AP Physics
C: E&M
The companion to Physics C: Mechanics. Uses Calculus and differential equations to describe electric fields, magnetic fields, and RC/RL/RLC circuits. Especially valuable for Electrical Engineering (EE), Physics, and Computer Engineering profiles. Requires students to have completed Calculus AB+.
Before you start, understand how the College Board scores.
AP Physics C: E&M has a short but dense structure: 40 MCQ + 4 FRQ in 1 hour 45 minutes (Sections I and II ~50 minutes each). FRQs require Calculus (derivatives, integrals) — unlike Physics 2. Understanding the structure helps your child allocate study time to the right focus areas.
Score 5/5 distribution in 2024
According to College Board data, 33.1% of students worldwide achieve a 5 on AP Physics C: E&M — the highest rate of any AP Physics subject. The reason: test-takers are a self-selected group (most have already completed Calculus BC + Physics C: Mechanics). Our students reach a score-5 rate 1.5–2 times higher by practicing all 5 units + 4 calculus-based FRQs.
MCQ — Multiple Choice
40 questions · 45 minutes
FRQ — Free Response
4 questions · 60 minutes
Total Exam
1 hour 45 minutes
5 units aligned with the College Board CED 2024.
Our learning track closely follows the College Board’s official Course and Exam Description (CED). AP Physics C: E&M is organized into 5 units: Electrostatics (including Coulomb’s Law + Gauss’s Law), Conductors/Capacitors/Dielectrics, Electric Circuits (RC), Magnetic Fields (Ampère’s Law), Electromagnetism (Faraday’s Law, RL/RLC, Maxwell). Click each unit for details.
Unit Details
Refer to the College Board’s official Course and Exam Description for the full list of topics.
This is one of the 5 units of AP Physics C: E&M. Our team guides students to continually connect physics concepts, integral/derivative formulas, and symmetry (spherical/cylindrical/planar) in order to pick the right Gaussian surface.
Unit Details
Refer to the College Board’s official Course and Exam Description for the full list of topics.
This is one of the 5 units of AP Physics C: E&M. Our team guides students to continually connect physics concepts, integral/derivative formulas, and symmetry (spherical/cylindrical/planar) in order to pick the right Gaussian surface.
Unit Details
Refer to the College Board’s official Course and Exam Description for the full list of topics.
This is one of the 5 units of AP Physics C: E&M. Our team guides students to continually connect physics concepts, integral/derivative formulas, and symmetry (spherical/cylindrical/planar) in order to pick the right Gaussian surface.
Unit Details
Refer to the College Board’s official Course and Exam Description for the full list of topics.
This is one of the 5 units of AP Physics C: E&M. Our team guides students to continually connect physics concepts, integral/derivative formulas, and symmetry (spherical/cylindrical/planar) in order to pick the right Gaussian surface.
Unit Details
Refer to the College Board’s official Course and Exam Description for the full list of topics.
This is one of the 5 units of AP Physics C: E&M. Our team guides students to continually connect physics concepts, integral/derivative formulas, and symmetry (spherical/cylindrical/planar) in order to pick the right Gaussian surface.
Full learning track: ~15 weeks (12–16 weeks depending on student level) · Materials: AP Classroom + Gia Su AP internal materials · Source: Official College Board CED
Target score distribution for our Physics C: E&M students — May 2026 season.
Track goal: 75%+ of students score a 5, and 95%+ score a 4-5. Compare with the global score distribution so you and your child can clearly see the target position.
Gia Su AP Target — Physics C: E&M (2026 Season)
Global Average
Seven competencies our team helps your child master.
The College Board scores AP Physics C: E&M across 7 "Science Practices" (Modeling Phenomena, Mathematical Routines — with a strong emphasis on Calculus, Scientific Questioning, Experimental Methods, Data Analysis, Argumentation, Theoretical Relationships). Our track ensures students master all 7, with particular strength in applying Calculus.
Creating Physical Representations
One of 6 core competencies assessed by the College Board throughout the course.
Scientific Reasoning
One of 6 core competencies assessed by the College Board throughout the course.
Experimental Analysis
One of 6 core competencies assessed by the College Board throughout the course.
Data Analysis
One of 6 core competencies assessed by the College Board throughout the course.
