---
title: "Ultimate AP Physics 1 Study Guide: How to Plan For The AP Physics 1 Exam"
description: "Looking to ace the AP Physics 1 exam? Here's the ultimate study plan, including actionable steps for success + realistic practice questions"
featured_image: "https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Nerd-notes.com-prep-for-ap-physics-1-success-1.webp"
url: "https://nerd-notes.com/the-ultimate-ap-physics-1-study-plan-how-to-prepare-for-success/"
date_modified: "2026-04-19T00:10:39+00:00"
---

# Ultimate AP Physics 1 Study Guide: How to Plan For The AP Physics 1 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/the-ultimate-ap-physics-1-study-plan-how-to-prepare-for-success/. **Publication:** Nerd Notes **Original URL:** https://nerd-notes.com/the-ultimate-ap-physics-1-study-plan-how-to-prepare-for-success/

This study guide contains 5 resources and 5 pro tips to help you **get a 5** in half the time. In the end, I’ll outline a sample “learning schedule” used by my [Elite Physics Program](https://nerd-notes.com/physics/ap-physics-1-exam-course-5-weeks-for-a-5/) students.

### AP Physics 1 Exam Format

The first step in creating a study plan is to understand the exam format.

The new AP Physics 1 exam consists of:

- 40 multiple-choice questions (MCQ) – 80 mins
  - Understand the 10 skills and MCQ styles college board typically gives
- 4 free-response questions (FRQ) – 100 mins
  - Understand the 4 TYPE of FRQs and how points are awarded for each

#### 3 Steps for Success

- How to Ace the MCQ section:
  - Solve each questions **under 90 seconds** or mark it wrong. If its wrong go back and find a strategy to solve it faster.
  - Understand [concept pairing](https://nerd-notes.com/what-makes-the-ap-physics-exam-so-difficult/) and how to prepare for it.
  - Understand common questions *types* and how to tackle them
- **PRO TIP #1:** You can find over [1000 AP Physics 1 questions on UBQ](https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/).
- [How to Crush the FRQ section (Step-by-Step Strategies and Examples)](https://nerd-notes.com/how-to-crush-the-ap-physics-1-frqs/):
  - Understand the 4 main types of FRQ questions and common questions associated with each.
  - Understand *exactly* what you will and won’t be given points for.
  - Understand how college board wants you to provide evidence.

### Concept Pairing

**PRO TIP #2:** [Concept pairing](https://nerd-notes.com/what-makes-the-ap-physics-exam-so-difficult/) is the single most important thing understand before taking the exam. 

This involves using a combination of topics/laws to solve a single problem. For example, momentum and center of mass.

Another popular combination is [forces (unit 2)](https://nerd-notes.com/forces-in-10-minutes/) and [momentum (unit 5)](https://nerd-notes.com/linear-momentum-in-10-minutes/).

So while you [practice questions](https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/), identify concept pairs. Become extremely good at choosing which topics college board is asking you to use for each question.

If you’re looking for questions with concept pair checkout out [UBQ – a free physics question bank](https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/).

### Topics to know

There are 8 units each with their own quirks. The best way to review these is to use our free [Speed Review Series](https://nerd-notes.com/ap-physics-speed-review/). Each unit is covered in 10 minutes so you can quickly pick apart what you need to work on.

Here are the speed review broken down by unit. Read them + answer all targeted questions in the guides for maximum learning.

- [Kinematics](https://nerd-notes.com/kinematics-speed-review/) (12-15% of the exam)
- [Dynamics](https://nerd-notes.com/forces-in-10-minutes/) (16-20%)
- [Circular Motion and Gravitation](https://nerd-notes.com/circular-motion-in-10-minutes/) (6-8%) – Now a part of Linear Dynamics
- [Energy, Work, and Power](https://nerd-notes.com/energy-in-10-minutes/) (18-20%)
- [Momentum](https://nerd-notes.com/linear-momentum-in-10-minutes/) (12-16%)
- [Rotational Kinematics and Torque](https://nerd-notes.com/torque-in-10-minutes/) and [Rotational Energy and Angular Momentum](https://nerd-notes.com/rotational-motion/) (12-18%)
- [Simple Harmonic Motion](https://nerd-notes.com/simple-harmonic-motion-speed-review/) (5-8%)
- [Fluids](https://nerd-notes.com/ap-physics-1-fluids-dynamics-review-key-equations-concepts-made-easy/) (6-10%)

**PRO TIP #3:** Right now, grab a half sheet of paper. Before going through each speed review. Jot down as many [concepts, topics, laws, formulas, etc](https://nerd-notes.com/ap-physics-elite-cheat-sheet/) you remember.

