AP Physics 1
AP Physics 2
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
Maximum questions: 50
Maximum points: 45
Your Estimated AP Score:
Understanding Your AP Physics Test Score
Preparing for the AP Physics exam requires more than just knowing Newton's Laws or Maxwell's equations; you need to understand how your raw work translates into that final 1 through 5 grade. Unlike a standard classroom test where 90% is an A, AP Physics exams are curved based on the performance of students nationwide and the specific difficulty of that year's version.
How the AP Physics 1 and 2 Scoring Works
For AP Physics 1 and 2, the scoring is split evenly (50/50) between the Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) section and the Free Response Question (FRQ) section. However, the number of points available in each section differs, requiring a weighting factor.
MCQ Section: 50 questions, 1 point each.
FRQ Section: Usually 5 questions totaling 45 points.
Weighting: To make them equal, the FRQ raw score is multiplied by approximately 1.11.
AP Physics C Scoring Differences
AP Physics C (Mechanics and E&M) exams are shorter and more intense. These exams typically consist of 35 multiple-choice questions and 3 free-response questions (15 points each, 45 total). The weighting for Physics C is also a 50/50 split, but because there are fewer MCQ questions, each MCQ point is worth more in the composite score than a point in Physics 1.
Score Cutoffs (Approximate Composite)
AP Score
Composite Range (0-100)
Performance Level
5
~70 – 100
Extremely Well Qualified
4
~55 – 69
Well Qualified
3
~42 – 54
Qualified
2
~30 – 41
Possibly Qualified
1
0 – 29
No Recommendation
Realistic Scoring Example
Imagine a student taking the AP Physics 1 exam. They get 32 out of 50 multiple-choice questions correct. On the FRQ section, they earn 25 out of 45 possible points.
Based on historical curves, a 59.75 usually lands solidly in the 4 range. To reach a 5, this student would need to improve their FRQ performance or get a few more MCQ correct to push the composite above 70.
function calculateAPScore() {
var examType = document.getElementById('examType').value;
var mcqRaw = parseFloat(document.getElementById('mcqCorrect').value);
var frqRaw = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frqScore').value);
var resultArea = document.getElementById('resultArea');
var finalScoreDisplay = document.getElementById('finalScore');
var compositeDetail = document.getElementById('compositeDetail');
if (isNaN(mcqRaw) || isNaN(frqRaw)) {
alert('Please enter valid numbers for both sections.');
return;
}
var compositeScore = 0;
var maxMcq = 50;
var maxFrq = 45;
// Set Maxes and Weights based on Exam Type
if (examType === 'physics1' || examType === 'physics2') {
maxMcq = 50;
maxFrq = 45;
// 50/50 weighting: MCQ counts for 50 pts, FRQ counts for 50 pts.
// MCQ weight = 50/50 = 1.0
// FRQ weight = 50/45 = 1.111
compositeScore = (mcqRaw * 1.0) + (frqRaw * 1.111);
} else {
// Physics C
maxMcq = 35;
maxFrq = 45;
// 50/50 weighting: MCQ counts for 50 pts, FRQ counts for 50 pts.
// MCQ weight = 50/35 = 1.428
// FRQ weight = 50/45 = 1.111
compositeScore = (mcqRaw * 1.428) + (frqRaw * 1.111);
}
// Basic validation
if (mcqRaw > maxMcq || frqRaw > maxFrq) {
alert('Input exceeds maximum possible points for this exam.');
return;
}
var apGrade = 1;
var cssClass = 'score-1';
if (compositeScore >= 70) {
apGrade = 5;
cssClass = 'score-5';
} else if (compositeScore >= 55) {
apGrade = 4;
cssClass = 'score-4';
} else if (compositeScore >= 42) {
apGrade = 3;
cssClass = 'score-3';
} else if (compositeScore >= 30) {
apGrade = 2;
cssClass = 'score-2';
} else {
apGrade = 1;
cssClass = 'score-1';
}
resultArea.className = 'result-box ' + cssClass;
resultArea.style.display = 'block';
finalScoreDisplay.innerHTML = apGrade;
compositeDetail.innerHTML = 'Composite Score: ' + compositeScore.toFixed(2) + ' / 100';
}
// Update max labels dynamically when exam type changes
document.getElementById('examType').onchange = function() {
var type = this.value;
var mcqLab = document.getElementById('mcqMaxLabel');
var frqLab = document.getElementById('frqMaxLabel');
if (type === 'physics1' || type === 'physics2') {
mcqLab.innerHTML = 'Maximum questions: 50';
frqLab.innerHTML = 'Maximum points: 45';
} else {
mcqLab.innerHTML = 'Maximum questions: 35';
frqLab.innerHTML = 'Maximum points: 45';
}
};