Total number of correct answers on the 50 multiple-choice questions.
Section II: Free Response (FRQ)
Estimated Composite Score: / 100
Predicted AP Score:
5
Understanding the AP Physics 1 Scoring System
The AP Physics 1 exam is graded on two distinct sections, each contributing 50% to your final composite score. This calculator uses the standard weighting formula provided by the College Board to estimate your result.
Section I: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
The first section consists of 50 questions. Unlike some other exams, there is no penalty for guessing. Your raw score is simply the number of correct answers. Since this section accounts for 50 points of the 100-point composite score, each MCQ is worth exactly 1 point toward your final grade.
Section II: Free Response Questions (FRQ)
The FRQ section is worth a total of 45 raw points across five questions. To make this section equal to 50% of the total score, your raw FRQ points are multiplied by a factor (approximately 1.11). The questions break down as follows:
Experimental Design (12 pts): Requires you to design an experiment and analyze data.
Qualitative/Quantitative Translation (12 pts): Focuses on translating between mathematical expressions and conceptual descriptions.
Paragraph Argument Short Answer (7 pts): Requires a coherent, logical argument in paragraph form.
Short Answer Questions (7 pts each): Two questions focusing on various physics concepts.
Realistic Score Cutoffs
While the exact "curves" change every year based on the difficulty of the specific exam, the general ranges for AP Physics 1 are often as follows:
AP Score
Composite Range (approx.)
Description
5
70 – 100
Extremely well qualified
4
55 – 69
Well qualified
3
40 – 54
Qualified
2
30 – 39
Possibly qualified
1
0 – 29
No recommendation
Calculation Example
If you get 35 multiple-choice questions correct and earn 25 out of 45 points on the FRQs:
MCQ Weighted: 35 x 1.0 = 35.0
FRQ Weighted: 25 x 1.111 = 27.78
Composite Score: 35.0 + 27.78 = 62.78
Predicted AP Score: 4 (Well Qualified)
function calculateAPScore() {
// Get MCQ values
var mcqCorrect = parseFloat(document.getElementById('mcq_correct').value);
if (isNaN(mcqCorrect) || mcqCorrect 50) mcqCorrect = 50;
// Get FRQ values
var frq1 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frq1').value) || 0;
var frq2 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frq2').value) || 0;
var frq3 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frq3').value) || 0;
var frq4 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frq4').value) || 0;
var frq5 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frq5').value) || 0;
// Constrain FRQ values to their max points
if (frq1 > 12) frq1 = 12;
if (frq2 > 12) frq2 = 12;
if (frq3 > 7) frq3 = 7;
if (frq4 > 7) frq4 = 7;
if (frq5 > 7) frq5 = 7;
// Weighted calculations
// MCQ is 50% of the grade, 50 questions = 1.0 multiplier
var weightedMCQ = mcqCorrect;
// FRQ is 50% of the grade, 45 max points
var totalFRQRaw = frq1 + frq2 + frq3 + frq4 + frq5;
var weightedFRQ = (totalFRQRaw / 45) * 50;
// Composite Score (0 – 100)
var composite = Math.round((weightedMCQ + weightedFRQ) * 100) / 100;
// Determine AP Score
var apScore = 1;
var desc = "";
var color = "#003366";
if (composite >= 70) {
apScore = 5;
desc = "Excellent! You have a high probability of earning a 5.";
color = "#2e7d32";
} else if (composite >= 55) {
apScore = 4;
desc = "Great job! This score puts you solidly in the 4 range.";
color = "#1976d2";
} else if (composite >= 40) {
apScore = 3;
desc = "Good effort. You are on track for a passing score of 3.";
color = "#f57c00";
} else if (composite >= 30) {
apScore = 2;
desc = "You are close to passing. More focus on FRQ logic could bump you to a 3.";
color = "#d32f2f";
} else {
apScore = 1;
desc = "Keep studying! Focus on core concepts and unit analysis.";
color = "#b71c1c";
}
// Display results
document.getElementById('composite-score').innerHTML = composite.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('ap-grade').innerHTML = apScore;
document.getElementById('ap-grade').style.color = color;
document.getElementById('score-description').innerHTML = desc;
document.getElementById('result-box').style.display = 'block';
// Smooth scroll to result
document.getElementById('result-box').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' });
}