you the background and structure you need before you even start exam preparation.
Step 2 : Determine Your Test Readiness
I have included a diagnostic test, of course, broken down by topic. But more important to your
preparation are the fundamentals quizzes in Chapter 4 . These quizzes, a unique feature of the 5 Steps to
a 5 program, are different from test-style problems.
A problem on the AP exam usually requires considerable problem solving or critical thinking skills.
Rare is the AP question that asks about straightforward facts that you can memorize—you’ll get maybe
two of those on the entire 70-question multiple-choice test. Rather than asking you to spit out facts, the AP
exam asks you to use the facts you know to reason deeply about a physical situation. But if you don’t know
the fundamental facts, you certainly won’t be able to reason deeply about anything!
Thus, a good place to start your test preparation is by quizzing yourself. Find out what fundamental
facts you know, and which you need to know. The 5 Steps fundamentals quizzes will diagnose your areas
of strength and weakness. Once you can answer every question on a fundamentals quiz quickly and
accurately, you are ready for deeper questions that will challenge you on the AP exam.
Step 3 : Develop Strategies for Success
Yes, yes, I know you’ve been listening to general test-taking advice for most of your life. Yet, I have
physics-specific advice for you. An AP physics test requires a dramatically different approach than does
a state standards test or an SAT.
I start you with the secret weapon in attacking an AP test: memorizing equations. I explain why you
should memorize, then I suggest some ways to make the learning process smoother. Next, I move on to
discuss the major types of questions you’ll see on the AP exam, and how to approach each with
confidence.
Finally, I present you with drills on some of the most common physics situations tested on the AP
exams. These exercises will allow you to conquer any fear or uncertainty you may have about your skills.
Step 4 : Review the Knowledge You Need to Score High
This is a comprehensive review of all the topics on the AP exam. Now, you’ve probably been in an AP
Physics class all year; you’ve likely read^1 your textbook. This review is meant to be just that—review , in
a readable format, and focused exclusively on the AP exam.
These review chapters are appropriate both for quick skimming, to remind yourself of salient points,
and for in-depth study, working through each practice problem. I do not go into nearly as much detail as a
standard textbook; but the advantage of this lack of detail is that you can focus only on those issues
germane to the AP Physics exams.
Step 5 : Build Your Test-Taking Confidence
Here is your full-length practice test. Unlike other practice tests you may take, this one comes with
thorough explanations. One of the most important elements in learning physics is making, and then learning
from, mistakes. I don’t just tell you what you got wrong; I explain why your answer is wrong, and how to
do the problem correctly. It’s okay to make a mistake here, because if you do, you won’t make that same
mistake again on that Monday in mid-May.