Everything to know about the AP exams
- World Vision Academy
- 16 hours ago
- 6 min read
Today we’re covering how the AP exams work, in preparation for the upcoming May exams! Below, we’ve summarized the subjects, test formats, and topic weighting, with information on time limit and number of questions per section.
AP exams are generally divided into two major sections and consist of both multiple-choice and short-response questions.
Let’s look at the details of the exam for each AP subject. The subjects are:
Category | Course |
History and Social Sciences |
|
Math and Computer Science |
|
Sciences |
|
English |
|
AP Economics
This course helps students understand the fundamental principles of economics and develop economic reasoning skills. The course is divided into two main areas: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics.
In Microeconomics, students analyze decision-making processes of consumers and producers in the market, as well as the behavior of individual economic agents.
Macroeconomics, on the other hand, focuses on topics like economic growth, unemployment, and inflation, with an emphasis on analyzing the entire economic system.
Exam Topics | Weighting |
1: Basic Economic Concepts | 5%–10% |
2: Economic Indicators and the Business Cycle | 12%–17% |
3: National Income and Price Determination | 17%–27% |
4: Financial Sector | 18%–23% |
5: Long-Run Consequences of Stabilization Policies | 20%-30% |
6: Open Economy - International Trade and Finance | 10%–13% |
AP Psychology
AP Psychology is a subject chosen by many students due to its lower difficulty compared to other subjects. This course is at the level of an introductory university psychology class, making it suitable for students majoring in psychology or sociology. It systematically and scientifically studies human behavior and psychological processes.
Exam Topics | Weighting |
1: Biological Bases of Behavior | 15%–25% |
2: Cognition | 15%–25% |
3: Development and Learning | 15%–25% |
4: Social Psychology and Personality | 15%–25% |
5: Mental and Physical Health | 15%–25% |
AP Calculus AB/BC
AP Calculus AB covers first-year college-level calculus, teaching fundamental concepts such as limits, derivatives, and definite integrals.
AP Calculus BC expands on the content of AB, adding advanced topics such as differential equations, series, and sequences, covering a higher level of calculus typically taught in first- and second-year college courses.
Exam Topics | Weighting |
1: Limits and Continuity | 4%–7% |
2: Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties | 4%–7% |
3: Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions | 4%–7% |
4: Contextual Applications of Differentiation | 6%–9% |
5: Analytical Applications of Differentiation | 8%–11% |
6: Integration and Accumulation of Change | 17%–20% |
7: Differential Equations | 6%–9% |
8: Applications of Integration | 6%–9% |
9: Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Vector-Valued Functions | 11%–12% |
10: Infinite Sequences and Series | 17%–18% |
AP Computer Science A
AP Computer Science is a great introduction to the field of computer science and is highly recommended for students interested in studying the subject in university. The course mainly deals with Java programming, and the questions test how well you understand the theoretical aspects of programming. Abstract content that is not limited to programming languages, such as recursive functions, algorithm complexity, or computability, is emphasized.
Exam Topics | Weighting |
1: Primitive Types | 2.5%-5% |
2: Using Objects | 5%-7.5% |
3: Boolean Expressions and if Statements | 15%-17.5% |
4: Iteration | 17.5%-22.5% |
5: Writing Classes | 5%-7.5% |
6: Array | 10%-15% |
7: ArrayList | 2.5%-7.5% |
8: 2D Array | 7.5%-10% |
9: Inheritance | 5%-10% |
10: Recursion | 5%-7.5% |
AP Biology
This is a popular course for students interested in life science. The major topics covered include biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Since it covers a large variety of topics in biology, there is a lot to study. Unlike other science subjects that require calculations, AP Biology focuses on memorization so good memorization skills are required to excel in this course.
Exam Topics | Weighting |
1: Chemistry of Life | 8%–11% |
2: Cell Structure and Function | 10%–13% |
3: Cellular Energetics | 12%–16% |
4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle | 10%–15% |
5: Heredity | 8%–11% |
6: Gene Expression and Regulation | 12%–16% |
7: Natural Selection | 13%–20% |
8: Ecology | 10%–15% |
AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry is equivalent to first-year college level general chemistry, covering topics including atomic structure, chemical properties and reactions, and physical chemistry. This course provides students with a strong basis in the foundational principles of chemistry and an introduction to higher-level specialized areas of chemistry like thermodynamics and electrochemistry.
Exam Topics | Weighting |
1: Atomic Structure and Properties | 7%–9% |
2: Compound Structure and Properties | 7%–9% |
3: Properties of Substances and Mixtures | 18%–22% |
4: Chemical Reactions | 7%–9% |
5: Kinetics | 7%–9% |
6: Thermochemistry | 7%–9% |
7: Equilibrium | 7%–9% |
8: Acids and Bases | 11%–15% |
9: Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry | 7%–9% |
AP Physics 1/2/C
AP Physics is divided into multiple course options, as listed below.
