Exam format reminder: AP Physics 1 is algebra-based — no calculus required. The exam is 50% MCQ (45 single-select + 5 multi-correct, 90 min) and 50% FRQ (5 questions, 105 min). The multi-correct MCQ format is unusual: 5 questions require selecting exactly 2 correct answers from 4 options. FRQ types include experimental design, paragraph-length argument, and quantitative-qualitative translation.
The 8-week schedule
| Week | Focus | What to actually do |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Kinematics — 1D and 2D motion, graphs, projectile motion | SUVAT equations (v = v₀ + at, x = v₀t + ½at², v² = v₀² + 2ax), 2D projectile motion (horizontal and vertical components are independent), position-velocity-acceleration graph interpretation (slope of x-t is velocity; slope of v-t is acceleration; area under v-t is displacement). Drill: interpret 10 motion graphs without equations — identify when the object is speeding up, slowing down, at rest, and changing direction. 20 MCQs. |
| Week 2 | Newton's Laws + Forces — FBDs, friction, Atwood machines, inclines | Newton's 1st Law (inertia), 2nd Law (Fnet = ma — the central equation of the course), 3rd Law (action-reaction pairs). Free-body diagrams: draw one before every calculation, every time. Normal force on inclines (N = mg cosθ), friction (f = μN), Atwood machines (net force over total mass). Drill: for every force problem, draw the FBD first, label every force with its type and direction, then set up Fnet = ma. 20 problems. |
| Week 3 | Circular Motion + Gravitation — centripetal force, satellites, Kepler's laws | Centripetal acceleration (ac = v²/r, directed toward center), centripetal force is not a new force — it is whatever net force points toward the center (tension, gravity, normal force). Uniform circular motion FBDs. Satellite orbits (gravity provides centripetal force: GMm/r² = mv²/r). Kepler's 3rd Law (T² ∝ r³). Connect every circular motion problem to Newton's 2nd Law: Fnet = mac. 15 MCQs, 2 FRQ practice problems. |
| Week 4 | Energy — work, conservation of energy, power, springs | Work-energy theorem (Wnet = ΔKE), gravitational PE (mgh), elastic PE (½kx²), conservation of mechanical energy (no non-conservative forces), work done by friction and its effect on total energy. Power (P = W/t = Fv). This is the highest-weighted unit at 20-28%. Drill: for every problem, decide whether to use kinematics or energy methods before calculating. Energy is faster when height or spring compression is given. 25 problems. 1 FRQ on energy conservation with a spring-mass-gravity system. |
| Week 5 | Momentum + Impulse — collisions, conservation of momentum, center of mass | Impulse-momentum theorem (J = FΔt = Δp), conservation of momentum (applies when no external net force). Elastic collisions (KE conserved, momentum conserved), perfectly inelastic collisions (objects stick together, KE not conserved), inelastic collisions (momentum conserved, KE not conserved — most collisions). Center of mass position and velocity. Drill: set up conservation of momentum equations before calculating — identify system, initial and final states, and whether the collision is elastic or inelastic. 20 problems, 1 timed FRQ. |
| Week 6 | Simple Harmonic Motion + Waves — springs, pendulums, standing waves | SHM: spring-mass system period T = 2π√(m/k), pendulum period T = 2π√(L/g). Note that pendulum period does not depend on mass. Energy in SHM transfers between KE and elastic PE. Wave speed (v = fλ), frequency, wavelength, period relationships. Superposition and standing waves: nodes and antinodes, harmonics for strings (fixed-fixed) and open/closed pipes. Begin FRQ type practice: one experimental design problem (identify independent and dependent variables, describe measurement procedure, draw a labeled setup diagram). |
| Week 7 | FRQ intensive — all 3 types under timed conditions | Practice all three FRQ formats every session. Experimental design: identify variables, describe how to measure them, draw the setup, state what graph to plot to show the relationship. Paragraph-length argument: write 1 paragraph citing physics principles by name (Newton's 2nd Law, conservation of energy) — not vague descriptions. Quantitative-qualitative translation: change one variable (e.g., double the mass) and explain qualitatively and quantitatively how the outcome changes. Full practice exam at end of week under timed conditions: 90 min MCQ (including multi-correct), then 105 min FRQ. |
| Week 8 | Full practice exam + targeted weak-area review | Take a second complete timed practice exam. Compare scores to Week 7. Review every FBD error (missing forces, wrong directions), every energy problem where you used kinematics when energy was faster, and every FRQ where your justification was vague. Mon-Thu: 2 FRQ problems per day in your two weakest areas. Fri: review formula relationships (not derivations — relationships). Rest before exam day. Exam morning: bring a pencil, ruler, and calculator. |
Get an AP Physics 1 schedule that adapts to your exam date
The AI generator takes your exam date and current unit progress and rebuilds when you miss a session. Tracks your FRQ type weaknesses — FBD errors, energy method selection, conceptual justification — so you drill the right skills each week.
