AP Physics 1 · Exam guide
AP Physics 1 FRQ Guide: Experimental Design, Translation and Written Arguments
The AP Physics 1 exam has 40 multiple-choice questions and 4 free-response questions, and the free-response half is 50 percent of your score. The section always includes an experimental design question and a qualitative/quantitative translation question, along with questions that ask for a short written argument. Both of the named question types reward the same habit: connecting an equation to a sentence.
The question types
| Type | What you do |
|---|---|
| Experimental design | Plan an experiment: say what to measure, what equipment to use, what to change, what to keep the same, and how to analyze the data. |
| Qualitative/quantitative translation | Connect a calculation to a written explanation, and a written claim to an equation or a graph. |
| Written argument | Make a claim and support it with physics principles in a short paragraph. |
| Short answer | Apply one idea with a brief calculation or explanation. |
In this course, g is 10 m/s\(^2\), matching the current exam. Always show the equation you start from, the numbers you substitute, and the answer with units.
A worked quantitative step
A block is released from rest at the top of a frictionless ramp that is 0.80 m high. Find its speed at the bottom.
- Energy is conserved: \(mgh = \tfrac{1}{2}mv^2\), so the mass cancels.
- \(v = \sqrt{2gh} = \sqrt{2(10)(0.80)} = \sqrt{16} = 4\) m/s.
The translation part might then say: a student claims a heavier block would reach the bottom faster. Evaluate the claim.
It states a conclusion with no physics behind it.
It points to the equation, shows why mass cancels, and answers the question.
How to answer an experimental design question
- Name the independent variable (what you change) and the dependent variable (what you measure).
- List the equipment and say what each item measures.
- Describe the procedure in steps another person could follow, including how many trials you would run.
- Say how you will use the data, for example by graphing one quantity against another so the slope gives the value you want.
- Name one thing you would keep constant so the test is fair.
Common mistakes
- Writing a number with no units, or with the wrong units.
- Using an equation without writing it down first. Graders credit the equation separately.
- Giving a procedure with no measurable quantity, such as "watch what happens".
- Writing an explanation that restates the question instead of using a law or principle.
- Leaving out the direction of a vector or a force.
Frequently asked questions
How many free-response questions are on AP Physics 1?
Four. The section always includes an experimental design question and a qualitative/quantitative translation question.
What value of g should I use?
Use 10 m/s squared, which this course uses to match the current exam.
Do I need to show my work?
Yes. Credit is given for the equation, the substitution and the answer with units.
How long should a written argument be?
A short paragraph. State the claim, name the principle, and connect it to the situation.
Where can I find the official scoring rules?
Exam formats change a little from year to year, so check the current course and exam description on the College Board site before test day.
Keep practicing
Every lesson in the AP Physics 1 course ends with practice items and an Exam focus box, and every unit has a ten-question practice set with worked answers. These free lessons also build the skills the free-response section tests:
See the AP Physics 1 course Free lessons and lesson list
Other free-response guides:
AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this site. This guide is our own explanation of the question types and scoring. For the official scoring guidelines, see the College Board.