AP Physics 1 is an introductory course that explores the fundamental principles of physics. It is a 60-hour course that covers topics such as Newtonian mechanics, work and energy, momentum, waves and sound, and basic electrical circuits. This course will help students learn physics principles and concepts through experiments and develop problem-solving skills.
Exam Topics | Weighting |
1: Kinematics | 10%–15% |
2: Force and Translational Dynamics | 18%–23% |
3: Work, Energy, and Power | 18%–23% |
4: Linear Momentum | 10%–15% |
5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics | 10%–15% |
6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems | 5%–8% |
7: Oscillations | 5%–8% |
8: Fluids | 10%–15% |
AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, college-level introductory physics course. Students will develop their understanding of physics by studying concepts such as systems, fields, force interactions, change, conservation, and waves. These topics are covered in addition to those in Physics 1:
Exam Topics | Weighting |
9: Thermodynamics | 15%–18% |
10: Electric Force, Field, and Potential | 15%–18% |
11: Electric Circuits | 15%–18% |
12: Magnetism and Electromagnetism | 12%–15% |
13: Geometric Optics | 12%–15% |
14: Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics | 12%–15% |
15: Modern Physics | 12%–15% |
AP Physics C: Mechanics is a college-level calculus-based physics course, especially suited for students specializing in the physical sciences or engineering. Although it covers the same topics as AP Physics 1, the focus on calculus-based math makes this a much more challenging course. Through classroom instruction, in-class activities, and inquiry-based experiments, students explore concepts such as change, force interactions, fields, and conservation laws while developing a deeper understanding of physics concepts.
Exam Topics | Weighting |
1: Kinematics | 10%–15% |
2: Force and Translational Dynamics | 20%–25% |
3: Work, Energy, and Power | 15%–25% |
4: Linear Momentum | 10%–20% |
5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics | 10%–15% |
6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems | 10%–15% |
7: Oscillations | 10%–15% |
AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism is a semester-long, calculus-based, college-level physics course. It is especially suited for students majoring in or pursuing a career in engineering. Students develop an understanding of physics while learning concepts such as change, interaction of forces, fields, and conservation.
Exam Topics | Weighting |
8: Electric Charges, Fields, and Gauss's Law | 15%–25% |
9: Electric Potential | 10%–20% |
10: Conductors and Capacitors | 10%–15% |
11: Electric Circuits | 15%–25% |
12: Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism | 10%–20% |
13: Electromagnetic Induction | 10%–20% |
AP English
AP English Language & Composition
Since all students are required to take an English Composition class in college, AP English Language is one of the most popular courses. The course focuses on logical writing, rhetorical analysis, and non-fiction reading. You will read, write, and analyze a variety of non-fiction texts, such as articles, speeches, and essays, and explore rhetorical situations, arguments and evidence, reasoning and structure, and style. Some colleges will award AP credit for English Composition classes to students who receive a score of 3 or higher.
Exam Topics | Weighting |
1. Rhetorical Situation: Reading | 11%–14% |
2. Rhetorical Situation: Writing | 11%–14% |
3. Claims and Evidence: Reading | 13%–16% |
4. Claims and Evidence: Writing | 11%–14% |
5.Reasoning and Organization: Reading | 13%–16% |
6. Reasoning and Organization: Writing | 11%–14% |
7. Style: Reading | 11–14% |
8. Style: Writing | 11–14% |
AP English Literature & Composition
Unlike AP English Language, which mostly asks questions about conversation, AP Literature is a course that requires reading and solving essays or poems. It requires the ability to understand and analyze literary works, and you must read and analyze the text while exploring concepts such as characters, setting, structure, point of view, metaphor, and analysis. As it is one of the hardest courses to receive a high score on, universities will grant credit if you get at least a 3 on the exam.
Section 1 - Multiple Choice - 45% of total
Exam Topic | Weighting |
1, 4, & 7: Short Fiction | 42%–49% |
2, 5, & 8: Poetry | 36%–45% |
3, 6, & 9: Longer Fiction or Drama | 15%–18% |
Section 2- Free Response - 3 questions worth 55% of total
Topic | Description |
Poetry analysis | A format in which you read a line of poetry, present a poetic interpretation based on evidence, and answer questions by presenting a thesis. |
Prose fiction analysis | A format in which you read a prose novel (or a play, if you like) and write a thesis that presents a literary interpretation supported by evidence. |
Literary argument | Analyze how literary concepts or ideas contribute to the interpretation of a literary work, choosing one from a list of approximately 40 works provided or citing other works of prose fiction or drama you have read to make an evidence-based argument in response to a given topic. |
Our Students' Results!
Congratulations to our students for achieving excellent results on their 2024 AP exams!
Tip!
To do well on the AP exam, you need a strategy. As with all exams, managing your time well is the most important factor. You should consistently practice solving problems under time pressure and quickly reading long passages and approaching the problem. When solving real problems, it is also a good idea to set an alarm and practice.
I hope you all do your best until the end and do well on the exam!
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