Exam Overview (2026 Format)
● Total Time: 3 hours
● Format: Hybrid digital (Bluebook app for viewing; handwriting for FRQs)
● Section I: Multiple-Choice — 40 questions | 80 minutes | 50% of score
(Discrete + sets with stimuli like graphs/data)
● Section II: Free-Response — 4 questions | 100 minutes | 50% of score
(Typically: 1 experimental design, 1 qualitative/quantitative translation, short answers
with paragraph-length arguments)
● Calculator: Allowed (4-function, scientific, or graphing)
● Key Emphasis: Science Practices (modeling, mathematical routines, experimental
methods, argumentation), systems, conservation laws, and inquiry-based thinking.
● No fluids on old exams — now Unit 8 is included.
Exam Weighting (Multiple-Choice):
● Unit 1: 10–15%
● Unit 2: 18–23%
● Unit 3: 18–23%
● Unit 4: 10–15%
● Unit 5: 10–15%
● Unit 6: ~7–12% (estimated based on rotational emphasis)
● Unit 7: ~7–12%
● Unit 8: ~7–12%
Study Tip: Master representations (graphs, FBDs, energy bars, LOL diagrams) — they appear
everywhere on FRQs.
Unit 1: Kinematics (10–15%)
Big Ideas: Motion description without causes.
Key Concepts:
● Scalars vs. vectors
● Displacement, velocity, acceleration (1D and 2D)
● Motion graphs (position-time, velocity-time, acceleration-time)
● Constant acceleration equations
● Projectile motion (independent x/y components)
● Relative motion & reference frames
Essential Equations:
● ( v = v_0 + at )
● ( \Delta x = v_0 t + \frac{1}{2} at^2 )
● ( v^2 = v_0^2 + 2a \Delta x )
, ● ( \Delta x = \frac{(v_0 + v)}{2} t )
Common Pitfalls: Confusing average vs. instantaneous velocity; forgetting to separate
components in projectiles.
Quick Tip: For graphs — slope of x-t is v; slope of v-t is a; area under v-t is displacement.
Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics (18–23%)
Big Ideas: Newton’s laws, interactions.
Key Concepts:
● Newton’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd Laws
● Free-body diagrams (FBDs)
● Net force = ma
● Common forces: weight (mg), normal, tension, friction (static ≤ μN, kinetic = μN),
spring (kx), gravitational
● Inclined planes, Atwood machines, friction on surfaces
Essential Equations:
● ( \vec{F}_{net} = m \vec{a} )
● ( F_g = mg )
● ( F_s \leq \mu_s N ), ( F_k = \mu_k N )
Study Tip: Always draw FBDs with direction. Third Law pairs act on different objects.
Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power (18–23%)
Big Ideas: Energy conservation & transfer.
Key Concepts:
● Work (W = F·d cosθ)
● Kinetic energy (½mv²)
● Gravitational potential (mgh)
● Elastic potential (½kx²)
● Work-energy theorem
● Conservative vs. non-conservative forces
● Power (P = W/t = Fv cosθ)
● Energy bar charts / LOL diagrams
Essential Equations:
● ( W_{net} = \Delta K )
● ( \Delta E = W_{nc} ) (conservation with non-conservative work)
● Total Time: 3 hours
● Format: Hybrid digital (Bluebook app for viewing; handwriting for FRQs)
● Section I: Multiple-Choice — 40 questions | 80 minutes | 50% of score
(Discrete + sets with stimuli like graphs/data)
● Section II: Free-Response — 4 questions | 100 minutes | 50% of score
(Typically: 1 experimental design, 1 qualitative/quantitative translation, short answers
with paragraph-length arguments)
● Calculator: Allowed (4-function, scientific, or graphing)
● Key Emphasis: Science Practices (modeling, mathematical routines, experimental
methods, argumentation), systems, conservation laws, and inquiry-based thinking.
● No fluids on old exams — now Unit 8 is included.
Exam Weighting (Multiple-Choice):
● Unit 1: 10–15%
● Unit 2: 18–23%
● Unit 3: 18–23%
● Unit 4: 10–15%
● Unit 5: 10–15%
● Unit 6: ~7–12% (estimated based on rotational emphasis)
● Unit 7: ~7–12%
● Unit 8: ~7–12%
Study Tip: Master representations (graphs, FBDs, energy bars, LOL diagrams) — they appear
everywhere on FRQs.
Unit 1: Kinematics (10–15%)
Big Ideas: Motion description without causes.
Key Concepts:
● Scalars vs. vectors
● Displacement, velocity, acceleration (1D and 2D)
● Motion graphs (position-time, velocity-time, acceleration-time)
● Constant acceleration equations
● Projectile motion (independent x/y components)
● Relative motion & reference frames
Essential Equations:
● ( v = v_0 + at )
● ( \Delta x = v_0 t + \frac{1}{2} at^2 )
● ( v^2 = v_0^2 + 2a \Delta x )
, ● ( \Delta x = \frac{(v_0 + v)}{2} t )
Common Pitfalls: Confusing average vs. instantaneous velocity; forgetting to separate
components in projectiles.
Quick Tip: For graphs — slope of x-t is v; slope of v-t is a; area under v-t is displacement.
Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics (18–23%)
Big Ideas: Newton’s laws, interactions.
Key Concepts:
● Newton’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd Laws
● Free-body diagrams (FBDs)
● Net force = ma
● Common forces: weight (mg), normal, tension, friction (static ≤ μN, kinetic = μN),
spring (kx), gravitational
● Inclined planes, Atwood machines, friction on surfaces
Essential Equations:
● ( \vec{F}_{net} = m \vec{a} )
● ( F_g = mg )
● ( F_s \leq \mu_s N ), ( F_k = \mu_k N )
Study Tip: Always draw FBDs with direction. Third Law pairs act on different objects.
Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power (18–23%)
Big Ideas: Energy conservation & transfer.
Key Concepts:
● Work (W = F·d cosθ)
● Kinetic energy (½mv²)
● Gravitational potential (mgh)
● Elastic potential (½kx²)
● Work-energy theorem
● Conservative vs. non-conservative forces
● Power (P = W/t = Fv cosθ)
● Energy bar charts / LOL diagrams
Essential Equations:
● ( W_{net} = \Delta K )
● ( \Delta E = W_{nc} ) (conservation with non-conservative work)
