AP Physics 1 · Cram chart

AP Physics 1 cheat sheet a unit-by-unit cram chart.

This AP Physics 1 cheat sheet goes past the formula list: for each of the eight units it pairs the key idea with the must-know equation and the mistake that costs students points. Use it as a fast cram chart in your final week of review.

Updated June 2026Part of AP Physics 1 Review

What an AP Physics 1 cheat sheet is (and what you can’t bring)

A cheat sheet here means a condensed, high-yield study tool, not something you sneak into the exam. You cannot bring your own notes into an AP exam — the only reference you get is the official equation sheet, which is provided for you. Think of this page as the thing you review the night before, not the thing you carry in.

What makes a cheat sheet more useful than the raw equation list is context: the one idea each unit is really testing, and the slip that turns a correct setup into a wrong answer.

Cheat sheet vs equation sheet

They do different jobs. The equation sheet is the complete, official list of formulas you are handed on test day. This cheat sheet is shorter and concept-first: it reminds you when each relationship applies and where students go wrong, which is exactly what the equation sheet leaves out.

The unit-by-unit cram chart

Eight units, each boiled down to the idea, the formula to reach for, and the trap to dodge.

Unit 1 — Kinematics

Idea: motion graphs tell the story. Reach for: v² = v₀² + 2aΔx. Watch out: treating velocity and acceleration as the same sign — they often point opposite ways.

Unit 2 — Forces

Idea: draw the free-body diagram first. Reach for: ΣF = ma along each axis. Watch out: forgetting that the normal force is not always equal to mg.

Unit 3 — Energy

Idea: track energy in and out of the system. Reach for: W_net = ΔK and energy conservation. Watch out: double-counting work and a potential-energy change for the same force.

Unit 4 — Momentum

Idea: momentum is conserved in collisions; energy is not always. Reach for: Σp_i = Σp_f. Watch out: dropping the vector signs in a head-on collision.

Unit 5 — Torque & rotation

Idea: torque is the rotational version of force. Reach for: Στ = Iα and τ = rF·sinθ. Watch out: using the wrong distance — it is the lever arm, not just r.

Unit 6 — Rotating systems

Idea: angular momentum is conserved when net torque is zero. Reach for: L = Iω. Watch out: forgetting that changing the shape changes I, so ω changes too.

Unit 7 — Oscillations

Idea: period depends on the system, not the amplitude. Reach for: T_s = 2π√(m/k), T_p = 2π√(L/g). Watch out: thinking a bigger swing means a longer period — it does not.

Unit 8 — Fluids

Idea: pressure grows with depth; flow speeds up where it narrows. Reach for: P = P₀ + ρgh and A₁v₁ = A₂v₂. Watch out: mixing up buoyant force with the object’s weight.

Where students lose the most points

Most lost points on AP Physics 1 are not formula errors — they are reasoning errors. Free-response graders want a claim, the physics behind it, and the connection to the data, so a correct number with no explanation often earns little. Watch your units, keep vector directions straight, and show the step that links your equation to the answer. Our FRQ guide breaks down how each free-response question is scored.

How to use this in your last week

Read one unit of the cram chart, then do two or three free-response questions from that unit and grade yourself against the idea-formula-mistake row. Close gaps with the Progress Check walkthroughs, keep the equation sheet open so the symbols feel familiar, and check a practice raw score with the score calculator to see where you stand.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers — written by humans, not a chatbot.

Can I bring a cheat sheet into the AP Physics 1 exam?

No. The only reference allowed is the official equation sheet, which is provided. A cheat sheet is a study tool for review beforehand.

What is the difference between a cheat sheet and the equation sheet?

The equation sheet is the official formula list you are given. A cheat sheet adds the key idea and the common mistake for each unit, so it is better for revision.

What is the best way to review AP Physics 1 in the last week?

Work one unit at a time: review the cram chart, do a few free-response questions, and grade your reasoning, not just your final number.

Does a cheat sheet help with the free-response section?

Indirectly, yes. Knowing each unit’s key idea and common mistake helps you structure the written explanations that graders reward.

Is AP Physics 1 hard?

It is one of the more demanding AP exams because it tests reasoning over recall. Our difficulty guide gives an honest breakdown.