CHAPTER 2

What You Need to Know About the AP Physics C Exams

IN THIS CHAPTER
Summary: Learn what topics are tested, how the test is scored, and basic test-taking information.

Key Ideas
Most colleges will award credit for a score of 4 or 5, some for a 3.
Multiple-choice questions account for half of your final score.
There is no penalty for guessing on the multiple-choice questions. You should answer every question.
Free-response questions account for half of your final score.
Your composite score on the two test sections is converted to a score on the 1-to-5 scale.

Background Information

The AP Physics exam was first offered by the College Board in 1954. Since then, the number of students
taking the test has grown rapidly. In 2015, more than 70,000 students took at least one of the AP Physics C
exams, and those numbers go up every year.

Some Frequently Asked Questions About the AP Physics C Exams

Why Should I Take an AP Physics Exam?

Many of you take the AP Physics exam because you are seeking college credit. The majority of colleges
and universities will award you some sort of credit for scoring a 4 or a 5. A smaller number of schools
will even accept a 3 on the exam. This means you are one or two courses closer to graduation before you
even start college!
Therefore, one compelling reason to take the AP exam is economic. How much does a college course
cost, even at a relatively inexpensive school? You’re talking several thousand dollars. If you can save
those thousands of dollars by paying less than a hundred dollars now, why not do so?
Even if you do not score high enough to earn college credit, the fact that you elected to enroll in AP