AP Physics 1 exam 2027: what changes and how to prepare
The AP Physics 1 exam changes slightly in May 2027: two more multiple-choice questions, five more minutes for them, and five fewer minutes for the free-response section. The course content stays the same.
On this page
The May 2027 exam at a glance
| Section | Questions | Time | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| I: Multiple choice | 42 | 85 minutes | 50% |
| II: Free response | 4, one of each type | 95 minutes | 50% |
The exam is on Wednesday 5 May 2027 (afternoon session). It is a hybrid digital exam: you answer the multiple-choice questions in the Bluebook app, read the free-response questions there too, and handwrite your free-response answers in a paper booklet. A calculator is allowed throughout, and the reference information (the equation sheet) is provided on paper and in Bluebook.
What changed from the 2025 and 2026 exams
| 2025 and 2026 | From May 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple-choice questions | 40 | 42 |
| Multiple-choice time | 80 minutes | 85 minutes |
| Free-response questions | 4 | 4 |
| Free-response time | 100 minutes | 95 minutes |
Nothing else changes. The eight units are the same, from kinematics to fluids, and the four free-response types are the same: mathematical routines, translation between representations, experimental design and analysis, and qualitative/quantitative translation.
What it means for your timing
- Multiple choice: about 2 minutes a question, almost exactly as before. Keep moving: if a question takes more than 3 minutes, mark it and come back.
- Free response: about 23 to 24 minutes a question instead of 25. That is the real change. Long written explanations now cost you more, so practise answering exactly what is asked, in clear, short sentences.
When you sit an older past paper, time yourself to the new limits: 85 minutes for 42 questions and 95 minutes for the free-response section.
How to prepare for the 2027 format
- Unit by unit first. Make sure each unit is secure with targeted practice. Our AP Physics 1 practice problems cover all eight units, with step-by-step solutions.
- Learn the four free-response types. Each rewards a different skill. Read our guide to AP Physics 1 free-response questions.
- Use the real past papers. The 2025 and 2026 papers already use the four question types; earlier papers are still useful for single questions. They are all on our AP Physics 1 past papers page.
- Practise to the new clock from March onwards, with full timed sections.
Common mistakes
- Practising with old timings and then running out of time on the free-response section.
- Writing long paragraphs when one clear sentence with a physics reason earns the point.
- Assuming the course content has changed: it has not, so older resources are still useful.
Frequently asked questions
Is the AP Physics 1 course changing in 2026-27?
No. Only the exam's question count and timing change. The units and topics are the same as in 2024-25 and 2025-26.
How many multiple-choice questions are on the 2027 AP Physics 1 exam?
42, in 85 minutes. In 2025 and 2026 there were 40 in 80 minutes.
Is the 2027 exam fully digital?
It is hybrid digital: multiple choice in Bluebook, and free-response answers handwritten in a paper booklet.
Can I still use the 2025 and 2026 past papers?
Yes. They match the current course and question types. Just time yourself to the 2027 limits.
Key takeaways
- 42 multiple-choice questions in 85 minutes, then 4 free-response questions in 95 minutes.
- The free-response section is 5 minutes shorter: practise concise answers.
- Content is unchanged, so every current resource still works.
Source: College Board, AP Central exam pages and the Clarifications and Exam Updates for 2026-27, checked 20 October 2026.
Try AP physics 1 practice by unit, marked as you go, with hints and step-by-step solutions.