Using Calculus & Differential Equations
One of 6 core competencies assessed by the College Board throughout the course.
Solving Multi-step Quantitative Problems
One of 6 core competencies assessed by the College Board throughout the course.
Sample question — Gauss’s Law.
This is a typical FRQ of AP Physics C: E&M — Unit 1 (Electrostatics). Students must apply Gauss’s Law with a surface integral to calculate the electric field of a spherically symmetric system.
Context: A solid sphere of radius R has a non-uniform volume charge density ρ(r) = ρ₀·(r/R), where r is the distance from the center of the sphere (0 ≤ r ≤ R) and ρ₀ is a constant.
Answer all 4 parts below:
- Calculate the total charge Q contained in the sphere by integrating ρ(r) over the volume of the sphere (4 points).
- Apply Gauss’s Law to calculate the electric field E(r) at distance r from the center of the sphere, for r < R (inside the sphere) (5 points).
- Calculate E(r) in the region r R (outside the sphere) (3 points).
- Sketch a graph of E(r) versus r from r = 0 to r = 3R. Label the axes, mark the point r = R and the value E(R) (3 points).
Part (a) — 4 points: dV = 4πr²·dr (thin spherical shell). Q = ∫₀^R ρ(r)·dV = ∫₀^R (ρ₀·r/R)·4πr²·dr = (4πρ₀/R)·∫₀^R r³·dr = (4πρ₀/R)·(R⁴/4) = Q = πρ₀R³.
Part (b) — 5 points: Choose the Gaussian surface as a sphere of radius r < R. Enclosed charge q_enc = ∫₀^r (ρ₀·r'/R)·4πr'²·dr' = (4πρ₀/R)·(r⁴/4) = πρ₀r⁴/R. Applying Gauss: E·(4πr²) = q_enc/ε₀ → E(r) = ρ₀r²/(4ε₀R).
Part (c) — 3 points: Outside (r R), q_enc = Q = πρ₀R³. E·(4πr²) = Q/ε₀ → E(r) = ρ₀R³/(4ε₀r²). This is the same field as a point charge Q at the center — consistent with the Shell theorem.
Part (d) — 3 points: Graph: from 0 → R, E grows as r² (parabolic); at r = R, E_max = ρ₀R/(4ε₀); from R → ∞, E decreases as 1/r² (hyperbolic). At r = R, the two curves connect continuously.
→ Our tip: with calculus-based Gauss’s Law, always check the symmetry before choosing the Gaussian surface. Spherical symmetry → Gaussian sphere; cylindrical symmetry → Gaussian cylinder; planar symmetry → Gaussian pillbox. Get this step wrong and the whole problem is wrong.
12 Physics C: E&M tutors — carefully selected by our team.
Each of our tutors must pass an internal exam equivalent to the May exam — scoring a minimum of 90% correct. All have strong backgrounds in Physics / EE / Engineering Physics and extensive experience teaching Gauss’s Law, Ampère’s Law, and Maxwell’s equations with calculus to Vietnamese students.
Tutors Currently Being Selected
Our team is currently in the process of selecting and verifying AP Physics C: E&M tutor profiles — since this is an advanced subject, most tutors are graduates in Physics / EE / Engineering Physics from top universities, with experience teaching 1-on-1 to Vietnamese students targeting Engineering. To be matched with a tutor suited to your child’s goals, you can book a free consultation.
Register to Be Introduced to a TutorPublic tutor profiles expected: Q3 2026
Four pricing plans, based on your child’s goals.
The four packages above are a reference framework to help you and your child choose easily. Our team will recommend the most suitable plan based on current level, target score, and time remaining before the May exam.
* Pricing does not include VAT.
* Listed prices are for reference and may be adjusted based on target score.
* Pricing applies to 1-on-1 online classes; in-person sessions at our office cost more.
Our Physics C: E&M students are now at top schools worldwide.
Below are our most recent students who have completed the AP Physics C: E&M track with our team. Most are now studying at MIT, Caltech, Stanford, CMU, Berkeley, or Princeton — mostly in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or Engineering Physics.
Student success stories will be published after the May 2026 AP exam, with official written consent from students and parents.
Common questions from parents and students.
A roundup of the questions you and your child ask most often. If you need personalized advice, you can book a free consultation with one of our advisors.
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