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Test Preparation > AP > Calculus
 
See also SAT Subject Mathematics
 Test Date:  Calculus AB - 8AM, Wednesday, 05/05/10
 Test Date:  Calculus BC -
8AM, Wednesday, 05/05/10

The AP Calculus Test consists of two separate exams:  Calculus AB and Calculus BC.  Essentially, AB is the equivalent of Calculus 1 and BC is the equivalent Calculus 2, on the college level .  A student with advanced calculus knowledge should only take Calculus BC.  The tests are administered simultaneously, preventing students from taking both. 


Calculus AB covers differential and integral calculus and therefore requires considerable background in the underlying  math topics of algebra, geometry, coordinate geometry, trigonometry and advanced topics thereof.  Most students targeting the AB test will have begun their sequence of study with Algebra 1 in the 8th grade and have likely completed an extra math course between grades 9-11.  While about 40% of test takers achieve a score of 4 or greater on the AB exam (second to Calculus BC among the high volume exams), the overall averages are skewed lower owing to the high number of students achieving the lowest score of 1 (25%).  However, it is clear that the underlying high school curriculum does a pretty good job of preparing students for the AB test. 2

The duration of the AP Calculus AB exam is three hours and 15 minutes.  Section 1 consists of a two parts: Part A and Part B.  Part A includes 28 multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 55 minutes.  No calculator is permitted.  Part B consists of 17 questions with a time limit of 50 minutes.  A calculator is required.   Section 2 is the "free-response" section.  Here is where the student's understanding of overall concepts and use of mathematical techniques is measured in depth.  Parts A and B of Section 2 consist of three problems each.  A calculator is required in Part A, but not Part B.   The time limit for each part is 45 minutes.  Section 1 and 2 are of equal value from a scoring standpoint. 1

We have tutors who can help with all levels of Calculus and our rates are competitive.   CALL 1-877-888-6717, or CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE A CLIENT PROFILE

AP Calculus AB 2
Exam
Grade
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
N % N % N % N % N %
5 52,921 23.0 49,173 22.1 44,409 22.3 43,925 22.3 38,539 20.7
4 43,140 18.7 47,216 21.2 39,682 20.5 40,353 20.5 36,347 19.5
3 41,204 17.9 39,814 179.9 40,448 18.6 36,627 18.6 33,006 17.7
2 35,843 15.5 33,857 15.2 32,704 15.5 30,486 15.5 31,141 16.7
1 57,480 24.9 52,775 23.7 54,450 25.7 45,790 23.2 46,959 25.2
TOT 230,588   222,835   211,693   197,181   185,992  
3 + 137,265 59.5 136,203 61.1 124,539 59.8 120,905 61.3 107,892 58.0
4 + 96,061 41.7 83428 37.4 84,091 39.7 84,278 42.7 74,886 40.3
Ave. 2.99   3.03   2.94   3.03   2.94  
  TOT - Total Test Takers,    3+ - All scores 3 and above,    4+ - All scores 4 and above

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Calculus BC is for students on an advanced track, who likely have demonstrated superior math skills early on.  Students succeed with Calculus BC for two reasons:  They are highly competent at the math, and they understand the broad concepts and how the various mathematical components fit together in practical application and modeling.  The use of a graphing calculator is also considered critical.  Students must use this technology throughout their preparation. 

The score results for Calculus BC are issued in two parts:  an overall score and an AB sub-score.  The AB sub-score is the portion of the test covering Calculus AB content.  When compared to other popular (50,000 or more test takers) AP exams, Calculus BC scoring ranks near the top, with an average score consistently above 3.7 with 80% of test takes achieving a 3.0 or greater. Sixty percent or more of test takers score a 4 or 5.  Students have a very good understanding of the requirements of this exam and prepared when they sit for it.  2

The duration of the AP Calculus BC exam is three hours and 15 minutes.  Section 1 consists of a two parts.  Part A includes 28 multiple choice questions with a time limit of 55 minutes.  No calculator is permitted.  Part B consists of 17 questions with a time limit of 50 minutes.  A calculator is required.   Section 2 is the "free response" section.  Here is where the student's understanding of overall concepts and use of mathematical techniques is measured in depth.  Parts A and B of Section two consist of 3 problems each.  A calculator is required in part A, but not part B.   The time limit for each part is  45 minutes.  Section 1 and 2 are of equal value from a scoring perspective. 1

We have tutors who can help with all levels of Calculus and our rates are competitive.   CALL 1-877-888-6717, or CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE A CLIENT PROFILE

AP Calculus BC 2
Exam
Grade
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
N % N % N % N % N %
5 31,554 43.2 30,045 43.5 27,949 43.5 24.561 41.9 23,877 43.9
4 12,807 17.6 12,008 17.4 11,489 17.9 11.524 19.7 9,237 16.9
3 14,041 19.2 13,408 19.4 12,095 18.8 11.537 19.7 10,929 20.1
2 5,408 7.4 4,664 6.7 4,090 6.4 3.756 6.4 3,695 6.8
1 9,155 12.5 8,978 13.0 8,688 13.5 7.225 12.3 6,677 12.3
TOT 72,965   69103   64,311   58603   54.415  
3 + 58402 80.0 55,461 80.3 51,533 80.1 47.622 81.3 44.043 80.9
4 + 44,361 60.1 42053 60.1 39,438 61.3 36,085 61.6 32.144 60.8
Ave. 3.72   3.72   3.71   3.72   3.73  
  TOT - Total Test Takers,    3+ - All scores 3 and above,    4+ - All scores 4 and above

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  1. Wikipedia
  2. Collegeboard.com

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