what is on the ap calculus bc exam

AP Calculus BC includes all of the topics covered in AP Calculus AB, as well as the following:

• Convergence tests for series
• Taylor series
• Parametric equations
• Polar functions (including arc length in polar coordinates and calculating area)
• Arc length calculations using integration
• Integration by parts
• Improper integrals
• Differential equations for logistic growth
• Using partial fractions to integrate rational functions

Full Answer

How do I practice for AP Calculus BC?

Answering free-response questions from previous AP Exams is a great way to practice: it allows you to compare your own responses with those that have already been evaluated and scored. Free-response questions and scoring guidelines are available on the Exam Preparation section of the About the Exam page for AP Calculus BC.

How long does the AP Calc BC exam last?

It lasts three hours and 15 minutes, but how is that time divided up? During the three hour and 15 minute testing period, exam takers will complete the two sections of the AP Calc BC exam: Section 1, which is the multiple choice section, and Section 2, which is the free response section. Let's take a closer look at each BC Calculus section below.

What is the difference between AP Calculus BC digital practice and demo?

AP Calculus BC students will have two options to answer example questions in the digital testing application. Both provide approximately the same time limit per question as the full exam. The App Demo is an even shorter subset of the questions in Digital Practice–5 multiple-choice questions, a 2-minute break, and 1 free-response question.

How many students take AP Calculus each year?

In 2019, approximately 440,000 of the 2.8 million students taking AP exams took an AP Calculus exam.

What does the AP Calc BC exam consist of?

Part A: 30 questions; 60 minutes (calculator not permitted). Part B: 15 questions; 45 minutes (graphing calculator required). Questions include algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, and general types of functions. Questions include analytical, graphical, tabular, and verbal types of representations.

What topics are on the AP Calculus BC exam 2020?

What will be tested on the 2020 AP Calculus BC exam?Unit 1: Limits and Continuity.Unit 2: Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties.Unit 3: Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions.Unit 4: Contextual Applications of Differentiation.Unit 5: Analytical Applications of Differentiation.More items...•

What units are on the AP Calc BC exam?

Accumulation functions, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and definite integrals. Antiderivatives and indefinite integrals. Properties of integrals and integration techniques, extended. Determining improper integrals.

How hard is the AP Calc BC exam?

AP Calculus BC is meant to cover two semesters of college-level math. AP Calculus BC has an exam pass rate above the average for AP classes. How difficult a student will find AP Calculus BC depends on a wide variety of factors. Students should consider the program at their school before taking AP Calculus BC.

Which AP test is the longest?

How Long Are AP Exams?ExamDurationAP English Language and Composition3 hours, 15 minutesAP English Literature and Composition3 hoursAP Environmental Science2 hours, 40 minutesAP European History3 hours, 15 minutes29 more rows•Jan 26, 2020

What is the hardest unit in Calc BC?

Unit 10Multiple-Choice Section AP Calculus BC students generally performed well across units but found Unit 10 (Infinite Sequences and Series) the most challenging, followed by Unit 9 and Unit 6.

What is the hardest AP class in high school?

The Three Hardest AP ClassesAP Physics 1. Despite a reputation as one of the most difficult AP classes, Physics 1 is also one of the most popular—137,229 students took it in 2021. ... AP U.S. History. AP U.S. history is one of the hardest AP classes in the humanities and in general. ... AP Chemistry.

How do you get an A in calculus BC?

2:165:56AP CALCULUS BC: HOW TO GET A 5 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhere you're going to have to memorize a lot of stuff. Whether it be rules for differentiation. OrMoreWhere you're going to have to memorize a lot of stuff. Whether it be rules for differentiation. Or integration or memorizing Taylor and Maclaurin today.

Is a 4 on Calc BC good?

What is a good AP® Calculus BC score? Receiving a 3, 4, or 5 is generally accepted as scoring well on an AP® exam. According to the College Board a 3 is 'qualified,' a 4 'well qualified,' and a 5 'extremely well qualified.

What percent is a 5 on AP Calc BC?

38.3%AP Score DistributionsExam51AP Calculus AB17.6%23.7%AP Calculus BC38.3%6.6%AP Computer Science A23.9%22.8%AP Computer Science Principles12.4%13.6%1 more row

What is the easiest AP exam?

However, we can still look at the overall pass rates for all the students that take the AP® exams, see which ones do well across the board, and make choices to suit our interests....*Based on the pass rate of the respective AP® exam.Exam NameCalculus BCPassing Rate (3+)81.50%5 Rate48.40%4 Rate15.50%36 more columns•Mar 1, 2022

Is it hard to get a 5 on Calc BC?

Is it Easy to Get a 5 on AP Calc BC? At first glance, it may appear that it is easier to get a 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam than on the AP Calculus AB exam. In 2021, for example, about 38% of Calculus BC test-takers received a 5 on the exam, whereas only 18% of Calculus AB test-takers received a 5 that same year.

Which AP exams are the hardest?

