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AP Physics 1
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AP Physics 1 Overview
AP Physics 1 is equivalent to a 1 semester introductory level college physics class (algebra based), and lasts a full year. It uses inquiry-based investigation techniques and covers topics like kinematics, dynamics, energy, DC circuits, mechanical waves, and sound. There are no strict prerequisites, but students should have completed geometry and be enrolled in an algebra 2 class. 25% of the class is lab based, and some colleges require lab materials such as notebooks, reports, etc be presented in order to grant credit.
We’ll cover the , exams, and our pick for the best AP Physics 1 book, Flashcards, and Stufy Guides for test year 2023 below, but if you just can’t wait, here’s the short list:
Getting a jump start on college level study in Physics can be extremely helpful for students interested in pursuing a degree in the field. It’s also a strong choice for students who aren’t sure what they want to study at the undergraduate level. Whatever your motivation for studying AP Physics 1, we’re here to help you succeed!
Best AP Physics 1 Books
AP Physics 1 has several strong contenders for the best reviw book and study guides, which we’ve ranked for you above. Continue on for detailed information on each book!
Cracking the AP Physics 1 Exam
Pros: Comprehensive and complete review of exam and course.
Cons: Limited number of practice tests relative to other options.
Best For: Supplemental study aid for the duration of the course and leading up to the exam.
Our Rating: 5 / 5
Cracking the AP Physics 1 Exam is our top overall review book pick, and our #1 recommendation for students looking for a complete review of the course material. Princeton Review books are generally quite excellent, and the AP Physics 1 book is no exception. The full list of features include:
- 2 full length tests with complete answer keys.
- Practice reviews at the end of each chapter.
- Step by step walkthroughs of practice questions.
- Access to online portal with additional resources.
The Cracking the AP Physics 1 Exam review book has some of the best coverage of the important content of the test and class. With bonus material access through the online portal, this book is an overall excellent value and our top recommendation.
5 Steps to a 5: AP Physics 1
Pros: Best online content of any book on this list.
Cons: Can be difficult to follow in a few spots.
Best For: Complimenting required course textbooks for study throughout the course.
Our Rating: 4.5 / 5
A runner up for top AP Physics 1 review book is 5 Steps to a 5. It’s got some of the absolute top online content, which makes it a great choice. The full list of features for this book includes:
- 3 full length practice tests (2 in book and 1 online).
- Access to cross platform bonus material.
- Hundreds of practice excercises and answers.
- Proven test strategies for each section of the test.
Between the strong printed material and the stellar online features, you really can’t go wrong with this review book. It didn’t quite take the top spot on our list, but if you enjoy other works in the 5 Steps to a 5 family, this one won’t steer you wrong.
AP Physics 1 Essentials
Pros: Tons of examples with detailed explanations.
Cons: No online content, or actual full length exams.
Best For: Last minute review and cramming leading up to the exam..
Our Rating: 4.0 / 5
AP Physics 1 Essentials is a fantastic prep book for students who have a good handle on the material and want to practice problems like they would on the exam. It’s somewhat abbreviated, which is a plus for students short on time. Features include:
- Over 600 questions with full solutions and worked out answers.
- Covers all major topics in the AP Physics exam and course.
- Over 90 exam-style questions to help you prepare for the exam.
This book is a little different than some of the others on this list, but overall it’s highly recommended due to the sheer number of practice problems and answers. It’s best suited for those looking to round out their studying leading up to the exam. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive aide to use throughout the year, one of the other books on this list may be better suited.
Barron’s AP Physics 1
Pros: Good quality practice tests.
Cons: Less detail and depth than some books.
Best For: Supplemental course material, year-long.
Our Rating: 4.0 / 5
Barron’s AP Physics 1 book rounds out our list of top AP Physics 1 books. It’s got great practice tests, and an overall good review of the course and exam material. Features include:
- 3 full length practice tests (2 in book and 1 online).
- Diagnostic tests help you prioritize studying.
- Practice questions covering all sections of the exam and course.
- Tips for all exam sections.
It’s not our top pick for students looking for supplemental study materials, but it’s a decent quality book that won’t disappoint fans of other Barron’s books.
