AP Physics C: Mechanics
Sign in to My AP or view free online classes and review sessions on YouTube.
Not a Student?
Go to AP Central for resources for teachers, administrators, and coordinators.
About the Exam
Important: Because of school closures due to COVID-19, we’re offering at-home testing for the 2020 AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam as well as free resources to help you prepare. For more details, visit the 2020 AP Coronavirus Updates AP Physics C: Mechanics exam page. Note that any related adjustments to 2020 AP Exams, such as length or content covered, may not be reflected on all AP Students pages.
The AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam will test your understanding of the scientific concepts covered in the course units, as well as your ability to use calculus when solving problems related to kinematics, linear momentum, and more.
You can use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator throughout the exam, and you will be provided with tables of commonly used physics equations and formulas. These tables are shared by both Physics C courses.
Exam Duration
1hr 30mins
1hr 30mins
Exam Dates
-
Mon, May 11, 2020,
12 PM ETAP Physics C: Mechanics Exam
May 11 is the updated 2020 date for the AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam.
Exam Components
Section 1: Multiple Choice
35 Questions 45mins 50% of Score
The multiple-choice section includes individual, single questions as well as sets of questions that refer to the same diagram or data presentation.
Questions may test your ability to:
- Interpret and describe visual representations of physical situations
- Formulate a testable scientific question or hypothesis and design an experiment to test it
- Analyze data shown in a graph
- Determine the relationship between physical qualities
- Solve physics problems using mathematical relationships
- Develop and support scientific claims with evidence
Section 2: Free Response
3 Questions 45mins 50% of Score
For the free-response section, credit for answers depends on the quality of the solutions and responses shown, so be sure to show your work. Some questions specifically ask you to justify your answer or to write a scientific explanation which includes a claim, evidence, and reasoning. This analysis may generally be in the form of writing, equations, calculations, diagrams, or graphs. One of the three questions in this section will include an experimental or lab-based component.
Questions may test your ability to:
- Interpret and describe visual representations of physical situations
- Formulate a testable scientific question or hypothesis and design an experiment to test it
- Create graphs and diagrams to represent data and physical situations
- Analyze data shown in a graph
- Determine the relationship between physical qualities
- Solve physics problems using mathematical relationships
- Support scientific claims with evidence
Exam Essentials
Exam Preparation
-
Practice in AP Classroom
Enrolled in an AP course? If you’ve already joined your class section online, your teacher can assign you practice questions through AP Classroom. Sign in to access them.
-
2019 AP Physics C: Mechanics Free-Response Questions and Scoring Guidelines
Review two different sets of released free-response questions and their scoring guidelines. These sets of questions are the two most commonly taken versions.
-
2019 AP Physics C: Mechanics Free-Response Questions Set 1
Review the released free-response questions to get an idea of the exam format and content.
-
2019 AP Physics C: Mechanics Scoring Guidelines Set 1
See the guidelines that the AP Program used to score the free-response questions.
-
2019 AP Physics C: Mechanics Free-Response Questions Set 2
Review the released free-response questions to get an idea of the exam format and content.
-
2019 AP Physics C: Mechanics Scoring Guidelines Set 2
See the guidelines that the AP Program used to score the free-response questions.
-
-
AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam Free-Response Question and Scoring Information Archive
Review free-response questions, sample student responses, and scoring guidelines from 2018 and earlier.
-
AP Physics C Equation Tables
This document supplies equations commonly used in physics as well as constants, conversion factors, unit symbols, and more. This document or one like it will be provided to you on exam day for either of the AP Physics C Exams.
Search AP Credit Policies
Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.