Advanced Placement
AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism Exam Guide 2024
Written by Apoorvaa Agarwal
Updated on: 22 Nov 2024
Content
- The AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism course is organized into 7 topics: Electric Fields and Forces, Electric Potential and Capacitance, Electric Current and Circuits, Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction, Maxwell’s Equations, and Waves.
- The AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam is divided into two sections: multiple-choice (35 questions, 45 minutes) and free-response (3 questions,45 minutes).
- The mean score for the AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam in 2022 was 3.44 out of 5. This is slightly higher than the mean score for all AP subjects in 2022, which was 2.92.
- The pass rate of the AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism Exam for 2022 was 52.6%. This is slightly lower than the pass rate for AP overall, which was 60.2%.
- With AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism, some majors that you could choose from include physics, engineering, and mathematics. Some of the career pathways that you could pursue include physicist, engineer, mathematician, and data scientist.
Struggling with your AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Exam prep? Finding it challenging to grasp concepts like electric fields, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic waves?
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Exam had a passing rate of 69.4% % in 2022. It is widely regarded as the most difficult AP course, with an average difficulty rating of 8.5 out of 10. However, despite its difficulty, 96% of students who took the course would recommend it to others.
Don’t worry, as this AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Exam guide has everything you need to excel in this demanding AP exam. With comprehensive study materials, practice problems, and expert tips, you’ll be well-prepared to conquer the exam and achieve a top score.
So, let’s dive into the fascinating world of physics and get ready to conquer the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam!
Boost your AP scores before exam day! Book a free trial with Wiingy’s top AP Physics C: E&M tutors and ensure you don’t miss out on scoring high. Every point counts towards your dream college. Act now!
What is the AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam?
The AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam is a standardized AP exam administered by the College Board that assesses a student’s understanding of concepts related to electricity and magnetism at the college level.
It is designed for high school students who have completed a rigorous physics course, and it covers topics such as electric fields, electric potential, capacitance, magnetism, and electromagnetic induction.
The importance of the AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam:
- Demonstrates understanding of advanced physics concepts.
- Can be valuable for college admissions to STEM-related programs.
- Earning a high score will help you get college credit for AP Physics C: E&M which will help you in saving money and time & will help you in graduating earlier than usual.
- It helps develop problem-solving skills and analytical thinking.
AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam format
| Section | No. of Questions | Type of questions | Time limit | Exam Weightage |
| Multiple-choice questions | 35 | Questions are either discrete questions or question sets | 45 mins | 50% |
| Free-response questions | 3 | Questions will include an experimental or lab-based component | 45 mins | 50% |
The AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism course covers several complex topics tested on the exam. The following is a list of the topics and the percentage of their importance on the exam.
Source: College Board
The concepts covered in the Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism AP course are more complex than those taught in introductory physics courses, and require a deeper understanding of mathematical and physical principles.
Topics for the AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam review
| Units Covered | Percentage weightage for the exam (MCQ) |
| Unit 1: Electrostatics | 26-34% |
| Unit 2: Conductors, Capacitors, and dielectrics | 14-17% |
| Unit 3: Electric Circuits | 17-23% |
| Unit 4: Magnetic Fields | 17-23% |
| Unit 5: Magnetism | 14-20% |
When is the AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam in 2024?
The AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam for the year 2024 has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 at 2 PM local time.
Students are required to take the exam at designated schools or testing centers approved by the College Board. To register for the exam, students need to first enroll in the corresponding AP course at their high school, and then sign up through their AP coordinator.
The registration deadline typically falls in the spring, but students should confirm the exact deadline with their AP coordinators. While there is a fee associated with taking the exam, students with financial needs may be eligible for fee reductions or waivers.
Students taking the AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam must follow specific AP credit policies and guidelines.
- Students are required to bring a government-issued photo ID to the exam.
- Calculators are allowed on the exam but must meet the College Board’s guidelines.
- Students are not allowed to bring any electronic devices, including cell phones, into the exam room.
- Cheating or any form of misconduct during the exam is prohibited and can lead to score cancellation and other penalties.
Is the AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam hard?
Is AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Hard? The course is widely regarded as the most difficult AP course, with an average difficulty rating of 8.1 out of 10. Despite its difficulty, 96% of students who took the course would recommend it to others.
The enrollment for the course is relatively small, with approximately 20,000 entries each year.
One of the reasons for the course’s difficulty is that it covers complex college-level physics concepts that can be challenging for high school students. Additionally, the exam requires a strong understanding of advanced mathematics and is time-consuming, which can pose a challenge for some students.
Overall, the course is demanding and requires a great deal of hard work and dedication. However, students willing to put in the effort can reap the rewards of this challenging course.
5 tips for success in the AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam
- “Charge Up” Your Understanding of Fundamentals: Focus on mastering the foundational concepts of electricity and magnetism before tackling complex problems.
