I’m taking the class this year, but don’t have any prior knowledge on the subject. Math is my best subject and I always score top of the class, but reading the comments really disappointed me because a lot of people are saying that AP Physics I is not about math at all. What do you all suggest I should pay special attention throughout the year?
I took this exam last year and I agree entirely with @kylet800
Although you are allowed to use your calculator for the exam, there were maybe 2 questions on the entire exam that required more than simple mental math. Most of the questions give you a situation, and you have to figure out the outcome. Lots of diagrams and such.
If you’re wanting to self study, read this: http://www.quora.com/What-is-the-best-way-to-self-study-AP-Physics-1
What’s the best review book for AP Physics?
I second that @CS1211
How important is the significant figure in the AP Physics 1 exam? Like is it mandatory to answer in the correct sig fig?
ugh just read through this whole thread; my physics teacher rn is not accomodating for the new test at all, he gives us extremely difficult math problems and spends absolutely no time on concept based questions. does anyone have any tips on how to self study? bc honestly my teacher still has his head in his ass and thinks that his students take the course to nourish their love for physics instead of getting AP credits. what do i dooooo
@aao1997 @azwu331 @kgsoccer08 @Keyandlock @collegegirl116 @abcninja @deltea @imbohring and anyone else who managed to get a 5 or 4 on the AP Physics 1 exam last year, please help me!
I’m a sophomore this year and I’m taking AP Physics 1. Already half way through the course, I didn’t realize how difficult this exam may be and how hard it would be to get a 4 or 5 until I looked back at the distribution scores from the last exam.
I have some basic knowledge about physics (from my physics regents class), though I now know that its not enough to breeze through this course.
Anyway, what were your study strategies? What resources did you use to earn the score that you received? How much time did you spend studying each day? And any other advice/tips for the AP Physics 1 exam?
This would be extremely useful because I’m kind of having a mini panic attack since I’ve wasted 5 months of this year already, but I’m willing to go the extra mile to earn a 4 or 5.
My AP Physics teacher never taught AP Physics before, and she doesn’t expect us to rely on her to earn a good score on the AP exam because we probably won’t be able to learn all the topics anyway (Even though for this exam it is required for us to have double periods, we only have one because of the nycdoe :-?? )
Thus we have to put in the extra effort into self-studying which I’ve been slacking in but I’m working on fixing that. At this point I’m lost and definitely need some guidance from those who’ve managed to ace this new exam.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
When you answer a question - always use graphical or visual representation (in your head or on paper). Write down everything you know and what you’re looking for. I did not study for this test (physics comes easy for me), but what I DID do was focus on thinking about every problem in a logical manner. Substitute numbers in for variables on manipulation questions if you can. Don’t buy a prep book - try SAT II physics questions that relate to the topics in AP 1. Good luck!
@unsecretive I would recommend really reviewing concepts, because during the school year my teacher drilled the concepts into our heads, and the test ended up being heavily focused on concepts rather than being focused on doing math/ problem solving. (and if your teacher doesn’t do this already) I would recommend going on the college board’s website and printing off any FRQs that deal with the topics you are learning, because those are EXTREMELY helpful.
Thanks for the heads-up on the course being more “conceptual-based.” I prefer to solve problems mathematically, but I would have to accustom the adjustments certainly by looking over last year’s exam and the practice exam provided by Collegeboard.
I’m taking AP Physics 1 this year, and am really struggling with all of the concepts. Is 5 steps to 5 a good review boo for this exam? Are there any other review books any one else suggests?
I am using ap physics 1 essentials.
As a person who took the test last year, I used the Princeton Review’s AP Physics 1 Book and got a 5. However, the PR book was just a repeat of their Physics B book, so there was a bunch of unnecessary information in it. I’ve heard that 5 steps to a 5 is one of the best, but there aren’t many good books in the Physics 1 market as of yet.
Totally agree with the above posters though. The test was mostly diagrams and graphs and asked what would happen if this happened or that happened, rather than actual mathematics. Also, there is an experimental design FRQ, so prepare for that! Last year the experimental design was on electrical circuits, the one thing my teacher never really went over… 
What about AP Physics Essentials? Would that be a good enough book? Or is any book pretty much the same?
What review books did you guys use to get a 5? I am using Physics Essentials by Dan Fullerton. If I use that and I get A’s both semesters in Physics and do lots of problems, will I get a 5? Thanks
@unsecretive My AP Physics teacher never taught AP Physics before either, so he had no clue what was on the test. I was in the same situation as you last year! Don’t worry though, it’s not too late to pick it up.
In April, after I realized that my teacher was not teaching me anything, I decided to work through the material on my own. I picked up the Princeton Review book for Physics 1 and just went through and learned everything. The book wasn’t the best in terms of test accuracy (it was just a repeat of the 2014 PR AP Physics B book), but it contained the necessary information I needed to do well on the exam.
My biggest advice for you is to motivate yourself and self-study if you truly want to do well on the test. I learned most of my AP Physics 1 information during Spring Break, so you still have time to learn everything you need. It’s completely manageable, and your efforts will certainly pay off (I was the only one who got a 5 on the AP Physics 1 test in my class last year).
And yes, the test is mostly conceptual, so math skills are not the only things you need for the test. Don’t just memorize formulas and know how to plug in numbers; actually know how things work. This may be more difficult, but you shouldn’t be afraid to ask your teacher or consult online resources if you are unsure of what you are learning.
@RiceEater108 Physics Essentials is a good book, but just remember to practice with conceptual problems. I’ve heard 5 steps to a 5 and PR are good books also, so a wide range of resources wouldn’t be a bad idea. PR is faulty in that it does not have rotational motion (which is on the test) and has an entire chapter dedicated to electric fields (which isn’t on the test), but it’s enough to allow you to score a 5 on the exam.
Hopefully this helps! 
My AP Physics teacher is probably the most embarrassing. He has been teaching AP Physics B / 1 for 8 years and claims to have only had 4 students pass the exam out of those 8 years.
I can’t wonder why. We just started Momentum and Impulse. And if it weren’t for me, we would probably still be on Newton’s Laws by now. (I’m serious.) This is why I am self-studying by learning the content through Khan Academy and doing practice problems with my textbook.
@azwu331 Thanks for the information! I am going to start using Physics Essentials and I will get the 5 steps to a 5 book for more practice.
Does anyone know if the Kirchhoff’s Rule (DC Currents) is part of the AP Physics 1 exam anymore? The College Board course description has it on the Physics 2, but my prep books have it. Need some verification thanks!
Only resistor DC circuits are covered on the AP Physics 1 exam. Meanwhile, AP Physics 2 covers steady-state DC and RC circuits.