How I Scored a 5 on AP Physics C: A Freshman’s Guide
As a freshman in college, looking back on my AP Physics C exam feels like a huge accomplishment. Scoring a 5 wasn’t something that happened by chance. It was a result of hard work, smart strategies, and using the right resources. If you're aiming for a high score on this exam, here’s how I did it, and how you can too.
1. Mastering the Fundamentals
The most important step in preparing for AP Physics C was ensuring that I fully understood the core concepts. Physics C is calculus-based, meaning you need to understand both the physics and the math behind it. I started by revisiting the basics—especially Newton’s Laws, kinematics, and energy principles. Every time I encountered a concept that was confusing or unclear, I’d pause and go back to the theory behind it. For example, when studying rotational motion, I spent extra time understanding torque, angular velocity, and moment of inertia. These concepts are foundational, and once I had them down, it made solving problems much easier.
2. Diving Deep into Calculus
One of the toughest parts of AP Physics C is the calculus. Even though I had taken AP Calculus, I found that I needed to brush up on specific calculus concepts, especially derivatives and integrals. A good example is when I had to solve problems involving acceleration and velocity, like a body moving under the influence of gravity. These problems required me to apply derivatives to find velocity from position-time graphs. Similarly, when dealing with electric fields, I had to apply integrals to calculate the electric flux using Gauss’s Law.
I didn’t just rely on what I learned in class. I spent extra time outside of class using Khan Academy videos and reviewing calculus concepts in my AP Calculus notes. This helped me connect the dots between math and physics and prepared me to solve problems more efficiently.
3. Daily Problem Practice
AP Physics C is all about problem-solving. I committed to doing at least 10–15 problems a day. I started with basic problems to reinforce the concepts, then gradually moved to more complex, multi-step problems that integrated several principles. The College Board’s AP Physics C Practice Exams were invaluable in simulating real exam questions. I also used Princeton Review and Barron’s practice books, which offered tons of problems with solutions and explanations. By doing this daily practice, I became more comfortable with the types of problems I would encounter and developed the confidence to handle tricky questions.
4. Utilizing Multiple Resources
I didn’t just rely on my textbook for learning. Flipping Physics was a great YouTube resource for me, where I could watch quick, clear explanations of concepts I struggled with. The Physics Classroom website was also helpful for interactive lessons on topics like electric circuits and magnetic fields. I often revisited these resources when I didn’t understand a topic completely. The combination of these different resources helped me approach problems from various angles.
5. Timed Practice Tests
A few weeks before the exam, I started doing full-length timed practice exams under real exam conditions. This was crucial for improving my pacing. The AP Physics C exam is time-sensitive, and I needed to get used to working under pressure. I found that I could easily lose track of time, especially on the free-response section, so I practiced managing my time wisely. For example, I made sure to allocate no more than 20 minutes per free-response question to leave enough time to review my answers at the end.
6. Staying Consistent and Reflecting
One key thing I did was to review my mistakes thoroughly. After every practice exam, I would go back and analyze every problem I got wrong—not just to figure out the right answer, but to understand why I made the mistake. This process helped me learn how to approach similar problems differently next time. Staying consistent with this review process helped me avoid repeating the same errors.
Conclusion
Scoring a 5 on AP Physics C wasn’t just about getting the right answers—it was about mastering the content, applying calculus correctly, and practicing under exam conditions. It took time, but with the right preparation and mindset, it was definitely achievable. If you’re about to take this exam, focus on building a deep understanding of the core concepts, practice every day, and don’t be afraid to use multiple resources to strengthen your weak areas. With persistence, you’ll be ready to tackle any problem that comes your way.