- “Get Attracted” to Practice Tests: Familiarize yourself with the exam format and difficulty level by taking as many practice tests as possible.
- “Stay Current” with Formulas and Equations: Review and memorize important formulas and equations, and create a formula sheet for easy reference during the exam.
- “Amp Up” Your Problem-Solving Skills: Use problem-solving strategies, such as identifying given and unknown quantities and drawing diagrams, to solve exam questions efficiently.
- “Stay Grounded” During the Exam: Manage your time wisely, read each question carefully, and stay calm and focused throughout the exam.
How can Wiingy help with AP AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam prep?
In 2022, only 31.5% of the 19,978 students who took the AP AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam scored a 5. While 3 is considered the unofficial passing rate, most elite universities, such as Harvard or Princeton, offer AP credit only if you score 5 or higher.
Getting a 5 is possible if you have the right support in your high school, but that’s rarely the case.
Here at Wiingy, we work with vetted AP AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism tutors with demonstrated expertise and experience in helping students score a 5 on AP exams.
Unlike tutor marketplaces, every Wiingy tutor is screened individually and undergoes a comprehensive assessment.
Less than 3% of applicants are selected to become tutors on Wiingy’s platform, ensuring tutors are highly qualified and experienced in teaching AP courses.
Our tutors will work with you 1-on-1 to master the content and skills you need to succeed.
Experienced tutors can provide you with curriculum-specific guides and practice questions and familiarize you with the exam format to help you ace the test.
We know that sometimes you don’t want to pay for private tutoring because it is too expensive. It’s common to see tutoring costs between $100 to $150 per hour.
Wiingy’s rates are affordable, starting from just $28 per hour, much lower than the average AP tutoring offered by other platforms.
One more advantage of studying with us is that we don’t require you to sign up for any packages or yearly subscriptions. You can sign up for as little as one lesson and add more lessons as per your requirements.
While we try to match you with the perfect tutor as per your needs, we know that sometimes even the best tutors might not be the right fit for you.
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Sign up with Wiingy AP AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Tutoring today and achieve your goal of scoring a 5 on your AP Test!
Conclusion
To summarize, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism encompasses a wide range of challenging units, including electric fields, magnetic fields, circuits, electromagnetic induction, and more. This course pushes students to delve deep into the intricacies of electromagnetism and develop a comprehensive understanding of its principles.
With an average difficulty rating of 8.1 out of 10, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is widely regarded as one of the most demanding AP courses. However, despite its difficulty, an impressive 96% of students who have taken the course would recommend it to others, highlighting the value and rewards of undertaking this intellectual challenge.
By mastering the complex concepts and mathematical principles related to electricity and magnetism, students not only gain a solid foundation in physics but also sharpen their analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Discover how private tutoring can enhance your understanding of science concepts and boost your academic performance in our blog: Achieving Better Grades in Science with Private Tutoring.
Through dedicated study, practice, and exploration of real-world applications, you can excel in the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Exam and forge a path towards a deeper understanding of the physical world.
Boost your AP scores before exam day! Book a free trial with Wiingy’s top AP Physics C: E&M tutors and ensure you don’t miss out on scoring high. Every point counts towards your dream college. Act now!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How many questions on the AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam?
The AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam consists of 35 multiple-choice questions and 3 free-response questions, totaling 38 questions.
What topics are covered in AP Physics C: E&M?
AP Physics C: E&M covers the principles of electricity and magnetism, including Coulomb’s law, electric fields, Gauss’s law, electric potential, capacitance, current, resistance, circuits, magnetic fields, Ampere’s law, Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law, AC circuits, and Maxwell’s equations.
How is AP Physics C: E&M different from AP Physics C: Mechanics?
AP Physics C: E&M focuses on the principles of electricity and magnetism, while AP Physics C: Mechanics focuses on the principles of mechanics, including kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, work and energy, and momentum. Both courses require a solid understanding of calculus.
What are the prerequisites for taking AP Physics C: E&M?
Students who take AP Physics C: E&M should have completed a calculus course or be concurrently enrolled in a calculus course. They should also have completed or be concurrently enrolled in a physics course that covers mechanics.
What resources are available to help prepare for the AP Physics C: E&M exam?
Students can use various resources to prepare for the AP Physics C: E&M exam, including textbooks, review books, online resources, and practice exams. The College Board also provides free practice questions and exams on its website. Additionally, some schools offer review courses or study groups to help students prepare for the exam.
References
- https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-physics-c-electricity-and-magnetism/exam
- https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/ap-physics-c-exam
- https://reports.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/2021-ap-student-score-distributions_1.pdf
- https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-score-distributions-by-subject-2022.pdf
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Apoorvaa AgarwalReviewed by
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