AP Physics Revisions for 2024-25

AP periodically revises course frameworks to ensure alignment with comparable introductory college courses and more clearly communicate the required course content and skills.

After the launch of AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based and AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based, we received feedback on ways to improve and clarify these course frameworks.

We’ve revised those courses—alongside AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism—to align the content and skills across the four AP Physics courses and provide more transparent, sequential frameworks for teachers and students.

The revisions take effect with the 2024-25 school year (May 2025 AP Exams).

AP Physics 1

Course Changes 

• 8 units—an increase from 7.
• Fluids (previously Unit 1 of AP Physics 2) is now Unit 8 of AP Physics 1.
• Adding connections between rotational and translational motion. 
• Adding specific learning objectives referencing power.
• Adding equations of motion for objects in simple harmonic motion.
• Uncoupling specific science practices from specific learning objectives. In the revised course framework, any learning objective can be tested with any science practice, which allows a greater range of questions to be written to the new framework.

Exam Updates

• 40 multiple-choice questions (MCQs)—a decrease from 50 MCQs.
• Removing multiselect questions.
• Decreasing Section I (MCQs) time from 90 to 80 minutes. 
• 4 free-response questions (FRQs)—a decrease from 5 FRQs.
• All 4 FRQs are new question types:
  • Mathematical routines
  • Translation between representations
  • Experimental design and analysis
  • Qualitative/quantitative translation
• Increasing Section II (FRQs) time from 90 to 100 minutes.

Learn More

For details on the revised course and exam, visit the AP Physics 1 course and exam pages.

AP Physics 2

Course Changes

• Fluids are no longer part of AP Physics 2 and have moved to AP Physics 1, as Unit 8.
• Including a full treatment of waves (mechanical waves, standing waves, sound waves, and the Doppler effect), which was previously covered in AP Physics 1.
• The previous AP Physics 2 Unit 6: Geometric and Physical Optics is now two separate units: Geometric Optics (Unit 13) and Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics (Unit 14).
• Renumbering the AP Physics 2 units beginning at 9, sequent to the 8 units of AP Physics 1.
• Including a more comprehensive treatment of circuits.
• Including topics about blackbody radiation (which connects thermodynamics and modern physics) and Compton scattering.
• Uncoupling specific science practices from specific learning objectives. In the revised course framework, any learning objective can be tested with any science practice, which allows a greater range of questions to be written to the new framework.

Exam Updates 

• 40 MCQs—a decrease from 50 MCQs.
• Removing multiselect questions.
• Decreasing Section I (MCQs) time from 90 to 80 minutes.
• All 4 FRQs are new question types:
  • Mathematical routines
  • Translation between representations
  • Experimental design and analysis
  • Qualitative/quantitative translation
• Increasing Section II (FRQs) time from 90 to 100 minutes.

Learn More

For details on the revised course and exam, visit the AP Physics 2 course and exam pages.

AP Physics C: Mechanics

Course Changes

Even though there were no major content changes, the course framework received the following revisions parallel to AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2:

• Making language consistent across all 4 courses where appropriate. For example, the AP Physics C: Mechanics learning objective for Newton’s third law now uses the same language as AP Physics 1.
• More clearly defining the scope and depth of certain topics that are assessed on the exams, such as gravitational forces within an extended mass and physical pendulums.
• Stronger alignment between the essential knowledge statements, the learning objectives, and the science practices.

Exam Updates

• 40 MCQs—an increase from 35 MCQs.
• Increasing Section I (MCQs) time from 45 to 80 minutes.
• Changing all MCQs from 5 options to 4.
• 4 FRQs—an increase from 3 FRQs.
• All 4 FRQs are new question types:
  • Mathematical routines
  • Translation between representations
  • Experimental design and analysis
  • Qualitative/quantitative translation
• Increasing Section II (FRQs) time from 45 to 100 minutes.
• Extending the format and timing to a full exam session.
• The exam no longer shares the same session in the exam schedule as AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism.

Learn More

For details on the revised course and exam, visit the AP Physics C: Mechanics course and exam pages.

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

Course Changes

Even though there were no major content changes, the course framework received the following revisions parallel to AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2:

• Making language consistent across all 4 courses where appropriate. For example, the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism learning objective for Ohm’s law now uses the same language as AP Physics 2.
• Adding language to clearly define the scope and depth of certain topics, such as the definition and properties of dielectrics and descriptions of LC Circuits to be assessed on the exams.
• Stronger alignment between the essential knowledge statements, the learning objectives, and the science practices.
• Renumbering the units beginning at 8, sequent to the 7 units of AP Physics C: Mechanics.

Exam Updates 

• 40 MCQs—an increase from 35 MCQs.
• Increasing Section I (MCQs) time from 45 to 80 minutes.
• Changing all MCQs from 5 options to 4.
• 4 FRQs—an increase from 3 FRQs.
• All 4 FRQs are new question types:
  • Mathematical routines
  • Translation between representations
  • Experimental design and analysis
  • Qualitative/quantitative translation
• Increasing Section II (FRQs) time from 45 to 100 minutes.
• Extending the format and timing to a full exam session.
• The exam no longer shares the same session in the exam schedule as AP Physics C: Mechanics.

Learn More in the Revised CED

For details on the revised course and exam, visit the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism course and exam pages.

Teacher Resources

To support teacher planning and student learning, we're adding free AP Physics resources to AP Classroom on a rolling basis:  

• Hundreds of topic questions and progress checks 
• Updated AP Daily videos  
• Comprehensive question bank 

What to Expect

• March 2024: The AP Course Audit opened for 2024-25. Learn how to reauthorize your course in the FAQ below.
• June 2024: AP Summer Institutes (APSIs) began training teachers on the revised CEDs.
• July 2024: We began updating AP Classroom with new progress checks, topic questions, AP Daily videos, and an updated question bank. We’ll continue adding resources throughout the school year. 
• Fall 2024: AP Physics teachers start implementing the revised CEDs in their classrooms.
• May 2025: Students take AP Physics Exams that align with the revised CEDs.

Send Us Your Questions 

Contact us using this feedback form.