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  3. AP Physics - Q&A: FRQ Strategies & Exam Grading Tips

ap physics - q&a: frq strategies & exam grading tips

originally streamed in 2020 with John Frensley, Christian Horner, and Oather StrawdermanTeachers
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Learn proven strategies from AP Physics exam readers in this NMSI chat session. Get insider tips on how your free-response answers are graded and what readers look for on exam day. This session reveals the ABCD and CBDA methods for tackling physics ...more

curriculum note

This video was recorded for the 2020 AP exam, which used a special online-only format (typed responses, no free-body diagrams or graphs, e-ticket submission, different timing) due to COVID-19. The exam format, submission procedures, and some strategic advice (e.g., typing vs. handwriting) no longer apply to the current in-person exam.

timestamps

  • 0:00

    Introductions and Backgrounds

  • 0:30

    John Frensley's Experience

  • 1:00

    Friendly Physics Facebook Page

  • 1:32

    Christian Horner's Introduction

  • 2:06

    Jonathan Strouderman's Role

  • 2:38

    ABCD Method Overview

  • 3:10

    CBDA Variation Explained

  • 3:40

    Prioritizing Physics Principles

  • 4:43

    Framework for Conceptual Questions

  • 5:14

    ABCD as Checklist

  • 5:44

    Assertion and Underlining Tips

  • 6:45

    Order and Elegance Discussion

  • 7:17

    Including Basic Physics

  • 7:47

    Equation Sheet Annotations

  • 8:48

    Applying ABCD to Example

  • 9:20

    Citing Information from Situation

  • 9:50

    Basic Physics Application

  • 10:23

    Conservation of Energy

  • 10:53

    Drawing Ideas Together

  • 11:24

    Rubric Points Check

  • 12:27

    CBDA Illustration

  • 12:58

    Importance of Time in Air

  • 13:30

    Compare and Contrast Physics

  • 14:01

    Briefly Explain Tips

  • 14:33

    Space and Time Management

  • 15:05

    Answering Questions Efficiently

  • 15:36

    Next CBDA Example

  • 16:06

    Citing Heights and Speeds

  • 16:37

    Highest Average Speed

  • 17:07

    Emphasizing Answer at End

  • 17:41

    Exam Formats Overview

  • 18:12

    Demo Site and Tech Check

  • 18:45

    QQT Tips and Tricks

  • 19:17

    Multiple Representations

  • 19:48

    Repeating for Clarity

  • 20:18

    Relating Parts Together

  • 20:50

    Paragraph Argument Response

  • 21:22

    Getting Paragraph Point

  • 21:53

    Typing vs Handwriting

  • 22:25

    Experimental Design FRQs

  • 22:55

    Basic Lab Design

  • 23:27

    Graphing and Analysis

  • 23:57

    Slope Information

  • 24:27

    D Square Procedure

  • 24:58

    Importance for Physics C

  • 25:29

    Graphs and Relationships

  • 26:01

    Exam Preparation Tips

  • 26:32

    AP Demo Site Practice

  • 27:02

    E-Ticket and Checklist

  • 27:34

    Time Zones and Readiness

  • 28:04

    June Exam Advice

  • 28:34

    Questions and Resources

  • 29:07

    FRQ Types and Prep

  • 29:39

    Released Exams Practice

  • 30:09

    Exam Difficulty Assurance

  • 30:40

    Standard Setting Process

  • 31:11

    Parking Lot Questions

  • 31:42

    Teacher Email Answers

  • 32:13

    Demo Upload Practice

  • 32:44

    Exam Day Checklist

  • 33:16

    Review Books and Videos

  • 33:47

    Recommended YouTube Channels

  • 34:17

    Yao Zhang's Resources

  • 34:49

    TWU Physics Channel

  • 35:22

    Released FRQs and Rubrics

  • 35:53

    Flipping Physics Reviews

  • 36:25

    A Plus Physics Site

  • 36:57

    EM Videos Recommendation

  • 37:30

    Mechanics Content Links

  • 38:00

    Times Bigger Explanation

