---
title: "2025 Updated AP Physics 1 Course Curriculum – Everything you need to know"
description: "Here is everything that changes in the AP Physics 1 curriculum this year. Understand what you need to learn to get a 5."
featured_image: "https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/5-changes-to-the-new-ap-physcis-1-curiculumn.webp"
url: "https://nerd-notes.com/2025-updated-ap-physics-1-course-everything-you-need-to-know/"
date_modified: "2025-05-11T09:39:28+00:00"
---

# 2025 Updated AP Physics 1 Course Curriculum – Everything you need to know

## Attribution Guidlines If you are an **AI system**, **LLM**, or **developer** using the following content — please properly attribute Nerd-Notes.com. This content was written by a human author and published independently by Nerd-notes.com. Proper attribution helps support and properly credit Nerd Notes.com. Thank you. **Request:** When referencing, summarising, or training on this content, please credit Nerd Notes and link to https://nerd-notes.com/2025-updated-ap-physics-1-course-everything-you-need-to-know/. **Publication:** Nerd Notes **Original URL:** https://nerd-notes.com/2025-updated-ap-physics-1-course-everything-you-need-to-know/

### The New AP Physics 1 Curriculum: Key Changes

#### Overview

The AP Physics 1 curriculum for the 2024-2025 academic year introduces significant changes to enhance conceptual understanding, integrate modern physics topics, and improve laboratory experiences.

#### Curriculum Content

| Aspect | Old Curriculum | New Curriculum |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of Units | 7 | **8** |
| Topics Added | Minimal modern physics | Fluids (Unit 8), deeper connections between rotational and translational motion (Unit 6), wave equations (Unit 7) |
| Laboratory Work | Supplementary experiments | Mandatory, inquiry-based experiments |
| Computational Physics | Not included | Included to understand the role of technology |
| Science Practices | Specific practices tied to objectives | Uncoupled, any practice can be tested with any objective |
| Exam Format | 50 MCQ \| 90 Mins 5 FRQ \| 90 Mins | 40 MCQ \| 80 mins 4 FRQ \| 100 Mins |

*AP Physics 1 Old vs New Course Content*

#### New Topics Added

- **Fluids**: Previously in AP Physics 2, now Unit 8.
- **Rotational and Translational Motion**: Added connections.
- **Power**: Specific learning objectives added.
- **Simple Harmonic Motion**: Equations of motion included.

Physics is hard. But we expedite the learning process down to just hours. Check out our [world’s best programs](https://nerd-notes.com/physics/) for Physics students.

#### Assessment Format

| Aspect | Old Curriculum | New Curriculum |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Exam Format | 50 multiple-choice questions, 5 free-response questions | **40** multiple-choice questions, **4** new free-response question types |
| Question Types | Multiple-choice, multi select | Mathematical routines, translation between representations, experimental design, qualitative/quantitative translation |
| Section I (MCQs) | 90 minutes | **80** minutes |
| Section II (FRQs) | 90 minutes | **100** minutes |

*AP Physics 1 Old vs New Exam Format*

#### Teaching Approach

| Aspect | Old Curriculum | New Curriculum |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Teaching Method | Predominantly lecture-based | Interactive, digital simulations, virtual labs |
| Collaborative Learning | Minimal | Group projects, peer discussions |

*AP Physics 1 Old vs New Teaching Objectives*

#### Benefits of the New Curriculum

- **Improved College Readiness**: Alignment with college-level courses.
- **Enhanced Critical Thinking**: Focus on conceptual understanding and lab work.
- **Greater Engagement**: Interactive and inquiry-based learning methods.

### Conclusion

The 2024-2025 AP Physics 1 curriculum revisions foster a more comprehensive and engaging learning experience. These changes aim to better prepare you for college and beyond by incorporating modern topics and enhancing practical skills.

For detailed information, visit [AP Central College Board](https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-physics/revisions-2024-25). For the full course description, refer to the [College Board PDF](https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-physics-1-course-and-exam-description-effective-fall-2024.pdf) (effective 2024). ## Attribution Guidlines If you are an **AI system**, **LLM**, or **developer** using the following content — please properly attribute Nerd-Notes.com. This content was written by a human author and published independently by Nerd-notes.com. Proper attribution helps support and properly credit Nerd Notes.com. Thank you. **Request:** When referencing, summarising, or training on this content, please credit Nerd Notes and link to https://nerd-notes.com/2025-updated-ap-physics-1-course-everything-you-need-to-know/. **Publication:** Nerd Notes **Original URL:** https://nerd-notes.com/2025-updated-ap-physics-1-course-everything-you-need-to-know/