The Three Hardest AP ClassesAP Physics 1. Despite a reputation as one of the most difficult AP classes, Physics 1 is also one of the most popular—137,229 students took it in 2021. ... AP U.S. History. AP U.S. history is one of the hardest AP classes in the humanities and in general. ... AP Chemistry.

What is a 5 on AP Calc BC?

What is a good AP® Calculus BC score? Receiving a 3, 4, or 5 is generally accepted as scoring well on an AP® exam. According to the College Board a 3 is 'qualified,' a 4 'well qualified,' and a 5 'extremely well qualified.

Does Calc BC cover Calc 2?

BC covers university-level Calculus I and II – the first two semesters of college calculus. Both courses use curriculums approved by College Board. Both AB and BC earn the same honors grade points.

How do I study for the Calc BC exam?

Best Ways to Study for the AP Calculus BC ExamStep 1: Assess Your Skills. ... Step 2: Study the Material. ... Step 3: Practice Multiple-Choice Questions. ... Step 4: Practice Free-Response Questions. ... Step 5: Take Another Practice Test. ... Step 6: Exam Day Specifics.

What is AP Calculus BC?

AP Calculus BC is an extension of AP Calculus AB, and as such the difference between the two is in scope, not difficulty. Both AP Calculus AB and BC are full-year high school courses roughly equivalent to first-year college calculus classes.

When is the AP Calculus BC exam 2021?

What's Tested on the AP Calculus BC Exam? June 4, 2021 / in AP Calculus / by admin. Your decision to take the AP Calculus BC exam involves many factors, but in essence it boils down to a question of choosing between three hours of time spent on the AP Calculus BC exam and a significant amount of time spent in a college classroom.

What score do you need to take calculus?

Depending on the college, a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Calculus exam can allow you to leap over the introductory courses and jump right into more advanced classes. These advanced classes are usually smaller, more specifically focused, more intellectually stimulating, and simply more interesting than a basic course.

AP Calculus AB vs. BC

AP Calculus is divided into two classes: AB and BC. The College Board says Calculus AB is the equivalent of a semester of college calculus and BC is the equivalent of a year of college calculus. In truth, AB calculus covers closer to three quarters of a year of college calculus.

AP Calculus BC Sections and Question Types

The AP Calculus BC exam is three hours long and has two sections: a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. Each exam section has a Part A and a Part B.

AP Calculus BC Scores

AP scores are reported from 1 to 5. Colleges are generally looking for a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam, but some may grant credit for a 3. Learn more about college AP credit policies. Each test is curved so scores vary from year to year. Here’s how AP Calculus BC students scored on the May 2020 test:

How can I prepare?

AP classes are great, but for many students they’re not enough! For a thorough review of AP Calculus BC content and strategy, pick the AP prep option that works best for your goals and learning style.

How many questions are asked in AP Calculus BC?

Section 1 of the AP Calculus BC exam is comprised of 45 multiple choice questions that are divided up into two parts: Part A and Part B. Here's how the two parts of the exam break down:

How to prepare for AP Calc BC?

The most important thing you can do to prepare for the AP Calc BC exam is to show up and pay attention in class! Your teacher is going to dedicate class time to working hard to help you learn the material you need to know in order to do well on the AP Calc BC exam. Also, the course is designed to help you progress from easier concepts to harder ones, especially since mastering foundational math skills is a key component to working difficult problems.

How long is section 2 of BC?

Section 2 of the BC Calculus exam gives you one hour and 30 minutes to answer six free response questions. Just like Section 1, this section of the AP Calc BC exam is also divided into a Part A and Part B. Here's how those parts break down:

What happens if you select the wrong answer on AP exam?

If you select the wrong answer, you don’t receive points. That means there is no penalty for guessing, so make sure you try to answer every question on the exam! The free response section is a little different. AP Exam scorers work from a rubric to score the free response answers.

What is the purpose of AP Calc class?

Basically, a major goal of the AP Calc class is to help prepare you for your AP exam. If you really want to do well on the AP Calc BC exam, you need to show up to class, pay attention, take notes, and ask questions.

Why is it important to work on calculus?

Working on equations together with a group of classmates can boost morale and give you the opportunity to get a better handle on core skills and concepts.

Is AP Calculus BC easy?

But there are a few things you can do to make the AP Calculus BC exam a little easier, like understanding the exam's format, the topics it covers, and how it's scored. Knowing what to expect before you take the AP Calc BC exam can help you earn a higher score! To give you all the inside information you need about the AP Calculus BC Exam, ...

How long is the AP Calculus BC exam?

The AP Calculus BC exam is one of the longest AP exams, clocking in at three hours and 15 minutes. The exam content is divided into two primary sections: one section of multiple-choice questions, and the other made up of free-response questions.

What are the two components of AP Calculus BC?

The two key components are mathematical practices and big ideas. Mathematical Practices: Mathematical practices are the four key skills a student must possess to complete the tasks asked on the AP Calculus exam. The practices of the AP Calculus BC course are:

What is the free response section of AP Calculus BC?

