AP Physics 1 is algebra-based and covers classical mechanics only. It is the right choice if you have not yet completed calculus. AP Physics C (Mechanics or E&M) is calculus-based, goes deeper, and is the stronger choice for students aiming at engineering, physics, or a competitive STEM program. Most students in strong university-track programs should take AP Physics C Mechanics if they are concurrently enrolled in or have already completed AP Calculus AB.
Every year, students planning their grade 11 or 12 course load hit the same wall: AP Physics 1 or AP Physics C? The two courses share a name and a subject, but they are built for different students with different goals. Here is a clear breakdown of how to choose.
What each course covers
AP Physics 1 (as redesigned for the 2025 exam) is an algebra-based course covering classical mechanics only. That means kinematics, Newton’s laws, work and energy, momentum, rotation, simple harmonic motion, and gravitation. The electricity and waves content that used to appear in AP Physics 1 was moved out of the course in the 2025 restructuring.
AP Physics C is calculus-based and offered as two separate exams. AP Physics C: Mechanics covers the same mechanical topics as Physics 1, but at a significantly deeper level using derivatives and integrals. AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism covers circuits, capacitance, magnetic fields, induction, and Maxwell’s equations, again with calculus throughout.
Students can take one or both AP Physics C exams. Most take Mechanics first and add E&M in the same year or the year after.
Who should take which
| Factor | AP Physics 1 | AP Physics C |
|---|---|---|
| Math prerequisite | Algebra and trigonometry | Concurrent or completed calculus |
| Depth of content | Conceptual and algebraic problem-solving | Derivation-heavy, calculus throughout |
| Best for | Life sciences, pre-med track, or first exposure to physics | Engineering, physics, CS, or competitive STEM applicants |
| Typical grade level | Grade 11 or 12 | Grade 12 (alongside or after AP Calc AB/BC) |
| Exam length | 3 hours | 1.5 hours per exam (Mech or E&M) |
If a student is in grade 11 and has not yet taken calculus, AP Physics 1 is the correct starting point. If a student is in grade 12, is currently in AP Calculus, and is applying to engineering or science programs, AP Physics C Mechanics is the stronger choice.
Score distributions and difficulty
AP Physics 1 is one of the harder AP exams by pass rate. In recent years, only about 40 to 45 percent of test-takers score a 3 or higher, and the 5 rate sits around 10 to 12 percent. The questions are less about calculation and more about explaining physical concepts in writing, which catches many students off guard.
AP Physics C Mechanics, by contrast, has a 5 rate above 30 percent most years. This seems counterintuitive for a harder course. The difference is the self-selecting nature of the exam pool: students who sit AP Physics C Mechanics have generally done well in calculus, have stronger study habits, and are more focused on STEM. The raw difficulty of the material is higher, but the students taking it are better prepared.
AP Physics C E&M is harder still, with pass rates similar to AP Physics 1, but the student pool is even more self-selected. Scoring a 5 on both C exams is considered a strong signal by admissions offices at schools like Waterloo, UofT Engineering, and McGill.
What universities want to see
For engineering and physics programs, AP Physics C Mechanics carries significantly more weight than AP Physics 1. Schools like the University of Waterloo, Queen’s Engineering, and UofT Engineering Science view the C exams as better predictors of readiness for first-year mechanics and electromagnetism courses.
For pre-med and life science applicants, AP Physics 1 is usually fine. Medical schools in Canada and the US do not require AP credit in physics, and a strong grade in AP Physics 1 is sufficient background.
One practical consideration: some universities grant first-year course credit for a 4 or 5 on AP Physics C but not for AP Physics 1. Waterloo Engineering, for example, does not grant credit for AP Physics 1 scores but does grant credit for strong AP Physics C results. Confirm with each program’s admissions page before making your final decision.
The Toronto context
In Ontario, physics is taught in the SPH3U (grade 11) and SPH4U (grade 12) streams. Many Toronto-area high schools offer AP courses alongside the Ontario curriculum. Students at schools like Bayview Secondary, Richmond Hill High, or Earl Haig often take SPH4U and AP Physics C in the same year.
If you are at a school that offers AP Physics C and you are in AP Calculus concurrently, taking Physics C Mechanics in grade 12 is the standard choice for engineering-track students in this region. If your school only offers AP Physics 1, that is still a meaningful credential, especially paired with strong grades in SPH4U.
Students at Exploring Scholar preparing for AP Physics exams work with instructors who know both the Ontario physics curriculum and the AP exam format. If you are deciding between Physics 1 and Physics C, or need targeted preparation for either exam, our team can help you build a plan. Learn more about our AP and IB programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take both AP Physics 1 and AP Physics C in the same year?
It is possible but not recommended for most students. AP Physics C Mechanics covers all the same mechanical topics as AP Physics 1, but at a higher level. If you are ready for AP Physics C, there is little reason to also take Physics 1 in the same year. Some students take Physics 1 in grade 11 and Physics C in grade 12, which is a reasonable progression.
Is AP Physics C harder than AP Physics 1?
The material in AP Physics C is more advanced because it requires calculus. However, the pool of students who take Physics C tends to be more prepared, so the average score on Physics C Mechanics is actually higher than on Physics 1. In terms of what you need to know, Physics C is harder. In terms of your chances of getting a 4 or 5, Physics C Mechanics is often the better bet for students who are strong in math.
Does AP Physics C require calculus?
Yes. Calculus is not just helpful for AP Physics C, it is essential. Problems on the AP Physics C exams require integration and differentiation. College Board recommends taking AP Physics C concurrently with or after AP Calculus AB. Students who have not started calculus should not take AP Physics C.
Which AP Physics course is better for pre-med students?
AP Physics 1 is generally sufficient for pre-med students. Medical school prerequisites in Canada and the US typically require one year of introductory physics, which AP Physics 1 covers. That said, if you are a strong math student, taking AP Physics C does not hurt, and it demonstrates broader STEM ability during undergraduate admissions.
Do Ontario universities give credit for AP Physics?
It varies by school and program. Waterloo Engineering grants credit for strong AP Physics C scores but generally does not grant credit for AP Physics 1. UofT credits are assessed by department. Always check the specific program’s AP credit policy directly on the university’s admissions website before relying on credit transfer as part of your planning.
Need help deciding which AP Physics course is right for you?
Our instructors work with students at all stages of AP Physics preparation, from building the algebra fundamentals needed for Physics 1 to the calculus mechanics work required for Physics C. We match the right approach to the right student.