Best Tips for Succeeding in AP Physics

AP Physics can feel like one of the most demanding courses in high school. Between complex equations, challenging concepts, and tricky word problems, many students start the year feeling unsure of where to begin.

But success in AP Physics is absolutely achievable. With the right mindset and approach, students can move beyond memorizing formulas and start understanding how the world really works.

Here are some of the best ways to succeed in AP Physics this year.

1. Understand Concepts Before Memorizing Formulas

Many students make the mistake of trying to memorize every formula on the first day. The truth is that physics is about understanding relationships, not memorizing symbols.

Instead of just writing down F = ma, students should know what that equation really means. It describes how force, mass, and acceleration interact. Once the concept clicks, the formula becomes easy to remember and apply.

Encourage your student to ask “what does this represent in real life?” during every lesson.

2. Draw Diagrams for Every Problem

Physics is a visual subject. Drawing diagrams helps students organize information, see relationships between variables, and avoid mistakes.

Whether it is a free-body diagram in mechanics or a circuit sketch in electricity, a clear picture is the first step toward a correct solution.

Tutors at Tutors and Friends often have students start each problem by drawing, labeling, and thinking through what is happening before touching the math.

3. Practice Step by Step, Not Just the Final Answer

One of the biggest challenges in AP Physics is problem solving under time pressure. Students may understand concepts but lose points when they skip steps or make small errors.

To prevent that, practice writing out each step clearly, including units and reasoning. This builds consistency and helps identify where mistakes happen.

When students review their work with a tutor, they should focus on how they approached the problem, not just whether the answer was correct.

4. Learn to Recognize Patterns

Physics problems often look new on the surface but rely on familiar ideas. For example, energy conservation, Newton’s laws, and motion graphs appear again and again in different forms.

Students who learn to spot these patterns will start recognizing which principle applies before they even pick up a calculator. This comes from consistent practice and reflection on past problems.

After finishing a problem set, ask your student to look for patterns.

“Did we see a problem like this before?”
“What type of question was this really testing?”

This habit builds intuition and makes future problems less intimidating.

5. Connect Math to Meaning

Physics relies on math, but math alone is not enough. Students should learn what each number represents physically.

For example, instead of seeing “9.8 meters per second squared” as a random value, they should understand it as the rate at which objects accelerate due to gravity.

When math and meaning come together, problem solving becomes easier and more natural.

6. Practice Free Response Questions Early

The free response section of the AP exam tests how well students can apply physics reasoning, explain concepts, and show their process.

Start practicing FRQs long before the exam season. Use real questions from the College Board website, write full explanations, and focus on showing logical reasoning, not just final answers.

Tutors can help students understand what graders look for and how to write responses that earn every possible point.

7. Build Confidence Through Small Wins

Physics can be tough, but small victories add up. Encourage your student to celebrate progress each week, mastering one topic at a time, improving speed, or solving a problem without help.

Confidence is built through consistency, not perfection. The more comfortable students feel tackling challenges, the more naturally they start to enjoy the subject.

Final Thoughts

Succeeding in AP Physics is not about being a genius. It is about building understanding, practicing with purpose, and learning to connect math to meaning.