AP Calculus AB Exam

Are yous familiar with the Mean Value Theorem? Tin yous calculate derivatives? The AP® Calculus AB exam tests topics and skills discussed in your AP Calculus AB form. If you score high enough on the examination, your AP Calculus score could earn you college credit!

Check out our AP Calculus AB Guide for the essential information yous need for the exam:

  • Test Overview
  • AP Calculus AB vs AP Calculus BC
  • Sections and Question Types
  • Scoring
  • How to Prepare

What's on the AP Calculus AB Exam?

The College Lath is very detailed in what they require your AP teacher to comprehend in his or her AP Calculus AB course. You should exist familiar with the following topics:

  • Limits and Continuity—Defining limits, estimating limits from graphs and tables, determining limits using algebraic properties and manipulation, applying the Clasp Theorem, Determining types of discontinuities, understanding asympototes, and the applying Intermediate Value Theorem

  • Differentiation: Definition and Basic Rules—Defining average and instantaneous rates of change, defining the derivative of a function, estimating derivatives at a bespeak, connecting differentiability and continuity, applying the Power Rule, the Product Rule, and the Caliber Rule, and determining derivatives of constants, sums, differences, and constant multiples, trigonometric functions, eastx , and ln x

  • Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions—Applying the Chain Rule, using implicit differentiation, differentiating inverse functions, and computing college order derivatives

  • Contextual Applications of Differentiation—Interpreting derivatives in context, using rates of change in motion and other context, applying related rates, approximating using linearization, and applying L'Infirmary's Rule

  • Analytical Applications of Differentiation—Understanding the Mean Value Theorem, using the Extreme Value Theorem, finding global and local extrema, applying the First Derivative Test and Second Derivative Examination, finding intervals of increase and subtract, agreement concavity, sketching graphs, solving optimization problems, and using implicit relations

  • Integration and Accumulation of Change—Finding accumulations of change, Reimann sums, and definite integrals, understanding the Primal Theorem of Calculus, interpreting accumulation functions, finding anti-derivatives and indefinite integrals, and integrating using substitutions, long division, and completing the square

  • Differential Equations—Modeling situations with differential equations, verifying solutions for differential equations, sketching slope fields, and using separation of variables

  • Applications of Integration—Finding the boilerplate value of a function, connecting position, velocity, and dispatch using integrals, applying aggregating functions, finding area between curves of functions, and finding volumes from cross-sections and revolutions

AP Calculus AB vs. BC

AP Calculus is divided into ii classes: AB and BC. The College Lath says Calculus AB is the equivalent of a semester of college calculus and BC is the equivalent of a yr of college calculus.  In truth, AB calculus covers closer to three quarters of a twelvemonth of higher calculus. The primary difference between the two is that BC Calculus tests some more theoretical aspects of calculus, and information technology covers a few additional topics. Check out our line of AP guides for a comprehensive content review.

AP Calculus AB Sections and Question Types

The AP Calculus AB exam is iii hours long and has two sections: a multiple-pick department and and gratis-response section. Each exam section has a Role A and a Part B.

Section

Timing

Number of Questions

% of Exam Score

Section 1

Office A: 60 minutes

Office B: 45 minutes

Role A:


  • 30 multiple choice questions
  • Estimator non permitted

Part B:


  • 15 multiple option questions
  • Calculator permitted

50%

Section ii

Function A: xxx minutes

Part B: lx minutes

Function A:


  • two free response questions
  • Calculator permitted

Function B:


  • four complimentary response questions
  • Calculator not permitted

50%

Multiple-Option

The multiple-choice questions on the AP Calculus AB exam comprehend a diversity of calculus topic and are discrete, as opposed to appearing in question sets, and volition have a similar format that is followed past five answer choices. At times, it may seem that there could be more than than ane possible correct answer. Answers resulting from common mistakes are ofttimes included in the five answer choices to trap you.

Free Response Questions

The FRQ section of the AP Calculus AB exam consists of vi questions that crave you to write out the solutions and steps by which you solved it. Partial credit is given for various steps in the solution of each problem. Yous'll unremarkably be required to sketch a graph in ane of the questions.

AP Calculus AB Scores

AP scores are reported from 1 to 5. Colleges are generally looking for a 4 or five on the AP Calculus AB exam, but some may grant credit for a three. Learn more most college AP credit policies. Each test is curved and then scores vary from year to year. Here'south how AP Calculus AB students scored on the May 2020 exam:

Score

Meaning

Pct of Exam Takers

v

Extremely qualified

nineteen.5%

4

Well qualified

twenty.9%

3

Qualified

21%

2

Possibly qualified

24.1%

ane

No recommendation

14.5%

Source: College Board

How can I prepare?

AP classes are great, but for many students they're non plenty! For a thorough review of AP Calculus AB content and strategy, pick the AP prep option that works all-time for your goals and learning style.

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