AP Physics 2 · Exam guide
AP Physics 2 Multiple-Choice Guide: 42 Questions in 85 Minutes
The multiple-choice section is half of the AP Physics 2 score, with 42 questions in 85 minutes. The seven units range from thermodynamics to modern physics, so the questions jump between topics. Most test reasoning about what changes when something else does. This guide shows the format and a worked example.
The format
- 42 multiple-choice questions in 85 minutes, then 4 free-response questions in 95 minutes. Each section is half of the exam score.
- A calculator and an equation sheet are provided.
- There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so answer every question.
Topics to expect
| Unit | What the questions ask |
|---|---|
| Thermodynamics | Pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas, work on a PV diagram, and the first and second laws. |
| Electric force, field, and potential | Direction of fields and forces, and how potential changes between points. |
| Circuits | What happens to current and brightness when a resistor or a bulb is added. |
| Magnetism | Direction of the force on a charge or a wire, and induced current. |
| Optics and waves | Image location and size, refraction, interference, and sound. |
| Modern physics | Photons, energy levels, and nuclear processes. |
A worked example of reasoning
Two identical light bulbs are connected in series to a battery. A third identical bulb is then connected in parallel with one of them. What happens to the brightness of the bulb that is not in the parallel pair?
Adding a parallel branch lowers the total resistance, so the battery supplies more current. The bulb that is not in the parallel pair carries the total current, so it gets brighter than before. The two bulbs in parallel share that current, so each carries only half of it, and the bulb that started in series with the added one is dimmer than before. Reasoning about the total resistance and the current gives the answer without any numbers.
Common mistakes
- Using a formula without checking that the situation fits it.
- Forgetting that a charge's sign changes the direction of the force.
- Mixing up the object distance and image distance in a lens or mirror problem.
- Confusing energy of a photon with intensity of light.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a penalty for guessing?
No. Answer every question.
Which units does the exam include?
Units 9 to 15 in this course: thermodynamics through modern physics.
Is a calculator allowed?
Yes, and an equation sheet is provided.
How do I practice reasoning questions?
Take a circuit or lens problem and predict what happens when one value changes before you calculate.
Where can I find the official format?
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 courses ends with practice problems and an Exam focus box that shows how the topic is tested, and every unit has a review with worked answers. These free lessons also build the skills the free-response section tests:
See the AP Physics 2 course Free lessons and lesson list
More AP Physics 2 guides (6)
Start here
Free-response and writing
- AP Physics 2 Experimental Design Explained: Planning an Experiment and Analyzing the Data
- AP Physics 2 Thermodynamics FRQ Explained: PV Diagrams and the First Law
- AP Physics 2 Circuits Question: Series, Parallel, Current, and Power
- AP Physics 2 Optics Question: The Lens Equation and Image Types
- AP Physics 2 Photoelectric Effect: Photon Energy, Work Function, and Stopping Potential
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.