Students planning ahead for AP success need to know not only what's tested on the exams but also how the tests are structured.
Here's an overview of the AP Calculus exams.
What's on the AP Calculus test?
The AP Calculus AB & BC exams are designed to measure your mastery of differential and integral calculus.
The courses involve 10 major units of study:
- Limits and Continuity
- Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties
- Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions
- Contextual Applications of Differentiation
- Analytical Applications of Differentiation
- Integration and Accumulation of Change
- Differential Equations
- Applications of Integration
- Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Vector-Valued Functions (BC only)
- Infinite Sequences and Series (BC only)
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How is the AP Calculus test structured?
The AP Calculus exams are four-part tests consisting of a multiple-choice section followed by a free-response section. The multiple-choice section and free-response section are each split into two parts, and a graphing calculator is permitted on one of the two parts of each section.
Because the AP Calculus exams are timed tests, you will have to carefully pace yourself. This includes making determinations about whether you should skip and guess on any questions. In order to achieve the best possible score, you need to answer as many questions correctly as possible.
As you prepare for test day, you may come up with a personalized pacing plan, but as a starting point, here are rough guidelines based on the timing of each section:
- Multiple choice:
- Part 1A (calculator NOT permitted):
- 60 minutes to answer 30 questions
- 2 minutes per question
- Part 1B (calculator permitted):
- 45 minutes to answer 15 questions
- 3 minutes per question
- Part 1A (calculator NOT permitted):
- Free response:
- Part 2A (calculator permitted):
- 30 minutes to answer 2 questions
- 15 minutes per question
- Part 2B (calculator NOT permitted):
- 60 minutes to answer 4 questions
- 15 minutes per question
- Part 2A (calculator permitted):
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