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With an average score of roughly 2.9 and only about 23% of students receiving a 4 or 5, the AP Physics 1 exam is among the most difficult AP courses. A College Board-aligned study guide with comprehensive unit coverage, FRQ techniques, and practical practice are necessary for success in addition to class lectures.
The appropriate study guide can safeguard your GPA, boost your confidence, and assist you in earning college credit if you’re a busy American student juggling AP classes, college applications, and test preparation. Students can prepare for the May exam with regular practice and a top-notch AP Physics 1 study guide, which will help them stand out to competitive colleges.
These College Board-aligned study guides are used by thousands of American high school students preparing for the AP Physics 1 exam. All resources follow the current AP curriculum framework and exam format.
| Study Guide Title | Description | Download |
| Complete AP Physics 1 Study Guide (2026) | Thorough examination of each unit with practice problems and solutions | Download PDF |
| AP Physics 1 Essentials Study Guide | High-yield concepts and FRQ techniques were the focus of the condensed review. | Download PDF |
| College Board Official Study Guide | Real AP questions with actual exam scoring guidelines | Download PDF |
| Visual Concept Study Guide | With color-coded units, this diagram-heavy guide is ideal for visual learners. | Download PDF |
| AP Physics 1 FRQ Strategy Guide | A specialized manual for writing high-scoring Free-response responses | Download PDF |
| Last-Minute Cram Guide (48-Hour Review) | Study guide with quick references for the final review before the testy | Download PDF |
A complete AP Physics 1 study guide must cover all College Board units tested on the exam. Here’s the comprehensive breakdown U.S. students need to master:
| College Board Unit | Topics Covered | Exam Weight |
| Unit 1: Kinematics | 1D and 2D motion, graphs, acceleration, velocity, and projectile motion | 10-16% |
| Unit 2: Dynamics | Tension, free-body diagrams, friction, forces, and Newton’s Laws | 12-18% |
| Unit 3: Circular Motion & Gravitation | Satellites, orbital motion, universal gravitation, and centripetal force | 4-6% |
| Unit 4: Energy | Power, kinetic and potential energy, work, and energy conservation | 16-24% |
| Unit 5: Momentum | Impulse, momentum conservation, and collisions (elastic/inelastic) | 12-18% |
| Unit 6: Simple Harmonic Motion | Pendulums, springs, oscillations’ period, frequency, and energy | 2-4% |
| Unit 7: Torque & Rotational Motion | Rolling motion, torque, angular momentum, and rotational inertia | 10-16% |
| Unit 8: Electric Charge & Force | Charge interactions, electric fields, and Coulomb’s Law | 4-6% |
| Unit 9: DC Circuits (Basic) | Ohm’s Law, current, resistance, and basic circuit | 6-8% |
| Unit 10: Mechanical Waves & Sound | Wave properties, standing waves, superposition, sound intensity | 12-16% |
Download the free resources now.
Critical for U.S. Students:
Energy (Unit 4) and Momentum (Unit 5) together make up 28-42% of the exam. Any study guide that doesn’t thoroughly cover these units is incomplete.
The 3-hour AP Physics 1 exam tests both conceptual understanding and mathematical problem-solving. Your study guide must address both sections equally.
| Exam Section | Format | Duration | Weight | What to Study |
| Section I: Multiple Choice | 50 questions (45 single-select, 5 multi-select) | 90 minutes | 50% | Conceptual reasoning, equation selection, qualitative analysis |
| Section II: Free Response | 5 questions (1 experimental design, 1 qual/quant translation, 3 short answer) | 90 minutes | 50% | Problem-solving steps, justification, FBDs, graph interpretation |
Your study guide must teach FRQ formatting, not just content knowledge. Many U.S. students lose 30-40% of possible FRQ points due to poor answer structure.
