Night before
Physics 1 cram sheet
Every unit on AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based, with the multiple-choice weighting from the CED and the topics the framework actually names. Then the exam format and the 2025 score facts, sourced from College Board.
How the exam is scored
- Length: 3 hours.
- 42 multiple-choice questions, 85 minutes, 50% of exam score.
- 4 free-response questions, 95 minutes, 50% of exam score: Mathematical Routines, Translation Between Representations, Experimental Design and Analysis, Qualitative/Quantitative Translation.
- A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections of the exam.
In 2025, 67.3% of 174,992 students scored a 3 or higher, mean 3.12 (official score distributions). That is the published distribution. It is not a personal 1 to 5 predictor.
Units and MCQ weight
Unit 1: Kinematics
10-15% of the multiple-choice section
- 1.1 Scalars and Vectors in One Dimension
- 1.2 Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration
- 1.3 Representing Motion
- 1.4 Reference Frames and Relative Motion
- 1.5 Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions
Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics
18-23% of the multiple-choice section
- 2.1 Systems and Center of Mass
- 2.2 Forces and Free-Body Diagrams
- 2.3 Newton's Third Law
- 2.4 Newton's First Law
- 2.5 Newton's Second Law
- 2.6 Gravitational Force
- 2.7 Kinetic and Static Friction
- 2.8 Spring Forces
- 2.9 Circular Motion
Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power
18-23% of the multiple-choice section
- 3.1 Translational Kinetic Energy
- 3.2 Work
- 3.3 Potential Energy
- 3.4 Conservation of Energy
- 3.5 Power
Unit 4: Linear Momentum
10-15% of the multiple-choice section
- 4.1 Linear Momentum
- 4.2 Change in Momentum and Impulse
- 4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum
- 4.4 Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics
10-15% of the multiple-choice section
- 5.1 Rotational Kinematics
- 5.2 Connecting Linear and Rotational Motion
- 5.3 Torque
- 5.4 Rotational Inertia
- 5.5 Rotational Equilibrium and Newton's First Law in Rotational Form
- 5.6 Newton's Second Law in Rotational Form
Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
5-8% of the multiple-choice section
- 6.1 Rotational Kinetic Energy
- 6.2 Torque and Work
- 6.3 Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse
- 6.4 Conservation of Angular Momentum
- 6.5 Rolling
- 6.6 Motion of Orbiting Satellites
Unit 7: Oscillations
5-8% of the multiple-choice section
- 7.1 Defining Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
- 7.2 Frequency and Period of SHM
- 7.3 Representing and Analyzing SHM
- 7.4 Energy of Simple Harmonic Oscillators
Unit 8: Fluids
10-15% of the multiple-choice section
- 8.1 Internal Structure and Density
- 8.2 Pressure
- 8.3 Fluids and Newton's Laws
- 8.4 Fluids and Conservation Laws
Equation sheet: the Physics 1 sheet. Projectile, step by step: walk through a launch. Course hub: AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based.