Struggling with AP Physics 1 FRQs - any advice?

I've started AP Physics 1 this year and I'm already feeling the pressure. Those Free Response Questions are quite tricky. Does anyone have tips for understanding and tackling these FRQs? Any advice or resources would be really appreciated!

The AP Physics 1 Free Response Questions can indeed be challenging, but with the right approach, you can tackle them effectively.

1. Understand the Question: The first step is to read the question slowly and understand what's being asked, the important concepts involved, and the principles that apply.

2. Draw the Situation: If the question describes a physical situation, it often helps to make a sketch. Label it with all the given values and show the directions of forces, velocities, etc. This can help you visualize what’s going on.

3. Formulate an Approach: Outline a plan in your mind or on your paper. This might include identifying formulas, principles, or laws applicable to the problem. Write these down. Even if you don't know the final answer, you'll get partial credit for correctly identifying correct equations or principles.

4. Solve the Problem: Use your plan to solve the problem. Work step by step and make sure your units are consistent. If math is involved, include clear calculations showing your work.

5. Review Your Answer: Once you've arrived at an answer, take a moment to consider whether it makes sense in the context of the problem.

For practice, the College Board's website has old FRQs with scoring guides – you can really learn a lot by going through these and seeing not just what a good answer looks like, but why it's good.

Finally, the Interactive Example Textbooks on AP Classroom can be helpful too. These resources come with explanations to help you understand the concept being tested.

Remember to be patient with yourself - these problems are designed to be challenging, and the more you practice solving them, the more comfortable you'll become.