AP Physics C: Mechanics - 2017 Administration - Exam Instructions and Guidelines

AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam (2017 Administration)

General Information

  • This practice exam is from the 2017 administration of the Physics C: Mechanics AP Exam.
  • The exam materials are provided by the College Board for AP Exam preparation.
  • The materials are not to be posted on school or personal websites, nor electronically redistributed.
  • Teachers can download and make copies for classroom use only.
  • Materials should be collected after administration and kept in a secure location to maintain exam security.
  • Unauthorized distribution violates the College Board’s copyright policies and may result in consequences, such as termination of Practice Exam access or removal of access to other online services.
  • © 2017 The College Board

Contents of the Exam Materials

  • Exam Instructions
  • Student Answer Sheet for the Multiple-Choice Section
  • Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions
  • Section II: Free-Response Questions
  • Multiple-Choice Answer Key
  • Free-Response Scoring Guidelines
  • Scoring Worksheet
  • Question Descriptors and Performance Data
  • Note: Page numbers correspond to the 2016-17 AP Exam Instructions book and the actual exam.

Exam Instructions

  • Instructions are taken from the 2016-17 AP Exam Instructions book.

Proctor's Responsibilities

  • Materials to Bring:
    • Exam packets
    • Answer sheets
    • AP Student Packs
    • 2016-17 AP Coordinator’s Manual
    • AP Exam Instructions book
    • AP Exam Seating Chart template
    • School Code and Home-School/Self-Study Codes
    • Extra calculators
    • Extra rulers or straightedges
    • Pencil sharpener
    • Container for students’ electronic devices (if needed)
    • Extra No. 2 pencils with erasers
    • Extra pens with black or dark blue ink
    • Extra paper
    • Stapler
    • Watch
    • Signs for the door: "Exam in Progress" and "Cell phones are prohibited in the testing room"
  • Before Distributing Exams:
    • Check that the title on all exam covers is Physics C: Mechanics. Report any discrepancies to the AP coordinator.
  • Calculator Policy:
    • Students are permitted to use rulers, straightedges, and four-function, scientific, or graphing calculators.
    • Ensure each student has an appropriate calculator, and graphing calculators are on the approved list (see page 49 of the 2016-17 AP Coordinator’s Manual).
    • If a student does not have an appropriate calculator, provide one or have them sign the release statement on page 47 of the AP Coordinator’s Manual.
    • Students may have no more than two calculators on their desks during Section II.
    • Calculators may not be shared.
    • Calculator memories do not need to be cleared.
    • Hewlett-Packard 48–50 Series and Casio FX-9860 graphing calculators may use cards designed for use with these calculators.
    • Monitor calculator use to prevent attempts to remove exam questions and/or answers which may result in score cancellation.

Exam Dates and Times

  • Regularly Scheduled Exam Date: Monday afternoon, May 8, 2017
  • Late-Testing Exam Date: Friday afternoon, May 19, 2017

Exam Format

  • Section I: Multiple Choice
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Calculator Allowed
    • Number of Questions: 35 (may vary slightly)
    • Percent of Total Score: 50%
    • Writing Instrument: Pencil required
  • Section II: Free Response
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Calculator Allowed
    • Number of Questions: 3
    • Percent of Total Score: 50%
    • Writing Instrument: Pen with black or dark blue ink, or pencil

Additional Instructions

  • Tables containing commonly used equations in physics are included in each AP Exam booklet.
  • Students are not allowed to bring their own copies of the equation tables to the exam room.
  • Students may take both Physics C exams (Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism), Mechanics only, or Electricity and Magnetism only.
  • The Mechanics exam is administered first, followed by a break, then the Electricity and Magnetism exam.
  • Ensure to distribute the correct exam packets and answer sheets at the beginning of each session.
  • The time allowed for survey questions is in addition to the actual test-taking time.
  • Seating charts are required for this exam. Refer to pages 325–326 for a template and the 2016-17 AP Coordinator’s Manual for seating requirements.

Instructions for Administering the Exam

  • Regularly Scheduled Exam:
    • Say: "It is Monday afternoon, May 8, and you will be taking the AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam."
  • Alternate Exam for Late Testing:
    • Say: "It is Friday afternoon, May 19, and you will be taking the AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam."
  • Instruct students to confirm that the exam title is “AP Physics C: Mechanics.”
  • Students should remove the shrinkwrap from the exam packet and take out the Section I booklet, but not open it until instructed.

