AP Physics 1 Past Papers & Practice PDFs: 2019–2026
Download a complete original AP Physics 1 year-style paper for every year from 2019 through 2026. Each PDF follows that year's relevant exam structure or special administration format and uses original questions built around similar physics skills, without reproducing official exam wording.
What does AP Physics 1 Past Papers & Practice PDFs 2019–2026 cover?
AP Physics 1 practice PDFs for 2019–2026 with answer keys, FRQ scoring guides, released-question maps and current-versus-legacy alignment.
- Built for the current AP Physics 1 course and May 2027 exam.
- Uses direct definitions, examples and internal routes to deeper lessons.
- Last content review: August 31, 2026.
Can I download AP Physics 1 practice papers from 2019 to 2026?
Yes. Eight internally hosted original AP Physics 1 year-style PDFs are available here, one for every year from 2019 through 2026. The 2025–2026 papers use the revised 40-MCQ/4-FRQ structure; 2019 and 2021–2024 use the legacy 50-MCQ/5-FRQ paper structure; and 2020 is correctly modeled as the exceptional remote two-FRQ administration rather than a normal paper exam.
Eight complete original year-style PDFs
All files are hosted directly on this site. Legacy paper PDFs include 45 single-select plus 5 multiple-select MCQs where appropriate.
2026 Full Practice Exam
40 MCQs · 80 min · 4 FRQs · 100 min. Projectile/fluids, momentum, friction experiment and rotational work-energy.
Download PDF 2025-style · revised2025 Full Practice Exam
40 MCQs · 80 min · 4 FRQs · 100 min. Momentum/energy, spring energy, torque experiment and buoyancy.
Download PDF 2024-style · legacy2024 Full Practice Exam
45 single-select + 5 multiple-select MCQs · 90 min · 5 FRQs · 90 min.
Download PDF 2023-style · legacy2023 Full Practice Exam
45 single-select + 5 multiple-select MCQs · 90 min · 5 FRQs · 90 min.
Download PDF 2022-style · legacy2022 Full Practice Exam
45 single-select + 5 multiple-select MCQs · 90 min · 5 FRQs · 90 min. Spring-pulley energy, momentum, rotation experiment, impulse and SHM.
Download PDF 2021 · paper administration2021 Paper-Style Practice Exam
50 MCQs · 90 min · 5 FRQs · 90 min. Models the paper mode; 2021 digital administrations used a different structure.
Download PDF 2020 · remote special2020 Remote Practice Paper
No MCQ section. Two original FRQs: 25-minute qualitative/quantitative translation + 15-minute paragraph argument.
Download PDF 2019-style · legacy2019 Full Practice Exam
45 single-select + 5 multiple-select MCQs · 90 min · 5 FRQs · 90 min. Historical circuits and waves appear where relevant.
Download PDFUse the year correctly
Older AP Physics 1 papers remain useful, but the exam structure and even course scope changed over time.
| Year | Practice PDF format | FRQ timing | Best use for 2027 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 40 MCQ + 4 FRQ | 100 min | Closest content/structure; retime FRQs to 95 minutes. | Closest |
| 2025 | 40 MCQ + 4 FRQ | 100 min | Strong revised-course practice; retime FRQs to 95 minutes. | Strong |
| 2024 | 50 MCQ + 5 FRQ | 90 min | Use for concepts and reasoning, not exact 2027 pacing. | Legacy |
| 2023 | 50 MCQ + 5 FRQ | 90 min | Target mechanics, graphs, experiments and rotation. | Legacy |
| 2022 | 50 MCQ + 5 FRQ | 90 min | Mechanics, experimental methods, momentum and SHM. | Legacy |
| 2021 | Paper model: 50 MCQ + 5 FRQ | 90 min paper | Use as paper-format practice; remember 2021 also had digital modes. | Mixed modes |
| 2020 | 2 remote FRQs · no normal MCQ | 25 + 15 response min | Historical skill practice only; not a normal full-exam mock. | Remote special |
| 2019 | 50 MCQ + 5 FRQ | 90 min | Mechanics still useful; circuits/waves are historical retired content. | Historical |
Know exactly what each released FRQ tests
These are concise topic-and-skill summaries, not reproductions of copyrighted exam questions. Filter the map by year or unit to find the practice you need.
