courses tells admission committees that you are a high achiever and serious about your education. In
recent years, about 60% of students have scored a 3 or higher on their AP Physics C exam.
You’ll hear a whole lot of misinformation about AP credit policies. Don’t believe anything a friend
(or even an adult) tells you; instead, find out for yourself. A good way to learn about the AP credit policy
of the school you’re interested in is to look it up on the College Board’s official Web site, at
[http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp . Even better, contact the registrar’s](http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp . Even better, contact the registrar’s)
office or the physics department chairman at the college directly.
What Are the Different AP Physics Courses?
You can take various AP Physics courses. They differ in both the range of topics covered and the level at
which those topics are tested. Here’s the rundown:
Physics 1 and Physics 2 (Algebra Based)
Physics 1 is intended to simulate the first semester of the standard algebra-based college physics course.
It covers classical mechanics, waves, and circuits. Physics 2 is intended to simulate the second semester
of the college course, covering electromagnetism, thermodynamics, fluids, and atomic physics. Although
they mimic semester courses in college, each of these is a full-year high school course.
When the College Board says “algebra based,” they mean it—not only is no calculus necessary, but no
mathematics beyond definitions of the basic trig functions are required. Most of the Physics 1 and 2 exams
require verbal, not mathematical, responses.
Physics 1 in particular is ideal for ALL college-bound high school students. For those who intend to
major in math or the heavy-duty sciences, Physics 1 and Physics 2 serve as perfect introduction to
college-level work. For those who want nothing to do with physics after high school, Physics 1 and
Physics 2 are terrific terminal courses—you get exposure to many facets of physics at a rigorous yet
understandable level.
Physics C
These courses are ONLY for those who have already taken a solid introductory physics course and are
considering a career in math or science. Some schools teach Physics C as a follow-up to Physics 1, but as
long as you’ve had a rigorous introduction to the subject, that introduction does not have to be at the AP
level.
Physics C is two separate courses: (1) Newtonian Mechanics, and (2) Electricity and Magnetism. Of
course, the Physics 1 and 2 courses cover these topics as well. However, the C courses go into greater
depth and detail. The problems are more involved, and they demand a higher level of conceptual
understanding. You can take either or both 90-minute Physics C exams.
The C courses require some calculus. Although much of the material can be handled without it, you
should be taking a good calculus course concurrently.
Is Physics C Better than Physics 1/2? Should I Take more than One Exam?
We strongly recommend taking only the exam that your high school AP course prepared you for. Physics C
is not considered “better” than Physics 1 in the eyes of colleges and scholarship committees; they are
different courses with different intended audiences. It is far better to do well on the exam that your class
prepared you for than to do poorly on multiple exams.
What Is the Format of the Exam?
Table 2.1 summarizes the format of the AP Physics C exams.