INTRODUCTION: THE FIVE-STEP
PROGRAM
Welcome!
I know that preparing for the Advanced Placement (AP) Physics exam can seem like a daunting task.
There’s a lot of material to learn, and some of it can be rather challenging. But I also know that preparing
for the AP exam is much easier—and much more enjoyable—if you do it with a friendly guide. So let me
introduce myself; my name is Greg, and I’ll be your friendly guide for this journey.
Why This Book?
To understand what makes this book unique, you should first know a little bit about who I am. I have
taught all versions of AP Physics over the past two decades, helping more than 90% of my Physics C
students garner 5s on the exam. I am also an AP Physics table leader—which means I set the rubrics for
the AP exams and supervise their scoring.
I know, from my own experiences and from talking with countless other students and teachers, what
you don’t need in a review book. You don’t need to be overwhelmed with unimportant, technical details;
you don’t need to read confusing explanations of arcane topics; you don’t need to be bored with a dull
text.
Instead, what I think you do need—and what this book provides—are the following:
• A text that’s written in clear, simple language.
• A thorough review of every topic you need to know for the AP exam.
• Lots of problem-solving tips and strategies.
• An introduction to the student-tested Five-Step Program to Mastering the AP Physics Exam.
Organization of the Book: The Five-Step Program
You will be taking a lengthy, comprehensive exam this May. You want to be well prepared enough that the
exam takes on the feel of a command performance, not a trial by fire. Following the Five-Step program is
the best way to structure your preparation.
Step 1 : Set Up Your Study Program
Physics does not lend itself well to cramming. Success on the AP exam is invariably the result of diligent
practice over the course of months, not the result of an all-nighter on the eve of exam day. Step 1 gives