Then skim through each speed review sheet to see how what you remembered vs what you missed. Then focus on the missed stuff.

****PRO TIP** #4:** You can get a 5 with just [15 equations and 20 concepts](https://nerd-notes.com/ace-your-ap-physics-1-exam-top-10-formulas-you-need-to-know/). Said differently, memorize a handful of equations. Everything else gets derived on the fly.

Having trouble or don’t know where to start. We offer a one-to-one program that has helped over 500 students score a five in five weeks. [Click here](https://nerd-notes.com/physics/ap-physics-1-exam-course-5-weeks-for-a-5/) to check it out.

### Gather Study Materials

Don’t spend hours reviewing notes or watching youtube videos.

To be successful in AP Physics 1, you must do two thing:

1. Take Mock Exams
2. Review Missed Questions

#### Mock Exams

I’ve worked with many students that have scored 5s. All of them did 100s of question and mock exams that I designed to mimic the exact AP Questions you’ll see on test day.

Right now, you can go to [UBQ Quiz Labs](https://nerd-notes.com/quiz/) to find MCQ and FRQ quizzes. Some target weaknesses while others target core concepts.

Here’s a [free full length 2026 mock exam](https://nerd-notes.com/quiz/?id=73), on what I think the 2026 AP FRQ Set will look like on the actual exam.

****PRO TIP** #5:** Practice [100 AP level questions](https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/) per unit. **AND** (this is important) fully understand the ones you missed.

Even for questions you answer correctly its worth looking at explanation how a pro would solve it.

That is why with every question on nerd notes there is a dedicated “View Explanation” button breaking down exactly how I would solve the question.

### Supercharge Your Study Schedule

Let’s create a study schedule based on the things we just discussed.

Dedicate the next 4 weeks:

- for taking mock exams
- for reviewing challenging areas

First take a [mock exam](https://nerd-notes.com/quiz/?id=48) to establish a baseline score. You’re initial score will likely be low (<50%) — and that’s okay.

Your goal is to increase your baseline score by 10% each week.

Allocate 4 hours a day, 4 days a week, solely to **review** and understand missed questions.

Remember this is a sprint, with no breaks.

If you’re having difficulty sticking to a schedule or need motivation, Nerd-Notes provides a [five-week program that increases your chances of scoring a 5.](https://nerd-notes.com/physics/ap-physics-1-exam-course-5-weeks-for-a-5/) The program includes all materials, a personalized learning schedule, and has helped over 1000 students score a 5.

#### Sample Schedule

| Week | Task |
| --- | --- |
| Week 1 | Take a mock exam. Determine your baseline score. Identify specific areas of weaknesses. Go over every missed question, in depth, understanding *why* it was missed. |
| Week 2 | Take a second mock exam. Aim to score at least 10% higher than you baseline. Once again, identify specific weak points in each missed question and do an in depth review. |
| Week 3 | Repeat the process from week 2. Now aim for BOTH accuracy and **speed**. [Time your self](https://nerd-notes.com/timer), and aim for a 10%+ improvement in score. If you miss this target, practice with a [tutor](https://nerd-notes.com/product/1-to-1-elite-physics-tutoring/) or teacher that can teach you problem solving strategies, specific to AP Physics 1. |
| Week 4 | Take the 4th mock exam. Repeat processes above. You should see another 5-10% improvement in score. Make some notes on frequent question types you see, strategies that work for you etc. |
| Weeks 5 – 8 | If you have more time, watch review videos ONLY to fill in knowelge gaps. Go back and use ADVANCED questions from [UBQ](https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/) to enhance understanding. Take as many more timed mock exams as possible. |

### Practice with Realistic Questions

Practice makes perfect, and practicing with realistic AP Physics 1 questions is essential for success.

- Use College Board’s offical papers for FRQs
- Ask your teacher for College Board’s practice MCQs
- Use Nerd-Notes [Physics UBQ](https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/) or [UBQ Quiz Labs](https://nerd-notes.com/quiz) for both FRQs and MCQs

### Get professional coaching

**PRO TIP #6:** Don’t be afraid to reach out for support when you need it.

Consider forming a study group with classmates or [seeking help from a tutor](https://nerd-notes.com/product/1-to-1-elite-physics-tutoring/) or teacher.

Discussing and solving problems with others can help solidify your understanding much faster and easier. ## 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/the-ultimate-ap-physics-1-study-plan-how-to-prepare-for-success/. **Publication:** Nerd Notes **Original URL:** https://nerd-notes.com/the-ultimate-ap-physics-1-study-plan-how-to-prepare-for-success/