A Guide to AP Calculus AB and BC for Students and Parents

What is AP Calculus?
AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC are college-level calculus courses in which students take the AP exam.
What will I learn in AP Calculus?
Youll learn about two new mathematics concepts, the derivative which generalizes and extends your
knowledge of slope, and the integral which generalizes and extends your knowledge of area. You will learn to
use calculus to model phenomena in the sciences, economics, and other disciplines.
Which students do well in AP Calculus?
Exhibit a genuine interest in mathematics

Are committed to earning college credit/placement by passing the AP Exam

Plan to concentrate their college studies in areas which require calculus

Take responsibility for any prerequisite skills or knowledge required by the class

What is the AP Exam?

The exam is given in May and consists of the following sections:
Section I: a multiple-choice section testing proficiency in a wide variety of topics
o Part A: 28 questions, no calculator, in 55 minutes
o Part B: 17 questions, with calculator, in 50 minutes
Section II: a free-response section requiring the student to demonstrate the ability to solve problems
involving a more extended chain of reasoning
o Part A: 2 questions, with calculator, in 30 minutes
o Part B: 4 questions, no calculator, in 60 minutes
How is the exam scored?
Students who take AB will receive an exam score from 1 to 5, with 5 corresponding to an A in a college
calculus course, and 1 corresponding to an F in a college calculus course. Students who take BC will receive
an exam score from 1 to 5, but will also receive an AB subscore, from 1 to 5, on the subset of exam questions
which are included in the AP Calculus AB topics.
How will I benefit if I receive a score of 4 or 5 on the AP exam?
Students earning a score of 4 or 5 will generally earn college credit, satisfy in-major degree requirements,
and receive advanced placement as follows:
o AB Exam Score or AB Subscore of BC Exam: 1 semester credit for Calculus I
o BC Exam Score: 1 semester credit for Calculus I, and 1 semester of credit for Calculus II
What are the prerequisites for taking AP Calculus?
AP Calculus depends heavily on the skills and knowledge learned in Algebra I, Geometry , Algebra II,
Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus. Other AP math classes, such as AP Statistics and AP Computer Science have
lighter prerequisite requirements, generally requiring a good understanding of Algebra.

Is BC more difficult than AB?

BC is not the next course after AB. BC is an extension of AB. BC includes all AB topics, and includes
additional topics. The key difference between the courses is not the difficulty of the material, but the volume
of material. BC covers all of AB and approximately 30-40% more material. That extension would
ordinarily be covered in a college Calculus II course. A rough outline of the topics included in the AP Calculus
courses is:
Topic
AB
BC
Continuity &
X
X
Limits
The
Derivative
Applications
of the
Derivative
The Integral
Applications
of the
Integral
Differential
Equations
Polar &
Parametric
Functions
Sequences &
Series

X
X

X
X

X
X
X

For a complete course description see: AP Calculus AB/BC Course Description from the College Board
What are the advantages of taking AP Calculus BC?
One is the chance to earn two semesters of college credit/placement, as well to enter college with a deeper
understanding of calculus. However, BC requires a greater workload, due to the additional material not
included in AB. Students taking multiple AP classes should take this workload into consideration.
What are advantages taking AP Calculus AB?
One is the chance to satisfy the in-major calculus requirements of a very large number of possible college
majors. Another is that a student is more likely to score a 4 or 5 on the AB exam, as the exam covers less
material. Students generally score one point higher on the AB exam than on the BC exam. So your chance
of receiving at least one semester of credit is greater in AB than in BC. Students who do not plan to study
mathematics beyond a Calculus I course should take this into consideration.
Is AP Calculus BC the right course for me?
It is expected that students who take BC will seek college credit and/or accelerated placement for both
Calculus I and Calculus II, so that their first college math class is Calculus III (Multivariate Calculus or Linear
Algebra). BC is particularly well-suited to students whose in-major degree requirements include Calculus I
and Calculus II. Examples of such majors are: Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biological
Sciences.
If I have completed Pre-Calculus am I required take Calculus?
No. If your expected undergraduate major does not require Calculus I, you might better prepare for college
by taking AP Statistics, AP Computer Science, or by taking no math course in your senior year and
doubling-up in another subject more closely aligned with your college plans.