| AP Score | Qualification Level | % of Students (2024) | College Credit Likelihood |
| 5 | Extremely well qualified | ~6% | Credit at nearly all colleges |
| 4 | Well qualified | ~17% | Credit at most colleges |
| 3 | Qualified | ~26% | Credit at many colleges |
| 2 | Possibly qualified | ~31% | Rarely earns credit |
| 1 | No recommendation | ~20% | No credit |
The Study Guide Advantage:
Students who use comprehensive, College Board-aligned study guides consistently outperform the national average. TestprepKart students achieve 4s and 5s at nearly 3x the national rate (68% vs. 23%)
Not all study guides are created equal. U.S. students should look for these critical components:
| Essential Feature | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
| College Board alignment | Updated AP Physics 1 framework & exam format | Avoids wasting time on non-exam topics |
| Unit-by-unit coverage | All units with summaries, key equations, MCQs & FRQs | Matches how the course is taught and tested |
| FRQ strategy guidance | FBDs, justification, units, partial credit tips | FRQs = 50% of the exam score |
| Full-length practice tests | 2–3 timed, AP-style exams with rubrics | Builds stamina and exam readiness |
| Visual explanations | Clear diagrams, graphs, and charts | Physics concepts are easier to understand visually |
| Common mistake highlights | Frequent errors with fix strategies | Prevents repeat point-losing mistakes |
| FRQ sample answers | Scored examples with commentary | Shows what earns full vs partial credit |
| Equation sheet practice | Using official formulas correctly | Equations are given—but selection matters |
| Concept connections | Links between units and ideas | AP tests cross-topic understanding |
| Progress tracking | Quizzes, diagnostics, score insights | Focuses study time where it’s needed most |
For Students Starting in September / October
| Time Period | Focus | What to Do |
| Months 1–3 | Build foundation | Read 1–2 units/week, practice after each unit, make flashcards, join a study group |
| Months 4–6 | Deepen understanding | Review tough units, take diagnostic tests, target weak areas, practice FRQs weekly |
| Months 7–8 (Mar–Apr) | Intensive review | Take full-length practice exams, review all units, focus on FRQ strategy, do timed practice |
| Final Week (May) | Final polish | Light review, avoid cramming, review FRQ rubrics, organize exam materials |
TestprepKart specializes in AP exam prep for American high school students. We understand the unique pressures of balancing AP courses with college applications, extracurriculars, and maintaining a competitive GPA.
What makes our AP Physics 1 study resources different:
✓ 100% College Board-aligned content – Every unit, every topic, current framework
✓ Expert U.S.-based AP instructors – Teachers who’ve scored actual College Board exams
✓ Comprehensive study guides – Used by 10,000+ American students annually
✓ FRQ mastery workshops – Learn the exact formatting College Board scorers expect
✓ Diagnostic assessments – Identify weak units before wasting study time
✓ Flexible online access – Study anytime, anywhere, on any device
✓ Free practice resources – Hundreds of MCQs and FRQs with detailed solutions
✓ Parent communication – Progress reports and score predictions
Proven Results: TestprepKart students average 4.1 on the AP Physics 1 exam vs. the national average of 2.9.
| Common Mistake | Why It Hurts Your Score |
| Memorizing formulas without understanding | AP tests when to use equations, not just memorization |
| Ignoring FRQ practice | FRQs make up 50% of your score |
| Using non-AP resources | General textbooks include off-exam topics |
| Cramming the week before | Conceptual mastery takes months, not days |
| Not reviewing mistakes | Errors are your best learning tool |
| Studying alone when struggling | Support improves understanding and scores |
1. When should I start studying for AP Physics 1?
When classes start in September, it is ideal to start reviewing. But even if you start later, motivated students can still achieve great results with two to three months of concentrated study (February to May).
2. How many hours should I study for AP Physics 1?
Throughout the academic year, aim for 5–10 hours per week; in April, increase to 12–15 hours per week. A total of 150–200 hours of study time outside of class are advised.
3. What’s the best AP Physics 1 study guide for earning a 5?
Comprehensive coverage can be obtained by combining Barron’s or Princeton Review with the College Board Official Study Guide. However, the “best” guide will vary depending on your learning style; analytical learners prefer guides that focus on problems, while visual learners prefer guides that are heavy on diagrams.
4. Can I self-study AP Physics 1 without taking the class?
For most students, self-studying AP Physics 1 is not advised due to its extreme difficulty. For the experimental design FRQ, the course calls for practical lab experience. However, with the help of thorough study guides and internet resources, motivated students with strong math skills can achieve success.
5. Is AP Physics 1 harder than AP Physics 2?
AP Physics 1 is statistically more difficult because its average score is lower (2.9 vs. 3.2 for AP Physics 2). Most students are unfamiliar with the basic ideas introduced in Physics 1, and Physics 2 expands on those ideas.
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