AP Physics 2 Score Calculator
Enter your MCQ raw score (out of 42) and your FRQ raw score (out of 40) to estimate a predicted AP Physics 2 score from 1 to 5. The calculator uses the 2027 exam format: 42 multiple choice items (50% of the composite) and four free response questions worth about 40 rubric points total (50% of the composite), for a composite out of 82. The 1 to 5 cut scores below are unofficial estimates. College Board does not release exact cut scores, and they vary from year to year, so treat this as a rough practice estimate, not a guarantee.
Your scores
2027 format · 42 MCQ + 40 FRQ
How this calculator works
Method
01
Equal-weight scaling
Each section is scaled to 50% of the composite. The current format weights MCQ and FRQ equally regardless of raw point totals.
02
Composite out of 82
The MCQ section totals 42 raw points and the FRQ section totals about 40 rubric points, so the composite runs from 0 to 82. Enter your FRQ total across all four questions.
03
Cut scores are unofficial
College Board does not publish exact cut scores. The band thresholds here sit at the same percentages of the composite this site uses for AP Physics 1, whose exam has the same structure. They shift year to year; do not treat them as official.
04
Treat as a target
Use the prediction to set a buffer above your goal band. A composite that just clears an estimated threshold can drop a tier if the real curve is tighter that year.
Common questions
FAQ
What composite score do I need for a 5?
As an unofficial estimate, roughly 57 or more out of 82 composite points tends to map to a 5, which is about 70 percent. That is roughly 29 of 42 on multiple choice plus 28 of 40 on free response, in some combination. This is a third-party estimate only: College Board does not release exact cut scores and adjusts the curve each year, so treat it as a floor target rather than a fixed line.
How is the AP Physics 2 exam scored?
Section I (multiple choice) and Section II (free response) each count for 50% of the composite. Multiple choice items are 1 point each with no penalty for guessing and four answer choices per question. FRQs are scored by trained readers against published rubrics; partial credit is available throughout. The two sections combine into a composite out of 82, which is mapped to a 1 to 5.
Are these AP Physics 2 cut scores official?
No. College Board does not publish exact composite-to-score cut scores, and the curve shifts from year to year. The thresholds here are unofficial third-party estimates, set at the same percentages of the composite that this site uses for AP Physics 1, whose exam has the identical structure. For reference, on the May 2026 exam 72 percent of students earned a 3 or higher and 20 percent earned a 5, but that describes outcomes, not the cutoffs.
Is there a penalty for guessing on MCQ?
No. The College Board scores multiple choice on raw correct answers only. Always fill in an answer for every question, even if you have to guess.
Can I use a calculator on AP Physics 2?
Yes, on both sections. A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is permitted on both the multiple choice and free response sections, and Bluebook includes an on-screen calculator. The equation and constants sheet is also provided on both sections.
How accurate is this score calculator?
The composite math is exact: it adds your MCQ and FRQ raw points into a score out of 82. The 1 to 5 prediction is only an estimate, because College Board does not publish exact cut scores and adjusts them each year, and because the per-FRQ point split is not published either. Use the calculator to track relative progress on practice exams rather than to commit to a specific number.