The free-response portion of the AP Calculus BC exam will test your ability to solve problems using an extended chain of reasoning. In this section, you will be expected to demonstrate a sound knowledge of mathematical reasoning and thinking. You will also articulate the reasoning and methods that support your answer. Keep in mind that an answer without supporting work will receive no credit. Some questions will ask you to justify an answer or determine whether a theorem can be applied. Each part of the free-response section is timed, and you may use a graphing calculator only for Part A. During Part B, you may not use a calculator, and though you are allowed to return to working on Part A questions during Part B, you must do so without a calculator.

How many students took the AP Calculus exam in 2019?

In 2019, approximately 440,000 of the 2.8 million students taking AP exams took an AP Calculus exam. Most of these students took the AP Calculus AB exam, which covers pre-calculus along with differential and integral calculus, but many others took the AP Calculus BC exam, which goes into deeper detail, covering the same content plus polar ...

What is calculus BC?

Much like the Calculus AB course, the AP Calculus BC course focuses on the unifying themes of calculus. These include derivatives, integrals, limits, approximation, applications and modeling, and sequences and series, as well as basic experience with appropriate methods and applications. Competence in computation is important, but the primary emphasis of the course is on a multidimensional approach to calculus. In other words, concepts, results, and problems should be expressed in numerous ways including graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. In this course, you will also focus on the importance of the connections and relationships between various representations of functions. The course relies heavily on technology to reinforce relationships among functions, confirm written work, implement experimentation, and assist in interpreting results.

How long is the free response section?

The free-response section is next, and it lasts for one hour and 30 minutes, accounting for the remaining 50% of your score. Like the multiple-choice section, the free-response section is split into two parts. Part A contains two problems, which you will have 30 minutes to complete with the use of your calculator and is worth 16.7% of your exam score. Part B has four problems, which you will have 60 minutes to complete without the use of your calculator and is worth 33.3% of your exam score.

What is the highest score for AP math?

In 2019, 43% of students taking the exam received the top score of 5, making it the highest scoring math or science AP exam. 81% of students who took the exam score a 3 or higher while just 5.2% received the bottom score of 1. Keep in mind, credit and advanced standing based on AP scores varies widely from school to school.

What is free response AP Calculus BC?

Answering free-response questions from previous AP Exams is a great way to practice: it allows you to compare your own responses with those that have already been evaluated and scored. Free-response questions and scoring guidelines are available on the Exam Preparation section of the About the Exam page for AP Calculus BC.

What are the parts of a free response question?

Many free-response questions are divided into parts such as (a), (b), (c), and (d), with each part calling for a different response. Credit for each part is awarded independently, so you should attempt to solve each part. For example, you may receive no credit for your answer to part (a), but still receive full credit for part (b), (c), or (d). If the answer to a later part of a question depends on the answer to an earlier part, you may still be able to receive full credit for the later part, even if that earlier answer is wrong.

Do you get credit for answering questions without supporting work?

The exam reader wants to see if you know how to solve the problem. Answers without supporting work will usually not receive credit.

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Go to AP Central for resources for teachers, administrators, and coordinators.

About the Course

Explore the concepts, methods, and applications of differential and integral calculus, including topics such as parametric, polar, and vector functions, and series. You’ll perform experiments and investigations and solve problems by applying your knowledge and skills.

About the Units

The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences.

Course Content

You’ll start to explore how limits will allow you to solve problems involving change and to better understand mathematical reasoning about functions.

Search AP Credit Policies

Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.

Course Resources

Once you join your AP class section online, you’ll be able to access AP Daily videos, any assignments from your teacher, and your assignment results in AP Classroom. Sign in to access them.

What is the difference between AP Calculus BC and AP Calculus BC?

Key Differences: The AP Calculus exams are unique because AP Calculus BC covers all the material from AP Calculus AB. In fact, students who take the AP Calculus BC exam receive a Calculus AB Subscore which rates their performance on the Calculus AB topics.

Does Areteem offer AP classes?

Areteem offers online AP courses, both in the summer and during the school year. Click here for more information about upcoming offerings!

What is the AP score?

We can refer to the AP® Student Score Distributions, released by the College Board annually. These reports show us that the mean score was 3.81 in 2014, 3.72 in 2015, 3.80 in 2016, 3.78 in 2017, 3.74 in 2018, 3.80 in 2019 and 3.84 in 2020.

What is a 3 on AP?

According to the College Board a 3 is ‘qualified,’ a 4 ‘well qualified,’ and a 5 ‘extremely well qualified.’. Depending on the school you plan to attend, college credits are often offered for scores within the 3-5 range.

When Is The AP Calculus BC Exam?

About The AP Calculus BC Exam

• Much like the Calculus AB course, the AP Calculus BC course focuses on the unifying themes of calculus. These include derivatives, integrals, limits, approximation, applications and modeling, and sequences and series, as well as basic experience with appropriate methods and applications. Competence in computation is important, but the primary empha...

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AP Calculus BC Exam Content

AP Calculus BC Score Distribution, Average Score, and Passing Rate