AP Physics C is hard, but it doesn’t have to be. In this article, we detail the best AP Physics C: Mechanics review books to help you prepare for this year’s exam. Time to get that 4 or 5!
The most recent Advanced Placement or AP Physics C: Mechanics exam results showed a decline in the number of students that got high scores of 4 or 5. Of course, that was to be expected because 2017 had the highest scores in the history of the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam. Nevertheless, the 2018 results were still really good as 28.6% got a score of 5.
The pressure is on you to get a 5 considering that more than a quarter of those that took the exam were able to ace it. But do not let the pressure get to you. You only have to diligently study what you have learned in the past and use the following review books to bolster your chances of getting the highest score you can possibly get. Here are the best AP Physics C review books available.
If you want to just get back to studying, get our top choice for AP Physics C prep book here.
Last update: 2024-04-30
Our Favorite (the best AP Physics C review books)
The AP Physics C Companion: Mechanics by Dan Fullerton
If you look at the competitive playing field in the market, you can hardly find any review books dedicated solely to the topics of the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam. But this book is different. It contains only the topics covered by the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam and explains the concepts in a way that is easy to understand for any introductory student.
Written by a Physics teacher who understands how high school students think, the book is quite easy to comprehend and can explain even the most complicated terms and concepts in a way that can be understood by any type of student. It does that without having to compromise the quality of review the student will receive from this book.
The book also contains over 350 problems and questions that are aimed at helping the student improve his/her practical knowledge and skills at answering AP Physics C: Mechanics test questions. The problems are all worked-out to help you understand how to get to the proper answer in case you messed up.
At its price, The AP Physics C Companion gives you the bang for your buck as not all of the books can be this affordable. If you want a more colorful book, the full-color edition costs a little extra. The affordability only adds to how helpful and loved this book is by students and teachers alike. No wonder it has a five-star rating on Amazon.
What makes it unique:
- It covers only the topics for the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam.
- The book knows how to explain the concepts of AP Physics C: Mechanics really well and can make even the most complicated details seem simple.
Why choose this book:
- It is easy to understand and has the right mix of content and practice questions.
- There aren’t a lot of books that are dedicated solely to the topics covered by the AP Physics C: Mechanics. In that regard, this book stands out.
- Fullerton, Dan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 250 Pages - 02/15/2017 (Publication Date) - Silly Beagle Productions (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-04-30
The Runners-Up for Best AP Physics C Review Books (still good but a little lacking)
AP Physics C Premium, 2023 by Robert Pelcovits, Joshua Farkas
Barron’s has always been an excellent line of AP review materials. While this book might be a runner-up on our list, it does not mean that it is anything but high-quality. It offers you a complete and holistic review experience that rivals the best books you can find on the market. The only problem about the book is that it isn’t completely dedicated to the topics of the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam is a little outdated compared to the other books.
Nevertheless, the book does its job really well despite its weaknesses. It tackles your review in a lot of different ways such as giving you a detailed content review, giving you study tips and advice, gauging your initial knowledge with a diagnostic test, and by providing you with two full-length practice exams.
At its price, Barron’s AP Physics C is really affordable. And when you factor in the fact that it also covers the topics for the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam, it becomes an even better deal. So if you are in a market for an excellent book that is easy on your wallet, this should be one of your top choices.
What makes it unique:
- It tackles your review in a holistic manner.
- The book also includes the topics covered by the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam.
Why choose this book:
- Go for this book if you are a fan of the Barron’s format of AP review books.
- It is cheap considering that you are getting two books for the price of one.
- Pelcovits Ph.D., Robert A. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 624 Pages - 08/02/2022 (Publication Date) - Barrons Educational Services (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-04-30
5 Steps to a 5: 500 AP Physics C Questions to Know by Test Day, Second Edition by Test Day by Hugh Henderson
Meant to be a companion book, this is not your usual 5 Steps to a 5: 500 AP Physics C Questions to Know by Test Day, Second Edition. Instead, it is completely dedicated to providing you with questions and problems that are designed to help improve the way you answer tests and to make you familiarize yourself with the type of questions you will surely encounter on the day of the exam.
In that sense, this material functions as a workbook that enhances your way of understanding AP Physics C: Mechanics questions while also serving as a review book in a different sort of way because of how the answer explanations are so thorough and easy-to-comprehend.
The book is similarly priced to others we’ve mentioned and is really affordable because it also contains the topics covered by the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam. Like most other AP Physics C review books, you are basically buying a 2-in-1 kind of material if you purchase this study aid.
What makes it unique:
- It only contains questions that are dedicated to improving your test-answering skills.
- The book also covers the topics for the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam.
Why choose this book:
- It helps you improve the way you answer test questions.
- Henderson, Hugh (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 02/23/2023 (Publication Date) - McGraw Hill (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-04-30
The Best Value for Your Money (good and affordable)
AP Physics C Prep, 2023 by The Princeton Review
Cracking books by The Princeton Review are considered top-quality and excellent materials for the AP exams. In this case, this material covers all of the topics for the two AP Physics C exams while also providing you with a complete and holistic review experience that ranks at the top. It would have been our favorite choice had it been a book that is solely dedicated to the topics of the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam.
Nevertheless, it still should be highly considered because of how it helps you from all different angles. It provides you with a comprehensive review experience, gives you tips and strategies, and challenges you with difficult sample questions and practice tests. In short, it can do anything any other good book can.
AP Physics C Prep is reasonably priced and is the best AP Physics C bargains you can find on the market not only because of how it covers two exam topics in one book but also because it is more up-to-date compared to all of the other materials on the market.
What makes it unique:
- The review experience you can get from this book is as holistic as it gets.
- It offers you a complete review of all of the topics covered by the two AP Physics C exams.
Why choose this book:
- It is quality and affordability packaged into one single product.
- The Princeton Review (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 672 Pages - 08/16/2022 (Publication Date) - Princeton Review (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-04-30
Summary of the Best AP Physics C: Mechanics Review Books
Putting everything together, in this guide we reviewed the following:
Last update: 2024-04-30
One of the shortest AP exams there is, this test still packs you with pressure not only because you only get an hour and a half but also because you are expected to continue the high-scoring trend. It seems as if you should only get a 4 or a 5 in this exam or else everything was for naught. However, if you have used the right tools and study aids and have diligently prepared yourself for the exam, there is no reason for you to feel the heavy pressure on your shoulders.
Did you find this guide on the best AP Physics C: Mechanics review books helpful? If so, share it with a friend!
Looking for more reviews of AP study guides?
Check out our archives for other AP Sciences, AP Math & Computer Science, AP History & Social Sciences, or our general Advanced Placement section.
