Cavic Physics

A world of teaching Physics and Astronomy

Tag: national exam

AP Physics Pass Rate Reflections

May 22, 2017 /

How much does your AP Physics pass rate matter as a teacher? I started teaching AP Physics 1 two years ago. I was scared. The national pass rate was appallingly bad and I was afraid to push a course that no one could pass on my students.

Here is some data from the 2016 AP Physics 1 exam courtesy of Total Registration
Here is some data from the 2016 AP Physics 1 exam courtesy of Total Registration

I feel very different after teaching it and getting through two National Exams.

What does the national AP Physics pass rate tell us?

I firmly believe that the national pass rate does not accurately reflect the course. If you look at the numbers, many many more students took AP Physics 1 than the old B exam. Schools seemed to have pushed AP Physics on too many unprepared students. Additionally, I have heard tales of freshmen taking it, of schools completely abolishing all Physics but AP, and offering 1 and 2 in the same year. I think all of these things artificially deflate the AP Physics pass rate.

What’s the big difference in the newer course? Less rote memorization and plug-and-chug. More analysis and critical thinking. These are important skills that I hope my students take away from the course. I always say that Physics teaches you how to think. For instance, I’d rather my students remember how to think than recite a definition. I posted here about how I rethought my classroom to make it more student-centered – these types of strategies are definitely important to adjust our teaching to include inquiry and critical thinking.

My hypothesis is that the national pass rate will slowly rise to 50% or so as teachers learn the test and students are able to more adequately prepare. Also, it will take time for teachers and students to adjust to the new exam format. , This exam has almost no calculations and hopefully will create change overall in how Physics is taught. Physics education as a whole seems to be moving towards conceptual understanding, inquiry, and a more hands-on approach. Only time will tell. My biggest fear is that students will see the pass rate and not take the class. They’d be missing out on an amazing adventure.

5 Tips for tackling the AP Physics FRQs

May 16, 2017 /

The free-response questions on the AP Physics 1 and 2 exams can be daunting. Students tend to not be used to writing in science classes, and the AP Physics B exam had a lot more calculations and a lot fewer explanations. These FRQs require careful thought and deep knowledge of physics concepts. Here are my top tips for tackling the AP Physics FRQs.

1. Support your answer.

This is my biggest pet peeve with student responses. If a question says to refer to a graph or has to analyze a student’s statement or uses any sort of source, directly refer back to that source.

For example, question #2 on the 2016 AP Physics 1 exam was an experimental design question that referenced a student’s hypothesis. The experiment outlined should directly address this, not just generally discuss the overarching concept.

Make sure that explanations are not generally statements, but directly refer back to the question at hand.

2. Do not just write equations into words.

The qualitative/quantitative translation question will frequently include parts that say “explain without the use of equations.” This does not mean to write out “Well, force equals mass times acceleration…” Be sure to explain, and make reference to the law or principle you are explaining. The AP Physics FRQs are looking for students’ mastery of the content – not reciting equations.

2017 AP Physics 1 question #3 is a great example of qualitative/quantitative translation AP Physics FRQs.
2017 AP Physics 1 FRQ #1 demonstrates how students need to be able to explain without using equations.

3. Know when to explain and when to not.

Sometimes, a question says things like “State…” or “Determine…” These types of questions are looking for an answer, not a long winded explanation. Read the first word of the question to clue in to what type of answer is needed. Take a look at this document to help with what different exam words mean.

4. Use the given symbols.

If a problem has you solve something symbolically, use the given symbols. For example, a question might read, “Solve for the acceleration in terms of m, θ, and physical constants.” This means your answer should not have tension, friction, normal force, or any other variables in it.

5. Be clear and concise.

Most answers are designed that a simple sentence or two can explain what you need, except of course the paragraph-length response. Even for the paragraph, however, it is important to get to the point. Writing a diatribe about an unrelated concept shows that you do not truly know the principle at hand. For example, I posted about the 2017 AP Physics 1 paragraph-length question here.

Dina Cavicchia, creator of Cavic Physics, is a Physics teacher from Orlando, Florida. She has taught Physics for ten years. Her teaching experience includes AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, Honors and Standard level Physics, and Honors Astronomy. Her passions include all things space, science advocacy, and teaching science through collaborative learning. Connect with Dina on Twitter. Check out Dina’s Physics and Astronomy resources available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

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