The short answer
AP Physics 1 composite = MCQ correct ÷ 42 × 50 + Free Response points ÷ 40 × 50. An estimated 5 needs about 60% of the weighted composite, a 4 about 47% and a 3 about 34% (single third-party estimate (RemNote score calculator, “based on previously released exams”; not published by College Board)). Example: 65% of multiple choice plus 60% of free-response credit = 62.5 → about a 5.How the AP Physics 1 score is calculated
The calculator adds up each part of the exam using College Board’s section weights:
composite % = MCQ correct ÷ 42 × 50 + Free Response points ÷ 40 × 50
The composite (0–100) is then compared with estimated cutoffs for a 5, 4, 3 and 2. Worked example: with 65% of the multiple-choice questions right (about 27 of 42) and 60% of the free-response credit, your composite is 50 × 0.65 + 50 × 0.6 = 62.5, which maps to an estimated 5. MR 0–10, TBR 0–12, LAB 0–10, QQT 0–8, 40 points in total (College Board 2025 scoring statistics; the four FRQ types are unchanged for 2027).
AP Physics 1 exam format (May 2027)
The 2027 exam is hybrid digital (MCQ in Bluebook; FRQ handwritten in paper booklets). Section by section:
| Section | Questions | Minutes | Share of score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I: Multiple Choice | 42 | 85 | 50% |
| Section II: Free Response | 4 | 95 | 50% |
What changes for the 2027 exam
May 2027 change: MCQ 40→42 questions, 80→85 min; FRQ time 100→95 min (4 FRQ unchanged). Current 4-FRQ-type structure introduced with the May 2025 exam. The calculator is set up for the 2027 structure.
Free-response point breakdown
| Question | Points | Counts for |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Routines (MR) | 0–10 | 12.5% of the score |
| Translation Between Representations (TBR) | 0–12 | 15.0% of the score |
| Experimental Design and Analysis (LAB) | 0–10 | 12.5% of the score |
| Qualitative/Quantitative Translation (QQT) | 0–8 | 10.0% of the score |
| Multiple choice correct (1 point each) | 0–42 | 50.0% of the score |
AP Physics 1 score distribution: 2026 and 2025
| AP score | 2026 (preliminary) | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 19% | 19.8% |
| 4 | 24% | 24.7% |
| 3 | 25% | 22.9% |
| 2 | 15% | 13.4% |
| 1 | 17% | 19.2% |
| 3 or higher | 68% | 67.4% |
2026 figures are College Board’s preliminary whole-number percentages. In 2025, 174,401 students took AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based; 19.8% earned a 5.
Estimated AP Physics 1 cutoffs
| Estimated AP score | Composite needed (of 100) |
|---|---|
| 5 | 60 or higher |
| 4 | 47 – 60 |
| 3 | 34 – 47 |
| 2 | 22 – 34 |
| 1 | below 22 |
Basis: single third-party estimate (RemNote score calculator, “based on previously released exams”; not published by College Board). For comparison: College Board’s 2009 Physics B worksheet: 62 / 47 / 32 / 22. College Board does not publish current cut scores, so treat every number in this table as an estimate with a margin of a few points.
What you need for a 3, 4 or 5 on AP Physics 1
Free-response result needed at three multiple-choice levels, using the estimated cutoffs above (assumes the same % correct on every multiple-choice part):
| Multiple choice correct | For a 3 | For a 4 | For a 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50% (≈21 of 42) | 8 of 40 FRQ points | 18 of 40 FRQ points | 28 of 40 FRQ points |
| 65% (≈27 of 42) | 2 of 40 FRQ points | 12 of 40 FRQ points | 22 of 40 FRQ points |
| 80% (≈34 of 42) | reached with MCQ alone | 6 of 40 FRQ points | 16 of 40 FRQ points |
Adjust the boxes in the calculator above to test your own mix; it also shows how many more questions or points you need for the next score.
AP Physics 1 exam date 2027
The AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based exam is on Wednesday, May 5, 2027 (Session 2, 12 p.m. local), per College Board’s 2027 AP exam schedule. Scores are usually released in early July; the 2027 release date has not been announced. See every exam on the AP Score Calculator hub.
AP® is a registered trademark of the College Board, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this site.
AP Physics 1 score distribution, 2019–2026
In 2025, 67.3% of 174,401 AP Physics 1 test takers scored 3 or higher and 19.8% earned a 5 (mean score 3.12). That compares with a 45.4% pass rate and 6.7% fives in 2019, a change of +21.9 percentage points. The 2020 and 2021 exams were shortened or moved online because of COVID-19, so compare those years with care.
| Year | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 or higher | Test takers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 19% | 24% | 25% | 15% | 17% | 68% | – |
| 2025 | 19.8% | 24.7% | 22.9% | 13.4% | 19.2% | 67.3% | 174,401 |
| 2024 | 10.2% | 17.9% | 19.2% | 26.1% | 26.6% | 47.3% | 164,481 |
| 2023 | 8.8% | 18.3% | 18.5% | 28% | 26.4% | 45.6% | 159,582 |
| 2022 | 7.9% | 17% | 18.3% | 27.1% | 29.6% | 43.3% | 144,526 |
| 2021 | 6.9% | 16.3% | 18.9% | 26.4% | 31.4% | 42.1% | 137,229 |
| 2020 | 8.8% | 17.9% | 24.8% | 26.5% | 21.9% | 51.6% | 149,488 |
| 2019 | 6.7% | 18.2% | 20.5% | 28.7% | 25.9% | 45.4% | 161,071 |
* Preliminary whole-number percentages as displayed by College Board; test-taker counts not yet published. Earlier years from College Board's annual Student Score Distributions PDFs. Compare every AP exam in our AP score distributions study.
Frequently asked questions
What score do you need to get a 5 on AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based?
What percentage of students get a 5 on AP Physics 1?
Is a 3 a passing score on the AP Physics 1 exam?
When is the AP Physics 1 exam in 2027?
How is the AP Physics 1 score calculated?
Sources & method
- Exam format, section weights and 2027 changes: College Board AP Central — AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based exam.
- College Board source: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions/ap-physics-1
- College Board source: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-physics-1-course-and-exam-description-clarifications-effective-fall-2026.pdf
- FRQ point values: College Board 2025 scoring statistics / scoring guidelines (apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/), 2027 values where the format changes.
- Cutoff estimate: single third-party estimate (RemNote score calculator, “based on previously released exams”; not published by College Board).
- Exam date: College Board 2027 AP exam schedule.
Data checked October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us via the about page.