Generate My Schedule FreeUnit weights on the AP Physics 1 exam
The College Board publishes approximate weight ranges for each content area. Energy is the single highest-weighted unit and deserves more dedicated practice time than any other. Mechanics as a whole (Kinematics, Forces, Energy, and Momentum) accounts for roughly 60–80% of the exam.
- Kinematics: 12-18%
- Forces (Newton's Laws): 16-20%
- Circular Motion & Gravitation: 6-8%
- Energy: 20-28% (highest weight — front-load calculation practice)
- Momentum: 12-18%
- Simple Harmonic Motion: 4-6%
- Waves: 12-18%
AP Physics 1 is algebra-based, but the challenge is not the algebra — it is the conceptual reasoning. The FRQ section rewards students who can explain why, not just calculate what. Budget time for written justification practice, not just numerical problem sets.
What most AP Physics 1 students get wrong
They forget that AP Physics 1 has multi-correct MCQ questions. Five of the MCQ questions require selecting exactly two correct answers from four options — not one. Students who move too fast through MCQs without reading all four options will miss these. The elimination strategy changes: you cannot stop at the first correct-looking answer.
They draw incomplete free-body diagrams. The most common FBD errors are: omitting the normal force on inclined planes, mislabeling friction direction, including forces that do not exist (a "force of motion" or "applied force" that has already ended), and failing to show tension components at angles. The AP rubric awards explicit points for correct FBDs independent of whether the calculation is right.
They use kinematics when energy methods are faster — and vice versa. Kinematics is the right tool when time is given or asked for, or when acceleration is constant and simple. Energy methods are the right tool when height, spring compression, or speed-at-a-point is given and time is irrelevant. Most students use kinematics by default for everything, which is slower and more error-prone on Energy unit problems. Teaching yourself to recognize which method fits the given information is a skill that must be practiced explicitly.
They write FRQs with numbers but no conceptual justification. AP Physics 1 FRQs — especially paragraph-length arguments — are graded on physics reasoning, not just correct numerical answers. An answer of "4.9 m/s" with no explanation earns zero or partial credit. The response must state which principle applies (e.g., "by conservation of momentum, since no external horizontal forces act on the system"), set up the equation, and explain what the result means. Students who train themselves to do this in practice earn significantly higher FRQ scores.
They mix up elastic and perfectly inelastic collision assumptions. In elastic collisions, both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved — this is rare in real life (billiard balls approximately qualify). In perfectly inelastic collisions, objects stick together and kinetic energy is not conserved, only momentum is. The exam will specify the collision type, but students who do not know the distinction will set up the wrong equations. Drill both setups until the distinction is automatic.
The 4-week compressed version
- Week 1: Kinematics and Newton's Laws. FBD drill every session. 15 MCQs per unit. Graph interpretation daily.
- Week 2: Circular Motion, Energy, and Momentum. Energy unit gets 3 of 5 sessions. Practice Exam 1 at end of week under timed conditions (MCQ only). Identify weakest units from results.
- Week 3: SHM, Waves. FRQ intensive: one of each type per session (experimental design, paragraph argument, quantitative-qualitative translation). Redo all missed MCQs from Practice Exam 1 with written justification for each answer.
- Week 4: Full timed practice exam (MCQ + all FRQs). Score and review. Targeted weak-area drill Mon–Thu. Rest before exam day.