
Section II has 6 free-response questions and lasts 90 minutes. Of that time, 55 minutes are spent on 28 non-calculator questions, and 50 minutes are dedicated to 17 calculator active questions. Section I has 45 multiple-choice questions and lasts 105 minutes. The test is split into two sections, each of which has a calculator-active and a calculator- inactive portion. This is the list of topics they generated (BC topics are denoted with an asterisk): relative extrema (maximums and minimums), the relationships between derivatives of a function, the difference quotient, basic integration, integral functions with variables as limits of integration, volumes of solids with known cross-sections, motion (position, velocity, and acceleration functions), differential equations, area between curves, power series*, elementary series* (ex, cos x, sin x), Taylor polynomials*, radius of convergence*, and integration by parts*. This will vary, of course, but I asked my students to list the topics they saw the most. Of the topics on the course description, which actually appear the most on the AP test? However, if you take the BC test, you will get both an AB and BC score (the AB score excludes all BC questions from the test). The AB and BC curricula cover the same material with the same amount of rigor BC simply covers additional topics. Completing Calculus BC is equivalent to completing college Calculus I and Calculus II courses, whereas AB covers all of college Calculus I and about half of Calculus II.

The Calculus BC curriculum contains significantly more material than the AB curriculum. What’s the difference between Calculus AB and BC? As your academic year draws to a close, use it as a checklist to make sure you understand everything. The College Board Web site ( ) always has the current course description. The list of topics changes a little bit every couple of years. Spend some time understanding the enemy’s battle plans so that you are prepared once you go to war. For now, this test is your foe, the only thing standing in your way to glorious (and inexpensive) college credit. So, it’s essential to know that all-important AP test inside and out.įREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AP CALCULUS TESTSīelow are common questions that students pose about the AP Calculus tests. In an AP course, you must score high enough on the corresponding AP test, which is administered worldwide in the month of May. In a college course, you need only pass the class to receive credit. An AP course is a little different from a college course.

Some, however, require higher scores, so it’s important to know the policies of the schools to which you are applying or have been accepted. Most colleges will accept a score of 3 or above and assign credit to you for the corresponding course. All AP tests are graded on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible grade.

Your goal and vision in any Advanced Placement class should be to take the AP test, pass it with a sufficiently high score, jump up and down like a lunatic when you receive your score, and attain credit for the class in the college or university of your choice.
