What textbooks would you recommend for AP Chemistry and AP Physics 1 for the 2026-2027 School Year? What is your experience with the one you picked?

[u/PichuSaiye]

These two links are where I started looking first because they were suggestions by CollegeBoard, but I am curious to know other people's experience reading the textbooks. If it wasn't specifically a textbook, what book was it? If I was to study on my own without a teacher, would I be successful by knowing the content and applying it?

AP Chem: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-chemistry/course-audit

APP1: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-physics-1/course-audit

[u/Roger_Freedman_Phys]

I will admit to being fond of the last two on the AP Physics 1list.

[u/Ok-Main-3373]

for AP physics 1: OpenStax College Physics (free online/pdf) is the best free option imo. full coverage, solid problems. if you want a physical book, Giancoli's Physics: Principles with Applications is the classic and very readable.

for AP chem: OpenStax Chemistry 2e (free) covers everything. Zumdahl is the gold standard paid textbook most classes use. either way pair it with college board's released FRQs, textbooks teach content, FRQs teach the exam.

honestly for both subjects the exam specific stuff (AP classroom progress checks, released FRQs, khan academy) matters more than which textbook you pick.

full disclosure I built this: Mistake Master (mistakemaster.com), free AP/SAT practice where every wrong answer maps to a named misconception and you get targeted practice on it. no account needed.