AP Physics C: Mechanics Tutoring & Prep Course
Short answer
The AP Physics C: Mechanics group course is live online: 50 lessons, 90 minutes each, 75 hours in all.
Group lessons are taught in classes of at most 6 students.
The current group's lessons began on 10 October 2026. The group course fee is €1,573 in one payment.
Try the free AP Physics C: Mechanics practice test
AP Physics C: Mechanics tutoring with calculus-based mechanics, FRQ strategy and intensive problem solving for a score of 5.
One-to-one and small groups · Live online · College Board curriculum
100% live online lessons
About the subject
AP Physics C: Mechanics: what it covers and who it suits
AP Physics C: Mechanics tutoring at TestPrep Europe covers all seven units — kinematics; force and translational dynamics; work, energy and power; linear momentum; torque and rotational dynamics; energy and momentum of rotating systems; and oscillations — in the calculus-based form expected by the College Board. The exam rewards explicit derivation: where AP Physics 1 expects an answer, Physics C expects the integral or differential equation behind it.
Your lessons are taught by Ali Ertan, who teach AP Physics C: Mechanics.
- Calculus-based treatment of every unit from kinematics to oscillations
- Explicit derivations using ∫ F dx, dp/dt, ∫ τ dθ written out, not skipped
- Free-body and energy diagrams drilled before every problem
Read more
AP Physics C: Mechanics is a calculus-based mechanics course that mirrors the first semester of university engineering physics. It is relevant for students applying to physics, mechanical, aerospace and electrical engineering programmes, and a qualifying score can earn credit for a first university physics course, depending on the university.
AP Physics C: Mechanics is equivalent to the first semester of a university calculus-based physics sequence. The course rebuilds Newtonian mechanics with the tools of calculus: kinematics with variable acceleration, Newton's laws as differential equations, work and energy as integrals, and full rotational dynamics including moment-of-inertia calculations from first principles. The exam runs 3 hours (42 multiple-choice questions in 85 minutes, then four free-response questions in 95 minutes), and every question is dense and quantitative. Students in this programme are typically applying to highly selective engineering programmes; our work focuses on intensive problem solving and FRQ analysis from released exams.
One-to-one AP Physics C: Mechanics tutoring
Our one-to-one AP tutoring is built entirely around the student's current level and target score. Each lesson works on your specific weak topics, drills exam-format questions and teaches free-response and essay technique with the College Board's scoring guidelines in front of us. Our tutors follow every revision of the Course and Exam Description, so the work you put in matches what is rewarded in May.
AP Physics C: Mechanics small-group course
Our small-group AP courses (no more than 6 students per class) give you a structured weekly programme alongside students aiming for the same score. The syllabus follows the College Board's Course and Exam Description unit by unit, and every lesson is taught live online.
Exam
AP Physics C: Mechanics exam format
The College Board runs the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam every May. Sections, timing and weighting:
Section I: Multiple Choice
50%42 questions in 1 hour 25 minutes. Updated effective with the May 2027 exam. Calculators permitted.
Section II: Free Response
50%4 questions in 1 hour 35 minutes requiring calculus-based problem solving and analysis.
Exam delivery
Hybrid digitalMultiple choice is answered in Bluebook; free-response answers are handwritten.
One-to-one AP tutoring
AP Physics C: Mechanics Private Tutoring
Private AP lessons planned around you: the units you find hardest, your school's pace and the score you are aiming for. Every lesson is live and online, with a tutor who teaches this subject.
- A lesson plan built around your target score
- Every unit of the College Board course, in the order you need it
- Multiple-choice and free-response technique, checked against College Board scoring guidelines
- Lesson times that fit around your school week
How it works
- 1
Tell us your goal
We start from your school syllabus, your exam date and the result you are aiming for.
- 2
Your own plan
We map out the lessons you need, unit by unit.
- 3
Live one-to-one lessons
Meet your tutor online at times that suit your week.
- 4
Regular progress checks
Homework and a short check after each lesson show how you are getting on.
Start one-to-one AP Physics C: Mechanics
Right for you if you want a plan built entirely around you, flexible lesson times and a tutor's full attention.
Book one-to-one lessonsBefore choosing a package, you can book one paid lesson.
Our AP tutors began teaching in 2018 or earlier.
No group is open right now
Group course
A Private Group for This Subject
There is no open group timetable for this subject in 2026–27. If 3 or more of you sign up together, we open a private group course for you — at the same price as the open group course. Lessons are taught in English.
Course fee
€1,573the same as an open group course
At least 3 students · you set the weekly timetable together
Each student buys their own place online, and we let you know as soon as your group is ready.
or 3 instalments of €524Questions first? Get in touch- Classes of no more than 6 students
- Live online lessons you can watch again
- A lesson plan that follows the College Board course
- Not satisfied after the first week of your group course? Full (100%) refund. We do not offer free trial lessons. Payment is required before your first lesson.
100% First-Lesson Money-Back Guarantee
Not satisfied? Full refund, no questions asked.
We do not offer free trial lessons. Payment is required before your first lesson.
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Flexible Billing
Local cards welcome, instalments available.
Lessons cancelled less than 3 hours before the start count as taken. Full terms
Practice test · Question bank · TestPrep AI Tutor
Practise AP Physics C: Mechanics on your own
Three ways to practise between lessons. Each one is a separate product.
- Coming soon
AP Physics C: Mechanics Question Bank
The AP Physics C: Mechanics question bank is on its way. Until then, you can explore the other AP subjects in the question bank.
Explore the AP question bank AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Test
A full-length test in the real exam format, with a detailed score report. Two attempts per test, and 12 months to use them.
Go to the practice testTestPrep AI Tutor
Talks you through the questions you got wrong on a practice test, out loud. Your first 2 mistakes are free.
