AP Physics 2 exam 2027: what changes and how to prepare
The AP Physics 2 exam changes in the same way as AP Physics 1 in May 2027: two more multiple-choice questions, five more minutes for them, and five fewer minutes for free response. 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 Thursday 6 May 2027 (morning 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.
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 |
The units are unchanged: thermodynamics, electric force, field and potential, circuits, magnetism and induction, geometric optics, waves and physical optics, and modern physics. The four free-response types are also unchanged: mathematical routines, translation between representations, experimental design and analysis, and qualitative/quantitative translation.
How to prepare for the 2027 format
- Know the units. Our AP Physics 2 units guide sets out what each one covers, and the equation sheet guide shows what you are given.
- Use the real past papers. The 2025 and 2026 papers use the current question types. They are all on our AP Physics 2 past papers page with scoring guidelines.
- Practise to the new clock: about 2 minutes per multiple-choice question and just under 24 minutes per free-response question.
Common mistakes
- Practising free-response questions with the old 25-minute pace and running short of time.
- Treating the equation sheet as a list to search during the exam, instead of knowing where each equation is.
- Assuming the course content has changed: it has not.
Frequently asked questions
How many multiple-choice questions are on the 2027 AP Physics 2 exam?
42, in 85 minutes. In 2025 and 2026 there were 40 in 80 minutes.
Is the AP Physics 2 course changing in 2026-27?
No. Only the exam's question count and timing change.
Can I still use the 2025 and 2026 past papers?
Yes. They use the current course and question types. Time yourself to the 2027 limits.
Key takeaways
- 42 multiple-choice questions in 85 minutes, then 4 free-response questions in 95 minutes.
- The course content and question types are unchanged.
- Exam: Thursday 6 May 2027, morning.
Source: College Board, AP Central exam pages and the Clarifications and Exam Updates for 2026-27, checked 20 October 2026.