Advanced course · 2026–27 framework
Marlbridge guide to AP® Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
The official unit roadmap for AP® Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism with exam weightings, the May 2027 exam format, and every Marlbridge study guide, practice set and checklist written for it so far.
May 2027 exam at a glance
Exam date: Wed, 5 May 2027. Hybrid digital: multiple-choice answered in the Bluebook app; free-response viewed in Bluebook and handwritten in a paper booklet.
| Section | Questions | Time | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I: Multiple choice | 42 | 85 minutes | 50% |
Section II: Free response
| 4 | 95 minutes | 50% |
Calculator: A four-function, scientific or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections.
What changed: Multiple choice changed from 40 questions in 80 minutes to 42 questions in 85 minutes; free response changed from 100 to 95 minutes (effective May 2027).
Framework clarifications: Fall 2026: some exam conventions in the equations table updated; exam timing change.
Before you start: Calculus taken before or alongside, and a prior mechanics course (Physics C: Mechanics, Physics 1 or similar).
Laboratory work: The CED requires 25% of instructional time on hands-on laboratory work. These pages support that work; they do not replace it.
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Unit roadmap
Units and topics exactly as numbered in the 2026–27 Course and Exam Description (Units 8–13 (numbering continues from Physics C: Mechanics)). Weightings are the official multiple-choice ranges. Marlbridge has written resources for 31 of 31 topics so far; the rest are planned and marked as such.
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Unit 8: Electric Charges, Fields, and Gauss’s Law 15–25% of multiple choice · 6 topics
- 8.1 Electric Charge and Electric Force Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 8.2 Conservation of Electric Charge and the Process of Charging Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 8.3 Electric Fields Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 8.4 Electric Fields of Charge Distributions Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 8.5 Electric Flux Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 8.6 Gauss’s Law Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Electric Charges, Fields and Gauss's Law: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: E&M Unit 8)
- Electric Charges, Fields and Gauss's Law: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: E&M Unit 8)
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Unit 9: Electric Potential 10–20% of multiple choice · 3 topics
- 9.1 Electric Potential Energy Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 9.2 Electric Potential Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 9.3 Conservation of Electric Energy Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Electric Potential: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: E&M Unit 9)
- Electric Potential: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: E&M Unit 9)
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Unit 10: Conductors and Capacitors 10–15% of multiple choice · 4 topics
- 10.1 Electrostatics with Conductors Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 10.2 Redistribution of Charge Between Conductors Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 10.3 Capacitors Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 10.4 Dielectrics Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Conductors and Capacitors: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: E&M Unit 10)
- Conductors and Capacitors: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: E&M Unit 10)
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Unit 11: Electric Circuits 15–25% of multiple choice · 8 topics
- 11.1 Electric Current Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.2 Simple Circuits Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.3 Resistance, Resistivity, and Ohm’s Law Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.4 Electric Power Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.5 Compound Direct Current Circuits Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.6 Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.7 Kirchhoff’s Junction Rule Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.8 Resistor-Capacitor (RC) Circuits Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Electric Circuits: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: E&M Unit 11)
- Electric Circuits: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: E&M Unit 11)
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Unit 12: Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism 10–20% of multiple choice · 4 topics
- 12.1 Magnetic Fields Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 12.2 Magnetism and Moving Charges Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 12.3 Magnetic Fields of Current-Carrying Wires and the Biot-Savart Law Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 12.4 Ampère’s Law Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: E&M Unit 12)
- Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: E&M Unit 12)
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Unit 13: Electromagnetic Induction 10–20% of multiple choice · 6 topics
- 13.1 Magnetic Flux Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 13.2 Electromagnetic Induction Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 13.3 Induced Currents and Magnetic Forces Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 13.4 Inductance Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 13.5 Circuits with Resistors and Inductors (LR Circuits) Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 13.6 Circuits with Capacitors and Inductors (LC Circuits) Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Electromagnetic Induction: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: E&M Unit 13)
- Electromagnetic Induction: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: E&M Unit 13)
Exam skills
Guides that apply across every unit: what each task verb asks you to do, and how to set out answers so every step of your reasoning is visible.
- Representations, Derivations and Experimental Design: Exam Skills Guide (Physics C: E&M)
How to draw field, equipotential and circuit diagrams, choose Gaussian surfaces and Amperian loops, set out calculus derivations, check results and linearise lab data.
- Task Verbs and Free-Response Technique: Exam Skills Guide (Physics C: E&M)
What each free-response task verb asks for in calculus-based electricity and magnetism, how much to write, how to plan the section and set out working, with original examples, rubrics and practice.
Science practices
- 1. Creating Representations
- Create diagrams, tables, charts, schematics, quantitative graphs and qualitative sketches that represent physical situations.
- 2. Mathematical Routines
- Derive symbolic expressions, calculate or estimate quantities with units, compare quantities between scenarios and predict factors of change.
- 3. Scientific Questioning and Argumentation
- Create experimental procedures, apply a law or model to make a claim, and justify claims with evidence.
Questions
What is on the AP® Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam in May 2027?
Multiple choice: 42 questions in 85 minutes (50% of the score). Free response: 4 questions in 95 minutes (50%). The exam is on Wed, 5 May 2027.
How many units does AP® Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism have?
6 units, numbered Units 8–13 (numbering continues from Physics C: Mechanics), split into 31 topics in the 2026–27 framework.
What changed for 2026–27 and May 2027?
Multiple choice changed from 40 questions in 80 minutes to 42 questions in 85 minutes; free response changed from 100 to 95 minutes (effective May 2027).
What should I know before starting?
Calculus taken before or alongside, and a prior mechanics course (Physics C: Mechanics, Physics 1 or similar).
Which calculator can I use?
A four-function, scientific or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections.
Official sources
Everything on this page about the course structure and exam was checked against these College Board documents on 05/10/2026. Always check them for later changes.
AP® and Advanced Placement® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this website. Marlbridge is an independent tuition provider. It is not an authorized AP course provider, an AP school or an exam centre, and these resources are not official College Board materials. Reading them or doing simulations does not meet the laboratory requirement of an AP science course.