| Year | Q | Main physics | What the response asks you to do | 2027 value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Q1 | Projectile motion + fluid flow | Translate velocity components, derive speed/flow rate, then justify a comparison qualitatively. | Very high |
| 2026 | Q2 | Momentum, collision, center of mass | Draw momentum vectors, derive post-collision energy, extend position graphs, apply impulse symmetry. | Very high |
| 2026 | Q3 | Kinetic friction + experimental design | Design measurements, linearize data, plot with scale, draw best fit and determine μk. | Very high |
| 2026 | Q4 | Rotational inertia, torque, work-energy | Compare angular speeds qualitatively, derive an angular-speed expression, reconcile derivation with reasoning. | Very high |
| 2025 | Q1 | Inelastic collision + energy | Sketch momentum vs time, derive final speed and ΔK, justify system-momentum behavior during frictional interaction. | Very high |
| 2025 | Q2 | Gravitational + spring energy | Complete energy bars, derive spring constant, sketch energy curves and connect speed to the curves. | Very high |
| 2025 | Q3 | Torque equilibrium + experimental design | Design a balancing experiment, linearize tension-angle data, graph it and extract an unknown mass. | Very high |
| 2025 | Q4 | Buoyancy + Newton's second law | Compare accelerations qualitatively, derive acceleration in a fluid, test consistency between equation and claim. | Very high |
| 2024 | Q1 | Conservation of energy | Complete an energy-bar representation and derive speed from gravitational energy change. | High |
| 2024 | Q2 | Spring oscillation + experiment + impulse | Design a spring-constant experiment, choose a linear graph, use v–t for ΔK and F–t area for Δp. | High |
| 2024 | Q3 | Torque equilibrium + rotational motion | Draw forces, compare tension, derive equilibrium tension and sketch angular speed after release. | High |
| 2024 | Q4 | Pendulum, gravitation, work | Compare gravitational work and reason about pendulum period under changed planetary conditions. | Medium–high |
| 2024 | Q5 | Elastic collision + center of mass | Calculate post-collision speed and extend position-time graphs for both blocks and center of mass. | High |
| 2023 | Q1 | Mass-spring oscillation + energy | Reason about energy conservation, frequency/period ratios and how system choice changes kinetic-energy representation. | High |
| 2023 | Q2 | Ramp kinematics + experimental graphing | Linearize x–t data, determine acceleration, infer g, discuss systematic error and sketch motion graphs. | Very high |
| 2023 | Q3 | Spring force + circular motion | Compare force vectors/speeds qualitatively, derive net force and tangential speed for circular motion. | High |
| 2023 | Q4 | Rotational dynamics + angular momentum | Relate torque to angular acceleration and explain equal angular impulse but different rotational-energy changes. | High |
| 2023 | Q5 | Rotational motion + energy | Interpret video frames for angular acceleration/kinetic energy and derive rotational energy change. | High |
What to keep, what to change for 2027
Each year has a different value. The newest administrations are closest to the revised course; the older ones are best treated as a bank of individual physics tasks.
Use all four FRQs, but retime the section
The four released questions cover projectile motion with flow rate, momentum/collisions, a friction experiment, and rotational dynamics. That mix is highly relevant to the current eight-unit course.
- Keep: the four-question structure and current-course reasoning.
- Change: the administration used 100 FRQ minutes; a 2027 simulation should use 95.
- Scoring lesson: representations, derivations, graph construction and qualitative justification are all separate ways to earn evidence.
Best year for scoring-pattern study
The released set spans inelastic momentum/energy, spring energy, torque experimental design and buoyancy. It is especially useful for learning that a correct final number alone is not enough.
- Keep: four-FRQ task variety and revised-course topic mix.
- Study: how points are attached to model choice, representation, intermediate reasoning and consistency.
- Retiming: use 95 minutes when turning it into a 2027 rehearsal.
Strong question bank, weak full-mock template
Five released FRQs cover energy, spring experimentation, torque/rotation, pendulum/gravity reasoning and elastic collisions. These topics remain useful, but the paper predates the revised four-FRQ structure.
- Keep: energy representations, experimental uncertainty, force diagrams, graph reasoning and center-of-mass logic.
- Avoid: treating five FRQs or old pacing as the 2027 format.
- Best use: pick questions by unit after a topic review.
Excellent for mechanics depth and experimental graphs
The set includes spring oscillations, ramp-data linearization, circular motion, angular momentum and rotational energy. It is particularly useful for graphing and rotation practice.
- Keep: linearization, model interpretation, system reasoning and rotation.
- Watch: older course emphasis and five-question organization.
- Best use: targeted remediation after diagnosing a weak unit.
2015–2018 remain legacy-only years
The downloadable library above now covers every year from 2019 through 2026. Earlier years are increasingly distant from the current course and exam design.
For 2019–2026, use the downloadable original PDFs above. For 2015–2018, prioritize only concepts that remain in the current course and do not treat retired topics or old pacing as 2027 requirements.
Answer new questions built around released-paper skills
These are original Salar Cafe scenarios—not copied past-paper questions. Write your response first, reveal the scoring guide only when ready, then self-score each rubric point.
Projectile motion + flow rate
Mathematical routines + translation
A nozzle launches water at 35° above horizontal. A droplet reaches a maximum vertical rise H. The nozzle radius is R. Explain how you would obtain the exit speed from H, then derive the volume flow rate in terms of H, R, g and the launch angle. Finally state what happens to maximum height if radius decreases while volume flow rate stays constant.
Scoring guide
Use vertical kinematics or energy to connect H with the initial vertical component. Resolve the exit speed using sinθ. Use Q = Av with A = πR². If Q is fixed and area decreases, speed increases, so the vertical component and maximum height increase.