  • 38:30

    2017 Physics 1 Example

  • 39:00

    Plausible Equation Analysis

  • 39:31

    Rod and Disc Setup

  • 40:02

    Rotational Speed Equation

  • 40:32

    Numerator Denominator Check

  • 41:03

    Inertia and Mass Placement

  • 41:34

    Subtraction vs Addition

  • 42:06

    Constants in Equations

  • 42:37

    Briefly Explain Reasoning

  • 43:09

    Qualitative Quantitative Translation

  • 43:41

    Reader Perspective

  • 44:12

    Avoiding Contradictions

  • 44:43

    Not Getting Flustered

  • 45:13

    Equation Sheet Printing

  • 45:46

    Algebra vs Calculus Equations

  • 46:17

    Physics 2 Unit Pairing

  • 46:48

    Fluids and Thermo Link

  • 47:20

    Balloon in Lake Example

  • 47:50

    Paragraph Response Complexity

  • 48:22

    Review Videos Location

  • 48:53

    2017 Scoring Rubric

  • 49:25

    Addressing Variables

  • 49:57

    Centripetal Force Explanation

  • 50:28

    Net Force in Circles

  • 51:01

    Centripetal Label

  • 51:33

    Forces Acting as Centripetal

  • 52:03

    CBDA for SHM Question

  • 52:34

    2018 Physics 1 Example

  • 53:05

    Amplitude and Energy

  • 53:36

    SHM Not on Mechanics

  • 54:07

    Inelastic Collision

  • 54:39

    Energy and Amplitude Decrease

  • 55:09

    Closing and Thanks

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APĀ® and SATĀ® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

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Resources

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history

šŸŒŽ ap world historyšŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø ap us historyšŸ‡ŖšŸ‡ŗ ap european history

social science

āœŠšŸæ ap african american studiesšŸ—³ļø ap comparative government🚜 ap human geographyšŸ’¶ ap macroeconomicsšŸ¤‘ ap microeconomics🧠 ap psychologyšŸ‘©šŸ¾ā€āš–ļø ap us government

english & capstone

āœšŸ½ ap english languagešŸ“š ap english literaturešŸ” ap researchšŸ’¬ ap seminar

arts

šŸŽØ ap art & designšŸ–¼ļø ap art historyšŸŽµ ap music theory

science

🧬 ap biology🧪 ap chemistryā™»ļø ap environmental sciencešŸŽ” ap physics 1🧲 ap physics 2šŸ’” ap physics c: e&māš™ļø ap physics c: mechanics

math & computer science

🧮 ap calculus abā™¾ļø ap calculus bcšŸ“ ap precalculusšŸ“Š ap statisticsšŸ’» ap computer science aāŒØļø ap computer science p

world languages

šŸ‡ØšŸ‡³ ap chinesešŸ‡«šŸ‡· ap frenchšŸ‡©šŸ‡Ŗ ap germanšŸ‡®šŸ‡¹ ap italianšŸ‡ÆšŸ‡µ ap japanesešŸ›ļø ap latinšŸ‡ŖšŸ‡ø ap spanish languagešŸ’ƒšŸ½ ap spanish literature

career kickstart

šŸ’¼ ap business with personal financešŸ”’ ap cybersecurity

go beyond AP

high school exams

āœļø PSATšŸŽ“ Digital SATšŸŽ’ ACT

honors classes

šŸ¬ honors algebra IIšŸ«€ honors anatomyšŸ‡ honors biologyšŸ‘©šŸ½ā€šŸ”¬ honors chemistryšŸ’² honors economicsšŸ“ honors geometryāš¾ļø honors physicsšŸ“ honors pre-calculusšŸ“Š honors statisticsšŸ—³ļø honors us governmentšŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø honors us historyšŸŒŽ honors world history

college classes

šŸ‘©šŸ½ā€šŸŽ¤ artsšŸ‘” businessšŸŽ¤ communicationsšŸ—ļø engineeringšŸ““ humanitiesāž— mathšŸ§‘šŸ½ā€šŸ”¬ sciencešŸ’¶ social science

hs classes

šŸ›ļø alabama historyā›°ļø appalachian studies🌓 california historyšŸŒ earth science🌐 ethnic studies🐊 florida historyšŸ‘ georgia historyšŸŒŽ global studies🌺 hawaiian studiesšŸ“° journalism🪶 native american studies🌵 new mexico history🤠 oklahoma historyāš—ļø physical sciencešŸŽ™ļø speech and debatešŸ¤ texas government🤠 texas history🌲 washington state historyšŸ•Šļø world religions
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Ā© 2026 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

APĀ® and SATĀ® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.