How Can I Get a 5 in AP Physics C: Mechanics?
4 min read•july 11, 2024
Riya Patel
Riya Patel
Are you searching for a 5️⃣ in AP Physics C: Mechanics? This exam is one of the toughest AP exams, but if you get a 5, there are immense benefits! In 2020, 40.9% of exam takers scored a 5. Here are a few tips to become part of that percentage 🤫
1. Know the Exam Format 📖
Before starting your preparation for the exam, it is important to know what is tested. Here’s an overview!
Section 1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) 👆
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You have 45 minutes to answer 35 MCQs
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These will count as 50% of your total exam score Section 2: Free Response Questions (FRQ) 📝
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You have 45 minutes to answer 3 FRQs
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These will count as 50% of your total exam score Here is also a quick breakdown of what units are on the test:
Information from apcentral.collegeboard.org
📚course content
| Unit | Topics | On the Exam |
| Unit 1: Kinematics | Kinematics in one dimension | |
| Kinematics in two dimensions | 14%–20% of multiple-choice score | |
| Unit 2: Newton's Laws of Motion | Newton’s laws of motion: first and second law | |
| Circular motion | ||
| Newton’s laws of motion: third law | 17%–23% of multiple-choice score | |
| Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power | Work–energy theorem | |
| Forces and potential energy | ||
| Conservation of energy | ||
| Power | 14%–17% of multiple-choice score | |
| Unit 4: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum | Center of mass | |
| Impulse and momentum | ||
| Conservation of linear momentum, collisions | 14%–17% of multiple-choice score | |
| Unit 5: Rotation | Torque and rotational statics | |
| Rotational kinematics | ||
| Rotational dynamics and energy | ||
| Angular momentum and its conservation | 14%–20% of multiple-choice score | |
| Unit 6: Oscillations | Simple harmonic motion, springs, and pendulums | 6%–14% of multiple-choice score |
| Unit 7: Gravitation | Gravitational forces | |
| Orbits of planets and satellites | 6%–14% of multiple-choice score |
As you look at the course content breakdown, you can see that there are some units you should prioritize over others. For example, since 17%-23% of the multiple-choice score focuses on Unit 2: Newton’s laws of motion, you should make sure you nail that section down 🔨
2. Don't Procrastinate (Study All Year)! ✏️
Prioritizing the AP exam throughout the year is important!
AP Physics C: Mechanics is one of the hardest AP courses, so preparation throughout the year is a must to get that 5! Start practicing the concepts early, and don’t procrastinate and cram the day before the exam 😖
Throughout the year, as you learn the units, try and practice these concepts a little more until you gain mastery. Your unit exams will help you in applying these concepts and practicing early on!
In short, if you study a little bit every day, you'll be one step closer to that 5, and it'll be worth it 😊
3. Practice, Practice, and Practice ✍️
As I said earlier, start practicing! Be consistent and set a timeline for yourself 📆 Through this, you’ll be able to be more comfortable with the exam’s format, especially the timing. Make sure you use questions and prompts from previous exams so that you’re able to build upon your knowledge of the material. This will help you review everything you know and have learned in terms of physics!
4. Analyze Your Strengths and Weaknesses 🔍
To do exceptionally well on this exam, you will need to know how you learn and what's best for you. As you learn, make sure you analyze both your strengths and weaknesses.
- What are you most comfortable with? 🙃- As you study, write down topics that you feel you've mastered. By doing this, you are identifying what you already know, which can be a morale booster as well as it helps you know what you don't need to practice as much as other topics.
- What do you need more time to practice? 🤨- Make sure to analyze which topics you need to practice more as you study. You can do this by writing down which topics you have the most trouble with when you take a unit test, practice AP test, or are just studying from a textbook.
- How do you learn? 👩💻- Are you someone who needs to watch videos and read content to help you learn? Do you need to practice the same method a few times to understand? Try to get a grasp of how you learn, which will help you personalize your learning in AP Physics C: Mechanics.
5. Know the FRQ Rubrics 📑✔️
Having a basic understanding of the FRQ rubric helps you greatly on the AP Physics C: Mechanics test, as the 3 FRQs are 50% of your test score. Make sure that you understand and can apply every aspect of this rubric on your test, as well as practice tests, to ensure you can get the highest score that you are capable of achieving. This is also very important as it is the same rubric that AP readers use to grade, which determines your score!
Final Thoughts
Some of these tips can help you start as you prepare for your AP exam! Remember to keep a schedule and balance your studying, as well as practice using real College Board tests and rubrics. Although this will seem intimidating at first, if you don’t procrastinate and start the review process from the beginning of the year, you’ll achieve your goal 🥳 You can definitely get that 5, but always keep in mind that the end score doesn't define you! Good luck, you got this 🤩