Momentum collision
Representations + derivation
Cart A of mass m moves right at speed v and collides with cart B of mass 2m at rest. Afterward A moves left at speed v/4. Determine B's speed, compare the magnitudes of the carts' momentum changes, and describe the center-of-mass motion before and after the collision.
Scoring guide
Conservation of momentum gives mv = -mv/4 + 2m v_B, so v_B = 5v/8. The momentum changes have equal magnitude and opposite direction because the internal collision forces have equal impulse. With negligible external horizontal force, the center of mass moves at constant velocity through the collision.
Friction experiment
Experimental design + graphing
A block slides from rest down the same rough incline from several release distances d. A photogate measures speed v at the bottom. Design a graph-based method to determine μk. State what you would plot, what feature of the graph you would use, and one way to reduce uncertainty.
Scoring guide
From v² = 2gd(sinθ − μk cosθ), plot v² vertically against d horizontally. The slope S = 2g(sinθ − μk cosθ), so μk = [sinθ − S/(2g)]/cosθ. Use a wide distance range and repeated trials/averages to reduce random uncertainty.
Rotational work-energy
Qualitative + quantitative
Two wheels have the same axle radius and are pulled by the same constant tangential force through the same string length. Wheel B has twice the rotational inertia of Wheel A. Compare their final angular speeds and derive the dependence of ω on F, string length ℓ, axle radius r and I.
Scoring guide
The applied torque is Fr and the angular displacement while the string unwraps is ℓ/r, so rotational work is Fℓ. With Fℓ = ½Iω², ω = √(2Fℓ/I). The wheel with twice the inertia has the smaller final angular speed by a factor 1/√2.
Inelastic momentum + energy
Graphs + derivation
A cart of mass M moving at speed u catches a dropped block of mass M/2 and they move together. Determine the final horizontal speed and the fractional change in horizontal kinetic energy. Explain why horizontal momentum can be conserved while kinetic energy decreases.
Scoring guide
Horizontal momentum gives Mu = (3M/2)v, so v = 2u/3. Initial K = ½Mu² and final K = ½(3M/2)(4u²/9)=Mu²/3, so Kf/Ki = 2/3 and one third of the initial kinetic energy is lost. Momentum is conserved for the horizontally isolated system, while kinetic energy transforms into internal energy during the inelastic interaction.
Energy representations
Translation + derivation
A block starts from rest at height h on a frictionless track and then compresses a horizontal spring by distance x at the bottom. Describe the energy bars at release, just before the spring, and at maximum compression. Derive k in terms of m, g, h and x.
Scoring guide
At release all mechanical energy is gravitational; just before the spring it is kinetic; at maximum compression it is spring potential. Conservation gives mgh = ½kx², therefore k = 2mgh/x².
Torque experiment
Experimental design
A uniform meterstick pivots at its center. A known hanging mass can be placed at different distances on one side, while a force sensor pulls vertically at a fixed distance on the other side. Design measurements and a linear graph that determine an unknown hanging mass on the first side.
Scoring guide
At equilibrium, m_unknown g r = F r_sensor. Vary the unknown-mass lever arm r and measure the balancing force F. Plot F versus r. The slope is m_unknown g / r_sensor, so m_unknown = slope·r_sensor/g. Repeat/average force readings and measure lever arms from the pivot.
Buoyancy + Newton II
Qualitative + quantitative
The same fully submerged object is released in two fluids of densities ρ1 and ρ2, with ρ2 > ρ1. The object is less dense than both fluids. Compare its initial upward accelerations and derive a general expression for a in a fluid of density ρ.
Scoring guide
The buoyant force is ρVg and weight is mg. Newton II upward gives ρVg − mg = ma, so a = g(ρV/m − 1). The denser fluid gives the larger buoyant force and therefore the larger upward acceleration.
Score the reasoning, not just the last number
The repeated lesson across released scoring material is that AP Physics credit is distributed across modeling, representations, mathematical development and written justification.
Name or clearly use the relevant principle: momentum, Newton II, energy, torque, continuity, and so on.
Vectors, graphs, energy bars and diagrams must encode the physics, not merely decorate the response.
Show the relationship between known information and the result. Unsupported calculator output can miss reasoning points.
When asked to justify, state the causal physics connection explicitly. An equation alone may not answer a qualitative prompt.
Attempt → score → diagnose → repair → retest
A past paper becomes useful only when the mistake changes what you study next.
Past paper questions students usually ask
Are 2024 and 2023 AP Physics 1 papers still useful?
Yes, for the physics concepts and reasoning skills that remain in the current course. They should not be used as exact 2027 format simulations because they come from the earlier five-FRQ design.
Which past paper is closest to the 2027 AP Physics 1 exam?
2026 is the closest released administration in course content and four-FRQ structure. Its FRQ section used 100 minutes, so use 95 minutes when rehearsing the 2027 timing.
Should I memorize released solutions?
No. Use scoring evidence to learn what earns credit, then solve a new parallel scenario. Memorizing a released solution does not test whether you can transfer the principle.
Can I use old papers as full mock exams?
Use 2026 or 2025 as the closest FRQ simulations after adjusting timing. Treat 2024 and earlier primarily as targeted question banks.