AP Physics 2 Unit Tests
Pick a unit to drill it head-on. Each unit has 4 different test variations so you can keep retaking until you master it.
Unit 1: Waves, Sound & Physical Optics
Wave properties, sound, standing waves, interference, and diffraction (moved into Physics 2 in the 2024-25 CED).
12 questions · ~18 min
Unit 2: Thermodynamics
Heat, gas laws, kinetic theory, the first & second laws, and engines.
12 questions · ~18 min
Unit 3–4: Electric Force, Field & Potential
Coulomb’s law, electric fields, potential, and capacitors.
12 questions · ~18 min
Unit 5: Circuits
Ohm’s law, series & parallel circuits, Kirchhoff’s rules, and RC circuits.
12 questions · ~18 min
Unit 6: Magnetism & EM Induction
Magnetic fields, forces on charges, induced EMF, and Lenz’s law.
12 questions · ~18 min
Unit 7: Geometric & Physical Optics
Reflection, refraction, lenses & mirrors, interference, and diffraction.
12 questions · ~18 min
Unit 8: Modern Physics
Photoelectric effect, atomic models, nuclear physics, and mass-energy equivalence.
12 questions · ~18 min
How unit tests work
- Focused on a single AP unit, between a single-topic quiz and the full diagnostic.
- 4 variations per unit — pick a fresh variation any time you retake.
- Roughly 90 seconds per question — the same pacing as the AP exam.
- You'll get a unit-level score, recommended topics to review, and a question-by-question explanation.
About the AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam
AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, second-year physics course that picks up where Physics 1 leaves off and, after the 2024-25 redesign, no longer includes fluids (now part of Physics 1). The course concentrates on thermodynamics; electric force, field, and potential; electric circuits; magnetism and electromagnetic induction; geometric and physical optics; waves and sound; and modern physics, including quantum, atomic, and nuclear phenomena along with topics like blackbody radiation and Compton scattering added in the revision. As an algebra-based course it avoids calculus but demands sophisticated conceptual reasoning across a broad range of phenomena that are often less intuitive than mechanics. Students must reason about invisible fields, energy at the particulate and electromagnetic level, and wave behavior, and they must connect microscopic models to macroscopic observations. The exam, like Physics 1, emphasizes explanation and argumentation: free-response questions require translating between representations, designing experiments, and justifying conclusions in clear prose, not just computing answers. Common difficulties include applying conservation principles in electrical and thermal contexts, keeping track of signs and directions for fields and forces, and analyzing circuits with combinations of resistors and capacitors. Optics trips up many students because ray diagrams, lens/mirror equations, and interference all require careful sign conventions and geometric reasoning. The four-option multiple-choice format and removal of multi-select questions match the broader AP Physics redesign. The most effective preparation revisits Physics 1 reasoning habits while drilling each new domain conceptually, practicing released free-response questions against official rubrics, and treating diagrams, equations, and words as equivalent ways to express the same physics.
Exam structure
Two sections over 3 hours, each worth 50%: Section I is 40 single-select multiple-choice questions (four options) in 80 minutes; Section II is 4 free-response questions in 100 minutes with varying point values, spanning question types such as mathematical routines, translation between representations, experimental design, and qualitative/quantitative translation.
Scoring
Section I (50%) and Section II (50%) combine into a composite that is converted to the reported AP score of 1 to 5.
Common mistakes
- Losing track of signs and directions for electric and magnetic fields, forces, and potentials
- Misanalyzing circuits, especially series/parallel resistor combinations and capacitor behavior in steady state versus transient conditions
- Mishandling optics sign conventions in lens and mirror equations and confusing real versus virtual, inverted versus upright images
- Applying conservation of energy and charge incorrectly in thermal and electrical contexts
- Computing numerical answers without the conceptual justification and clear reasoning the free-response rubrics require