---
title: "AP Physics 1 Study Guide: Everything You Need to Ace the Exam"
description: "Get ready for AP Physics 1 with our effective study guide. Learn unit priorities to maximize your exam success rate."
featured_image: "https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Nerd-Notes-AP-Physics-full-study-guide.png"
url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ap-physics-1-study-guide-everything-you-need-to-ace-the-exam/"
date_modified: "2026-04-18T02:17:56+00:00"
---

# AP Physics 1 Study Guide: Everything You Need to Ace the Exam

## 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/ap-physics-1-study-guide-everything-you-need-to-ace-the-exam/. **Publication:** Nerd Notes **Original URL:** https://nerd-notes.com/ap-physics-1-study-guide-everything-you-need-to-ace-the-exam/

Over half of students fail AP Physics 1. BUT our AP Physics 1 study guide is why Nerd Notes students score 5s.

We don’t want to keep you waiting so [click this link](https://nerd-notes.com/ap-physics-speed-review/) to get started with the Unit by Unit speed review.

Keep reading for a breakdown on how to use this AP Physics 1 study guide.

## AP Physics 1 Speed Reviews

Don’t have hours to spare? Nerd Notes 10 minute speed review are what you need. But if you could only pick 3:

- [Forces & Newton’s Laws — 10 Minute Review](https://nerd-notes.com/forces-in-10-minutes/)
- [Work, Energy & Power — 10 Minute Review](https://nerd-notes.com/energy-in-10-minutes/)
- [See all AP Physics 1 Speed Reviews](https://nerd-notes.com/ap-physics-speed-review/)

### Why those 3 topics?

AP Physics 1 has 7 units — but they’re not weighted equally. Here’s what we would prioritize if in time crunch.

| Unit | Topic | Exam Weight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Linear Kinematics | 12% |
| 2 | Linear and Circular Forces | 20% |
| 3 | Energy | 20% |
| 4 | Momentum | 12% |
| 5 | Rotation & Torque | 12% |
| 6 | Rotational Momentum & Energy | 6% |
| 7 | Simple Harmonic Motion | 6% |
| 8 | Fluids | 12% |

Units 2 and 3 alone make up nearly half the exam — start there.

## AP Physics 1 Practice Exams

If you’re really short on time, drop everything and just practice questions from [UBQ Quiz Lab](https://nerd-notes.com/quiz/). UBQ is a question bank with AP-style practice questions designed to mirror the real exam and perfect for last minute prep.

Specifically, complete the full-length MCQ mock exams and the full-length FRQ sets.

Here is a [full-length FRQ practice set](https://nerd-notes.com/quiz/?id=73) to try.

These are put together by experts who coach students to get a 5. Simply *trying* these questions will be enough to boost scores. ## 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/ap-physics-1-study-guide-everything-you-need-to-ace-the-exam/. **Publication:** Nerd Notes **Original URL:** https://nerd-notes.com/ap-physics-1-study-guide-everything-you-need-to-ace-the-exam/