In 2020, as a response to the disruption caused by COVID-19, the College Board modified the AP exams so they were shorter, administered online, covered less material, and had a different format than previous tests. But thousands of students faced technical problems and had to retake their exams.
This year, the College Board is providing 3 testing dates starting in early May for each AP exam with options for in-school and at-home, as well as traditional and digital, testing.
“While this year’s exam options look different from years past, this schedule will maximize opportunities for AP students in a variety of different situations to test and earn college credit and placement,” according to the College Board.
The AP Physics 1 exam for 2021 will be a full-length exam that students can take in school and/or at home, either traditionally (i.e., paper and pencil) or digitally, depending on the testing date.
Here are the key changes you need to know to do well in the upcoming AP Physics 1 exam.
Will I get college credit for the 2021 AP Physics 1 exam?
Students who take the 2021 AP Physics 1 exam will be eligible for college credit.
As in previous years, a student must obtain a score of 3, 4, or 5 to be eligible for college credit.
How long is the 2021 AP Physics 1 exam?
The 2021 AP Physics 1 exam will be 3 hours long. Students can take it in school or at home depending on the testing date (details below).
What’s the 2021 AP Physics 1 exam date?
The College Board is offering 3 exam dates for the AP Physics 1 exam this year. The times and locations vary by date.
| Date | Time | Location | Method |
| Wednesday, May 5, 2021 | 12 PM Local Time | In School | Paper & Pencil |
| Monday, May 24, 2021 | 12 PM Local Time | In School | Paper & Pencil |
| Wednesday, June 9, 2021 | 4 PM EDT | In School & At Home | Digital |
It is up to individual schools, though, to choose the exam options that work best for them.
What will be tested on the 2021 AP Physics 1 exam?
The 2021 AP Physics 1 exam will test students only on material from Units 1 through 7, so be prepared to answer questions on these topics:
- Unit 1: Kinematics
- Unit 2: Dynamics
- Unit 3: Circular Motion and Gravitation
- Unit 4: Energy
- Unit 5: Momentum
- Unit 6: Simple Harmonic Motion
- Unit 7: Torque and Rotational Motion
What will not be tested on the 2021 AP Physics 1 exam?
Starting this year, the AP Physics 1 exam won’t test students on material from Units 8, 9 and 10.
- Unit 8: Electric Charge and Electric Force
- Unit 9: DC Circuits
- Unit 10: Mechanical Waves and Sound
It is not necessary to test these 3 units because Physics 2 covers them, according to the College Board.
What is the AP Physics 1 exam format for 2021?
While both the 2021 AP Physics 1 paper exam and digital exam are 3 hours long, the format is different.
The paper exam will be split equally between 2 sections: multiple-choice and free-response questions. Each section is worth 50 percent of the exam score. You will have 90 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions and 90 minutes to answer 5 free-response questions.
The digital exam, however, will have more multiple-choice questions and fewer free-response questions. You will have 90 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions in the first section (as in the paper exam), which is worth 50 percent of the exam score. In the second section, you will have 45 minutes to answer 25 more multiple-choice questions and 45 minutes to answer 2 free-response questions.
For free examples of free-response questions, check here for the actual questions posed in the 2019 AP Physics 1 exam and here for those posed in the 2018 exam.
You can also practice multiple-choice and free-response questions within the digital exam app starting early April.
Is there a difference between the traditional and the digital AP Physics 1 exam for 2021?
Both the 2021 AP Physics 1 paper exam and the digital exam will allow you to use a 4-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, such as this TI-84 graphing calculator by Texas Instruments.
However, if you’re taking the digital AP Physics 1 exam, there are a few things you should know. First, you will be answering free-response questions with a keyboard, rather than by hand. You will be able to type your responses even if they include symbols as they’re included in the digital exam app. Second, you won’t be expected to draw or graph as part of your response. Third, you won’t be allowed to submit handwritten or photographed responses (unlike last year, when the College Board made an accommodation for the 2020 AP Physics 1 exam).
What device should I use to take the 2021 AP Physics 1 exam digitally?
What you will need to take the exam digitally will depend on whether you’re taking the digital exam in school or at home. In either case, you should make the determination of which device works best for you beforehand.
If you’re taking the digital exam in school, you will need a laptop (Mac, Windows, or school-managed Chromebook) that has a built-in camera. This can be a personal or school-provided computer. If it’s a school-provided computer, it must not be shared between students once the exam setup is completed.
To take the digital exam at home, you will need a laptop or desktop computer (Mac, Windows, or school-managed Chromebook) that has a built-in or attached camera. This can be a personal or school-provided computer. If it’s a school-provided computer, it must not be shared between students once the exam setup is completed.
No matter the type of device or who owns it, make sure that your computer is fully charged on exam day so it will last for the whole exam. If you’re taking the digital exam at home, be sure that your setup includes charging during the exam if necessary.
You should also install the digital testing app no later than the day before the exam.
You will, of course, also need reliable access to the internet if you’re taking the digital exam.
Is the College Board offering any free AP Physics 1 exam review courses?
The College Board is offering free AP resources to students.
The College Board’s AP YouTube channel gives students access to APLive classes and recordings delivered by AP teachers from across the country. Additionally, to help students review course content and skills before their exam, the College Board will give students access to AP Daily: Live Review sessions from April 19 to 29. You can sign up for the live review sessions here.
What are my other options for preparing for the 2021 AP Physics 1 exam?
If you don’t have an AP Physics 1 review book already, check out TUN’s Textbook Save Engine to compare prices and get the best deals.
There are also online resources that you can use to help you prepare for the 2021 AP Physics 1 exam.
Khan Academy
In partnership with the College Board, Khan Academy provides an official AP Physics 1 course that comes with free instructional videos, articles, and practice exercises created by current and former AP teachers. In addition, Khan Academy offers free exam skills and strategies.
Princeton Review
The Princeton Review offers a 6-Hour AP Cram Course for the AP Physics 1 exam. The course covers topics on Newtonian mechanics (work, energy, and power), mechanical waves and sound, and more. A Princeton Review expert will help you get ready for test day.
The course, which comes with a Princeton Review prep book, can be ordered online for $299. For now, there are 2 available Cram Course schedules.
- April 24 & 25, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern time)
- April 26 & 28, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Eastern time)
The Princeton Review also offers private tutoring, available both in-person or online, for a fee starting at $167 an hour. If you decide to go with this personalized option, expert tutors will work with you to “make a plan, set goals, and exceed them.” The Princeton Review guarantees that if you’re not 100% satisfied, they will match you with another tutor and your next lesson will be free.
If you’re taking more than one AP exam in 2021, check TUN’s AP Exam Review for details on other revised AP exams.