During Section I

  • Students should carefully remove the AP Exam label and place it on page 1 of their answer sheet.
  • Read statements on the front cover of Section I.
  • Sign name and write the date.
  • Print full legal name.
  • Open answer sheet to page 2.
  • Complete the answer sheet using a No. 2 pencil only.
  • Mark responses beginning on page 2, one response per question.
  • Erase completely if necessary.
  • No credit is given for anything written in the exam booklet.
  • Rulers, straightedges, and calculators may be used.
  • 45 minutes are allotted for Section I.
  • After 35 minutes, say: "There are 10 minutes remaining."
  • After 10 minutes, say: "Stop working and turn to the last page in your booklet."
  • Students have 2 minutes to answer survey questions 101–106, which do not affect their score.

After Section I

  • After the survey questions: "Close your booklet and put your answer sheet on your desk, face up. Make sure you have your AP number label and an AP Exam label on page 1 of your answer sheet. Sit quietly while I collect your answer sheets."
  • Collect answer sheets, checking for AP number and AP Exam labels.
  • Say: "Now you must seal your exam booklet using the white seals you set aside earlier. Remove the white seals from the backing and press one on each area of your exam booklet cover marked “PLACE SEAL HERE.” Fold each seal over the back cover. When you have finished, place the booklet on your desk, face up. I will now collect your Section I booklet."

During Section II

  • "May I have everyone’s attention? Place your Student Pack on your desk."
  • Remove shrinkwrap from the Section II packet, but do not open the exam booklet until instructed.
  • Read bulleted statements on the front cover of the exam booklet.
  • Take an AP number label from your Student Pack and place it on the shaded box. If you don’t have any AP number labels, write your AP number in the box.
  • Read the last statement.
  • Using a pen with black or dark blue ink, print the first, middle, and last initials of your legal name and the date.
  • Turn to the back cover and complete Item 1 under “Important Identification Information.” Print the first two letters of your last name and the first letter of your first name.
  • In Item 2, print your date of birth.
  • In Item 3, write the school code.
  • Read Item 4.
  • Collect Student Packs from students taking other AP Exams, unless they are taking the Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam.

Section II Instructions

  • Rulers, straightedges, and calculators may be used.
  • You have 45 minutes to complete Section II. Pace yourself and proceed freely from one question to the next.
  • Write answers in the exam booklet using pen (black or dark blue ink) or a No. 2 pencil. If using a pencil, ensure the writing is dark enough.
  • Extra paper is allowed – write AP number and question number on each extra sheet.
  • After 35 minutes, say: "There are 10 minutes remaining."
  • After 10 minutes, say: "Stop working and close your exam booklet. Place it on your desk, face up."
  • Have students staple extra sheets to the first page of the corresponding question.
  • Complete an Incident Report if extra sheets are used.

After Section II

  • Collect a Section II booklet from each student.
  • Check the exam booklet front cover for AP number label, initials, and date.
  • Check the exam booklet back cover for completed "Important Identification Information."

Dismissal

  • Return electronic devices to students taking Mechanics only.
  • "You may not discuss or share the free-response exam content with anyone unless it is released on the College Board website in about two days. Your AP Exam score results will be available online in July."
  • If this is the late testing exam, say: "None of the content in this exam may ever be discussed or shared in any way at any time. Your AP Exam score results will be available online in July."
  • Remind students to take their AP number card.
  • Dismissal instructions vary depending on whether students are taking only Mechanics or also Electricity and Magnetism. If those taking both exams, tell the E&M group there will be a 10 minute break where they cannot access anything.

Post-Exam Tasks

  • Give the completed seating chart to the AP coordinator.
  • Retain seating charts for at least six months.
  • Complete the “School Use Only” section on page 1 of the answer sheet.

Student Answer Sheet

  • Instructions for completing the multiple-choice answer sheet include signing the name, writing the date, and printing full legal name.
  • Areas for AP Exam Label and AP Number Label are indicated.
  • Students must complete the answer sheet using a No. 2 pencil only.
  • Detailed instructions for filling out name, address, school, and other information are provided.

Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions

  • Includes cover material and administrative instructions.
  • 35 multiple-choice questions, 45 minutes, calculator allowed, pencil required.
  • Instructions for answering questions are provided.
  • Points are not deducted for incorrect answers or unanswered questions.

Section II: Free-Response Questions

  • Includes cover material and administrative instructions.
  • 3 free-response questions, 45 minutes, calculator allowed, pen or pencil allowed.
  • Show all work in the spaces provided.
  • All final numerical answers should include appropriate units.