The score of 4 is deemed by the College Board as “well qualified”, meaning that you know the material and could do well in the college class.
Table of Contents
Is AP Physics 1 Difficult?
AP Physics 1 consistently tops the list of most difficult AP classes. AP Physics 1 explores college-level content and covers foundational science knowledge. Students with strong math and science skills are most likely to earn a passing AP exam score.
How do you get a 5 on AP Physics?

How do I study for AP Physics 1 exam?
- Step 1: Assess Your Skills.
- Step 2: Study the Material.
- Step 3: Practice Multiple-Choice Questions.
- Step 4: Practice Free-Response Questions.
- Step 5: Take Another Practice Test.
- Step 6: Exam Day Specifics.
What AP Exam has the lowest pass rate?
Despite a reputation as one of the most difficult AP classes, Physics 1 is also one of the most popularโ137,229 students took it in 2021. Physics 1 has the lowest pass rate of any AP exam (42.1%) along with one of the lowest percentages of students scoring a 5 (just 6.9%).
What is the hardest AP class?
- Physics 1. 51.6% 8.8%
- Environmental Science. 53.4% 11.9%
- Chemistry. 56.1% 10.6%
- U.S. Government and Politics. 57.5% 15.5%
- U.S. History. 58.7% 13.0%
- Human Geography. 59.0% 11.8%
- European History. 59.3% 13.7%
- Statistics. 60.0% 16.2%
Whats harder Physics 1 or 2?
Is physics 2 harder than physics 1? Physics 2 is certainly harder than physics 1 because it is more abstract, has more irregular calculations, and has more challenging topics. Physics 1 is easier because it has topics that are easier to visualize and we are more familiar with.
What is the easiest AP class?
- Spanish Literature. 75.1% 17.6%
- Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. 74.4% 40.4%
- Physics 2. 73.3% 14.0%
- Computer Science Principles. 71.6% 10.9%
- Psychology. 71.3% 22.4%
- Computer Science A. 70.4% 25.6%
- Comparative Government and Politics. 70.2% 24.4%
- Music Theory.
What is the pass rate for AP Physics?
If scoring a 5 on your APยฎ exams is a goal, you will want to approach APยฎ Physics 1 with caution. This course has one of the lowest percentages of students who scored a 5 in 2019 at 6.7%. The overall passing rate is also lower than average, at 45.4%.
Is a 3 on AP Physics good?
What is a good APยฎ Physics 1 score? Earning a 3, 4, or 5 is generally accepted as scoring well on an APยฎ exam. As reported by the College Board, a 3 is ‘qualified,’ a 4 ‘well qualified,’ and a 5 ‘extremely well qualified.
How can I pass physics?
- Know what to study. Always stick to your textbook for the syllabus.
- Get your basics right. Start with the basics.
- Check the formulae and derivations.
- Look beyond numericals.
- Don’t overlook graphical questions.
- Make your own notes.
- Look and learn.
- Revise and practice.
Is AP Physics C hard?
AP Physics C โ E/M is rated as very hard to self-study relative to other AP classes, and AP Physics C โ Mechanics is rated as quite hard to self-study. A survey of AP alumnae asked for a rating out of 10 for how easy each class is to self study, with 1 = easiest to self study, 10 = hardest to self study.
Is physics 1 harder than physics C?
We all know that APยฎ Physics 1 is easier than APยฎ Physics C. We note that many of the APยฎ Physics C courses self-select for those motivated students or those with higher grades in Math. That is the reason for the ridiculously high rates for APยฎ Physics C as compared to APยฎ Physics 1.
How hard is it to self study AP Physics 1?
Believe it or not, AP Physics 1 is not that hard to self-study. With a plan and motivation, Physics could be Fiveable! Find the 2020 exam schedule, learn tips & tricks, and get your frequently asked questions answered on Fiveable’s Guide to the 2020 AP Exam Updates.
How many people fail AP Exams?
High school students often take college-level classes to save time and money in college, but there is one catch: You have to pass the exams in order to get the credit.
Is 4 APS too much?
Unless you’re applying to the most selective universities, 4 to 5 AP courses over your high school years is more than enough. For students applying to the most selective colleges, you might need 7โ12.
What happens if you fail an AP Exam?
But what happens if you fail an AP exam? Basically, nothing happens if you fail an AP exam. Whether you get a passing or failing AP exam grade, you can still go to college. Colleges do not take a look at the AP exam as the only a criterion for accepting or rejecting a student.
Is 5 APs too much?
You can definitely take 5 APs, but just make sure to stay on top of your work and spend a good amount of time studying to make sure you know the material.
How many APs should I take junior year?
eAchieve Academy recommends your student take core AP classes such as AP Sciences or AP Foreign Languages come junior year. It’s a good idea to take two to four AP classes junior year, but students should be careful to not spread themselves too thin.
How many AP classes should I take for Harvard?
Going up the selectivity chain, the average at Harvard is eight AP classes. To be competitive at some of the most highly selective colleges in the country, 8-12 AP courses may be the sweet spot amount, assuming the student can handle that level of rigor.
Is physics harder than chemistry?
Physics is considered comparatively harder than chemistry and various other disciplines such as psychology, geology, biology, astronomy, computer science, and biochemistry. It is deemed difficult compared to other fields because the variety of abstract concepts and the level of maths in physics is incomparable.
Should I take physics 1 or C?
AP recommends Physics C (along with AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC) for students aiming for engineering or physical science majors in college. However, taking AP Physics 1, Physics 2, and Physics C might be overkillโyou would lose time taking other science courses, like biology and chemistry.
Why is physics so hard?
Answer: Physics demands problem-solving skills that can be developed only with practice. It also involves theoretical concepts, mathematical calculations and laboratory experiments that adds to the challenging concepts.
What is the most popular AP class?
AP English Language and Composition is by far the most popular AP test, with over half a million students taking the exam in 2021.
How many APs should I take senior year?
Aim for four to eight AP exams in your junior and senior years. For competitive Ivy League schools, admission officers also want to see AP courses for core subject areas and additional courses. If possible, aim to pass about seven to 12 AP exams if applying to these highly selective schools.