There are currently four different AP Physics exams offered by the College Board: AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C Mechanics, and AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism. While AP Physics 1 and 2 are each algebra-based exams, AP Physics C mechanics and AP Physics C electricity and magnetism are each calculus-based exams.
All four of these exams are getting revised this year (2024-25) and the changes will go into immediate effect this May.
Summary of major changes:
Structure:
– All four exams will now be 3 hours long and have the following structure:
– 40 single-select multiple-choice questions in 80 minutes
– 4 free-response questions in 100 minutes
Content Overview:
– The fluids unit is moving from AP Physics 2 to AP Physics 1.
– AP Physics 1 will cover a few additional learning objectives related to 1) power, 2) rotational motion, and 3) simple harmonic motion.
– AP Physics 2 will cover additional topics related to waves and will separate the previous Geometric and Physical Optics unit into two units.
– AP Physics 2 will cover a few additional learning objectives related to 1) circuits, 2) blackbody radiation, and 3) Compton scattering.
See the College Board blog post linked below for additional information:
“AP Physics Revisions for 2024-25”
AP Physics 1 and 2
There is no physics prerequisite for AP Physics 1, which covers mechanics and fluids. According to College Board, it is helpful for students to have taken geometry, and students should be taking algebra 2 or have already taken algebra 2.
AP Physics 2 covers only non-mechanics topics (including but not limited to electricity and magnetism), but an understanding of mechanics is necessary to solve many of the problems, so there is a physics prerequisite of AP Physics 1 (or a compatible introductory course). According to College Board, students should be taking precalculus concurrently or have already taken precalculus.
See the College Board blog post linked below for additional information:
“The Difference Between AP Physics 1 and 2”
AP Physics C Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism
There is no physics prerequisite for AP Physics C mechanics, which covers all of the mechanics topics taught in AP Physics 1 and more, and tests those mechanics topics at a calculus-level.
AP Physics C electricity and magnetism covers all of the electricity and magnetism topics covered in AP Physics 2 and more, and tests those “E & M” topics at a calculus-level. As with AP Physics 2, while AP Physics C electricity and magnetism covers non-mechanics topics, an understanding of mechanics is necessary to solve many of the problems, so there is a physics prerequisite of AP Physics 1, AP Physics C Mechanics, or an equivalent course.
For both AP Physics C courses, students should be taking calculus concurrently or have already taken calculus.
The College Board has put together two summaries of the calculus relationships tested on the AP Physics C mechanics and AP Physics C electricity and magnetism exams, which are especially helpful for students who are taking calculus concurrently with AP Physics C.
See the College Board summaries linked below:
“Quantitative Skills and Advanced Calculus Topics in AP Physics C: Mechanics”
“Calculus Relationships in AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism”
In Conclusion
The College Board is making changes to all four AP Physics exams, effective May 2025. The revised exams will be shorter and feature updated content, including fluids moving to AP Physics 1 and new topics in waves, circuits, and more in AP Physics 2. Work with your AJ Tutor to better understand how these changes impact your AP test prep plan for the Spring.