How TestPrep AI Tutor works
Syllabus
AP Physics C: Mechanics topics
Unit and topic names are the College Board's own. Percentages are each unit's share of the multiple-choice score, as the College Board publishes them.
1Unit 1: Kinematics
10–15%
- Kinematics in one dimension
- Kinematics in two dimensions
2Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics
20–25%
- Center of mass
- Systems
- Newton's laws of motion: first and second law
- Circular motion
- Newton's laws of motion: third law
- Gravitation
3Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power
15–25%
- Work–energy theorem
- Forces and potential energy
- Conservation of energy
- Power
4Unit 4: Linear Momentum
10–20%
- Impulse and momentum
- Conservation of linear momentum, collisions
5Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics
10–15%
- Torque and rotational statics
- Rotational kinematics
- Rotational dynamics and energy and Newton's second law in rotational form
6Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
10–15%
- Rotational kinetic energy
- Angular momentum
- Rolling
- Orbits
7Unit 7: Oscillations
10–15%
- Periodic motion
- Pendulums
- Physical Pendulums
Approach
How we teach AP Physics C: Mechanics
Study plan
- 1
Phase 1 — Kinematics and Newton's laws (Units 1–2)
Motion in 1D / 2D, forces, friction, drag
- Position-velocity-acceleration with calculus
- Free-body diagrams with non-inertial scenarios
- Air resistance ODE setup
- 2
Phase 2 — Work, energy and momentum (Units 3–4)
Work-energy theorem, conservation of energy and momentum
- ∫ F dx with non-constant force
- Elastic / inelastic collisions in 2D
- Centre of mass and Σmᵢrᵢ calculations
- 3
Phase 3 — Rotation (Units 5–6)
Rotational kinematics, dynamics, energy and angular momentum
- Moment of inertia and parallel-axis theorem
- Rolling without slipping problems
- Angular momentum conservation
- 4
Phase 4 — Oscillations (Unit 7) and orbits + mock
SHM, pendulums, Kepler's laws, gravitational potential
- SHM differential equation derivation
- Energy in SHM
- Orbital mechanics with energy and angular momentum
- Released FRQ set under timed conditions
How lessons work
Derivations written out, not skipped
The Physics C rubric awards setup points for writing down ∫F dx, dp/dt or ΣF = m d²x/dt². We build the habit of deriving rather than quoting, even on problems with a familiar formula.
Parallel kinematics ↔ rotation framing
Every translational concept is taught with its rotational analogue side by side, so students never reach for the wrong column under time pressure.
Differential-equation literacy
ODEs for drag, SHM and damped motion are recognised as a small fixed catalogue. Students learn to identify and solve them rather than to memorise solutions.
Advice
AP Physics C: Mechanics: common mistakes and study tips
MistakeTreating ∫F dx as 'multiply F by Δx' when F varies.
FixAlways check whether F is constant; if not, the integral form is required and the rubric awards setup points for writing it.
MistakeSign errors on free-body diagrams when the axis isn't horizontal.
FixDefine the positive axis explicitly on the diagram; resolve forces into components before applying ΣF = ma.
MistakeUsing v² = u² + 2as on rotation problems instead of ω² = ω₀² + 2αθ.
FixBuild a parallel kinematics-vs-rotation cheat sheet and pick the right column from the start.
MistakeConfusing dx/dt with dx in calculus notation under time pressure.
FixWrite the differentials out the first time on every problem; shorthand creeps in only after the structure is right.
MistakeForgetting that I (moment of inertia) depends on the axis.
FixAlways identify the rotation axis first; if it's not through the centre of mass, plan for the parallel-axis theorem before writing equations.
MistakeEnergy-conservation answers without specifying the system.
FixState the system and which energies are 'in' it; the rubric awards a point for defining the system explicitly.
Study tips
- Take Physics C alongside or after Calculus AB/BC — the exam assumes fluency with derivatives and integrals.
- Show calculus explicitly on every FRQ; setting up the integral is worth points even if the final number is wrong.
- Practise computing moments of inertia from scratch with definite integrals, not just looking up table values.
- Build on AP Physics 1 if you have taken it — Physics C assumes you already know the algebra-based mechanics.
Ready to raise your AP Physics C: Mechanics score?
You can start one-to-one AP Physics C: Mechanics lessons with a single lesson. Every package and price is on one page.
- Live one-to-one lessons online
- No package needed — book a single lesson
- Lesson times that fit your school week
You can also write to us through our contact page.
Other subjects
Related and other AP subjects
Often taken alongside this subject
- AP Physics C: Electricity & MagnetismStandard pairing — most universities expect both Physics C exams for engineering credit.
- AP Calculus BCBC integration and differential equations feed directly into Physics C derivations.
- AP Physics 1Conceptual algebra-based mechanics; useful as a foundation if calculus is being learned in parallel.
All AP subjects
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Statistics
- AP Precalculus
- AP Computer Science A
- AP Computer Science Principles
- AP Physics 1
- AP Physics 2
- AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
- AP Chemistry
- AP Biology
- AP Environmental Science
- AP English Language & Composition
- AP English Literature & Composition
- AP US History (APUSH)
- AP World History: Modern
- AP European History
- AP US Government & Politics
- AP Comparative Government & Politics
- AP Human Geography
- AP Microeconomics
- AP Macroeconomics
- AP Psychology
- AP Art History
- AP Music Theory
- AP Spanish Language & Culture
- AP French Language & Culture
- AP Chinese Language & Culture
- AP Business with Personal Finance
- AP Cybersecurity
- AP African American Studies
AP Physics C: Mechanics Prep — Frequently Asked Questions
The questions students ask most about AP Physics C: Mechanics preparation.