What is the fail rate for AP Physics?

As you can see from this chart, the passing rate for the AP® Physics 1 exam ranges from about 40% to 50%, which is well below the overall AP® exam average. This exam tends to attract both future and non-science majors, accounting for the lower overall scores. In 2023, the average AP® Physics 1 exam score was 2.55.

What is the lowest pass rate for AP Physics?

Physics 1 has the lowest pass rate of any AP exam (43.3%) along with one of the lowest percentages of students scoring a 5 (just 7.9%). Physics 1 is an algebra-based physics class that explores topics such as Newtonian mechanics, simple circuits, and mechanical waves.

What is the most failed AP exam?

At many high schools, AP Physics is notorious for its difficulty level. In addition, it has the lowest overall pass rate of any AP exam.

Is AP Physics 1 the hardest exam?

AP Physics 1 is considered one of the hardest AP classes by AP class alumnae. The pass rate of the AP Physics 1 Exam for 2022 was 43.3%. This is lower than the pass rate for AP overall. AP Physics 1 exam is divided into two sections: multiple-choice and free-response.

Is a 75% on the AP exam a 5?

Usually, a 70 to 75 percent out of 100 translates to a 5. However, there are some exams that are exceptions to this rule of thumb. The AP Grades that are reported to students, high schools, colleges, and universities in July are on AP's five-point scale: 5: Extremely well qualified.

Ranking All 38 AP Classes by Difficulty (Tier List)

What is a 60% on an AP test?

Yes, a 60 is considered a passing grade in AP classes. In AP, the average passing rate is 60-70%.

Why does AP Physics 1 have such a high fail rate?

AP® Physics 1 has a fairly low passing rate, which usually denotes that the course content and exam are challenging for students. If you wait to take the course, you may find that those additional years of high school have made you more academically confident and might help you on this exam.

Is AP Physics really hard?

Only half of the students who take AP Physics exam pass it. And just 8 out of 100 students get the top score of 5. When you compare this to the average pass rate of 70% for all AP tests, it's clear that AP Physics is one of the hardest out there.

Is a 2 on AP Physics 1 bad?

First, it is important to analyze the scoring criteria to understand your score and where you went wrong. According to Collegeboard, a 2 on the AP® Physics 1 exam suggests to colleges that you are “possibly qualified” but that there are some gaps in your knowledge of the curriculum.

Is it OK if I fail my AP exam?

But it's not the end of the world if you don't pass. Your class grade won't be affected, and colleges will still be impressed that you took an AP course. Colleges won't see your scores, if you don't report them. So, even if you are unsure if you'll pass, it's a good idea to opt to take an AP course.

Is it OK to fail an AP class?

What happens if you fail an AP class? If you fail an AP class, then your GPA will likely drop as it would for a normal class. This grade also shows up on your transcript. However, you may be able to retake the class the following year to raise your grade and increase your GPA.

Has anyone ever gotten a 0 on the AP exam?

To clarify, it's quite rare and quite difficult to get a score of 0 on an AP exam. Typically, scores range from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest possible score that indicates the student likely wasn't prepared for the level of the content on the exam.

Why is AP Physics 1 pass rate so low?

Most students take AP Physics 1 during their junior or senior years, enrolling after the completion of standard prerequisites like geometry and algebra II. As a result, students in their first two years of high school may not have the necessary skills for success in this college-level class.

Is AP Chem or AP Physics harder?

Also, if you read about students' experiences in online forums like Quora, Reddit, or YouTube, students who have taken both AP courses at some point in their high school years consider AP Physics to be much harder than AP Chemistry.

What is harder IB or AP?

Is IB harder than AP? It depends. Some students argue that IB is more challenging because of the emphasis on critical thinking and the more application-focused evaluations. However, both IB and AP classes are considered college-level courses that many students find challenging.

Is AP Physics mostly math?

AP® Physics 1 and 2 are algebra-based physics courses. You will learn essentially the same content, but you will only have to work with algebraic math. Any calculus steps will be performed for you and mostly de-emphasized.

Is getting a 5 on AP Physics hard?

In 2021, only about 7% of exam takers who took the AP Physics 1 exam earned a score of 5 ("extremely well qualified"). One of the main difficulties in scoring a 5 on the exam is mastering AP-style questions. Many students aren't accustomed to analyzing data and applying their knowledge.

How hard is a 5 on AP Physics?

Yes, 5s on the AP Physics 1 test are unusual. About 5% of students who take the AP Physics 1 exam score a 5; about 60% of test-takers do not pass.

What happens if you fail AP Physics?

What's Next? The main thing to know if you fail an AP exam is that you won't receive college credit in that subject. This may affect the kinds of courses you take in your first year of university as well as how long it takes you to complete college.

Is the AP Physics 1 exam curved?

AP Physics 1 scores are curved for two main reasons: To maintain scoring consistency across the years. To correlate the final exam score to an equivalent college grade with accuracy and uniformity.

Is it ok to get ab in AP Physics 1?

A "B" in an AP class is considered better than a "B" (or even an A) in a Regular class. When you're trying to challenge yourself with rigorous coursework, colleges will take it positively.

Is a 50% on AP exam a 3?

A 50% is considered a 3 or passing. This is when your AP credit is considered in colleges for being qualified, well qualified or extremely well qualified.

Is a 70 a 5 on the AP exam?

As a general guide, though, you can consider roughly more than 70% correct as being in the 5 range, 50-69% for a score of 4, 40-49% for a score of 3, 30-39% for a 2, and below 30% would likely be a 1.

Is a 2 failing AP score?

AP® Score of 2

If you were to get a 2, then the College Board has determined that you are “possibly qualified” to pass a college level class of the same subject level. This score is usually not accepted by colleges unless there are extenuating circumstances.