For details on the 2024 AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam, check this article.
Unlike 2020 and 2021, when the College Board modified the AP exams as a response to the disruption caused by COVID-19, the 2022 AP exams will return to its original format.
This year, the AP exams will take place over a two-week period in May: May 2–6 and May 9–13.
The College Board may change the format, however, if schools are disrupted in the spring due to COVID-19.
“We’ll continue to monitor global, national, and local health conditions, putting the health and safety of students first, and if there are widespread school closures in spring 2022, we’ll provide options similar to those offered in 2021,” the College Board noted here.
We will, of course, update this guide if that should happen.
The AP Physics C: Mechanics exam for 2022 will be a full-length paper-and-pencil exam that students can take in school only.
Here is what you need to know to do well in the upcoming AP Physics C: Mechanics exam.
For details on the 2022 AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism exam, check here.
Will I get college credit for the 2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam?
Students who take the 2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics 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.
For tips on getting a perfect AP score, check out this interview with Dawn Mueller, an educational consultant with Tutor Doctor.
How long is the 2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam?
The 2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam will be 1 hour, 30 minutes long.
What’s the 2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam date and time?
The 2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10 at 12 PM local time.
What will be tested on the 2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam?
The 2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam will test students on the whole course content, so be prepared to answer questions on these topics:
- Unit 1: Kinematics
- Unit 2: Newton’s Laws of Motion
- Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power
- Unit 4: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum
- Unit 5: Rotation
- Unit 6: Oscillations
- Unit 7: Gravitation
What is the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam format for 2022?
The 2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam will be split equally between two sections: multiple-choice and free-response questions. Each section is worth 50 percent of the exam score.
You will have 45 minutes to answer 35 multiple-choice questions and 45 minutes to answer 3 free-response questions.
The chart below shows the breakdown of the exam components.
| Section | # Questions | Time Allocation | Exam Weight |
| I: Multiple Choice | 35 | 45 minutes | 50% |
| II: Free Response | 3 | 45 minutes | 50% |
You may use a 4-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, such as this TI-84 graphing calculator by Texas Instruments, on the exam.
Does the College Board offer any free AP Physics C: Mechanics exam prep resources?
The College Board is offering a number of free AP Physics C: Mechanics exam resources to students to help them prepare for the exam.
AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Tests
You can get examples of free-response questions from past AP Physics C: Mechanics exams for free. You can use these as practice tests to supplement other test prep materials you use.
Check here for the first set of free-response questions and here for the second set of free-response questions from the 2021 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam. You can also log in to the AP Classroom Question Bank for questions posed in the 2020 exam.
And check here for free-response questions from the 1999-2019 AP Physics C: Mechanics exams.
AP Physics C: Mechanics Courses
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 gives students access to the AP Daily: Live Review sessions for the 2021 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam.
What are my other options for preparing for the 2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam?
If you don’t have an AP Physics C: Mechanics review book already, check out TUN’s Textbook Save Engine to compare prices and get the best deals.
And if you would like to get one-on-one instruction to help you prepare for the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam, the Princeton Review offers private tutoring, available both in-person or online, for a fee starting at $206 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 2022, check TUN’s AP Exam Review for details on other AP exams.