Best AP Physics 1 Flashcards
In addition to the excellent books mentioned above, AP Physics 1 students will see significant benefits in prepping for the exam using flashcards. Our top picks for Best AP Physics 1 Flashcards are outlined below.
AP Physics Exam Flashcard Study System
Pros: Comprehensive and well organized.
Cons: Some of the cards are relatively simplistic.
Our Rating: 4.0 / 5
Whether to go with AP Physics 1 flashcards is a question best left to each individual student. The cards can serve as an excellent compliment to other last minute review materials and example problems. Obviously, they aren’t as in-depth as a full on study guide, but for the right user they can be helpful.
There’s little need to memorize any of the course contents, but if you treat the cards as review questions, they can serve you well.
Course Summary
A full Course Description for AP Physics 1 is available from collegeboard.org.
AP Physics 1 covers 6 “Big Ideas”, which include the main principles, theories, and processes used in the discipline:
- Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge, and systems may have internal structure.
- Fields (e.g. electromagnetic) can be used to explain interactions.
- Interactions between objects can be described by forces (e.g. gravitational).
- Changes to systems can result from interactions between them.
- Laws of conservation bound the changes caused from interaction between objects.
- Waves can transfer energy and momentum from one place to another.
In addition to the big ideas listed above, the AP Physics course integrates 7 common science practices with the course content:
- The student can use models and representations to solve problems and describe phenomena.
- Students are able to appropriately use mathematics.
- The student uses scientific questioning to guide investigations.
- Students can design and implement data collection strategies to answer questions.
- Students can analyze and evaluate scientific evidence.
- Students understand and work with scientific theories.
- The student can connect knowledge across domains and concepts.
With such a breadth of materials and ideas covered in the AP Physics 1 course, it’s critical that students have a supplemental review book to score top marks.
Exam Summary
Students taking the AP Physics 1 Exam are responsible for demonstrating knowledge of the above mentioned concepts and themes. The student’s knowledge is assessed through a 3 hour exam containing questions in both multiple choice or free response format. The exam is broken up into 2 parts, each worth 50% of a final score between 1 and 5.
The AP Physics 1 exam allows for the use of a calculator (graphing or standard), and students are required to provide their own (see the collegeboard calculator policy).
Section 1: Multiple Choice
- 1 hour 30 minutes long and covers multiple themes and topics
- 50 questions (45 multiple choice and 5 with more than 1 correct answer)
- Accounts for 50% of the final score
Points are awarded for each correct answer, and no points are subtracted for incorrect or unanswered questions.
Section 2: Free Response
- 1 hour 30 minutes long
- Contains 5 open ended questions
- Accounts for 50% of the final score.
Questions in this section are either based on Experimental Design, Qualitative Translation, or Short Answers.
For exam dates, refer to The College Board AP Calendar.
Wrapping Up
AP Physics 1 isn’t the most popular AP level science course, but it is an excellent option for students looking to get a leg up. Since each student’s needs can be different and vary over time, we’ve tried to lay out all the pros and cons of each book and given it our own rating.
Our comprehensive list of top AP Physics 1 review books are outlined above. Which one is right for you will depend heavily on your specific circumstances. To recap our list of recommendations:
| Top Overall Recommendation | Cracking the AP Physics 1 Exam |
|---|---|
| Top Pick For Course Supplement | Cracking the AP Physics 1 Exam |
| Top Pick For Last Minute Prep | AP Physics 1 Essentials |
| Top Pick For Flashcards | AP Physics Exam Flashcard Study System |
Cracking the AP Physics 1 Exam by Princeton Review is our top overall pick and top pick for students who aren’t time constrained. It has a wealth of great information and it’s laid out in a logical and easy to consume way.
AP Physics 1 Essentials is our top pick for students facing more of a time crunch. It cuts out a lot of the fluff, and focuses more on example problems. It won’t help you go from 0 to 60 without a good understanding of the course material, but it will help you hone your exam techniques.
Whatever your circumstance, a supplemental study and review book is a key part of ensuring success on the exam. We’ve listed some of the best AP Physics 1 review books available. Good luck, and study hard!