AP Physics C: Mechanics

Exam questions assess the course concepts and skills outlined in the course framework. For more information, download the AP Physics C: Mechanics Course and Exam Description (CED).

Encourage your students to visit the AP Physics C: Mechanics student page for exam information.

The AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam has consistent question types, weighting, and scoring guidelines every year, so you and your students know what to expect on exam day.

Section I: Multiple Choice

35 Questions | 45 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score
Questions are either discrete questions or question sets, in which students may be provided with a stimulus or a set of data and a series of related questions.

Section II: Free Response

3 Questions | 45 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score

• One of the 3 free-response questions will include an experimental or lab-based component.
• Questions will assess all 7 of the science practices: visual representations, question and method, representing data and phenomena, data analysis, theoretical relationships, mathematical routines, and argumentation.

A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections of the exam.

2023: Free-Response Questions