5 Steps to a 5 AP Calculus AB & BC, 2012-2013 Edition (2011)

STEP 1. Set Up Your Study Plan

Chapter 1. What You Need to Know About the AP Calculus AB/BC Exams

IN THIS CHAPTER

Summary: Learn what topics are tested in the two exams, what the format is, which calculators are allowed, and how the exams are graded.

Key Ideas

The AP Calculus BC exam covers all of the topics in the AB exam as well as additional topics including Euler’s Method, logistic differential equations, series, and more.

Both exams have 45 multiple-choice questions and 6 free-response questions. There are two types of questions and each makes up 50% of the grade.

Many graphing calculators are permitted on the exams, including the TI-98.

You may bring up to two approved calculators for the exams.

You may store programs in your calculator and you are not required to clear the memories in your calculator for the exams.

1.1 What Is Covered on the AP Calculus Exams?

The AP Calculus exams cover the following topics:

• Functions, Limits and Graphs of Functions, Continuity

• Definition and Computation of Derivatives, Second Derivatives, Relationship between the Graphs of Functions and their Derivatives, Applications of Derivatives

• Finding Antiderivatives, Definite Integrals, Applications of Integrals, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Numerical Approximations of Definite Integrals, and Separable Differential Equations.

The BC exam covers all of the topics on the AB exam as well as parametric, polar and vector functions, Euler’s method, L’Hôpital’s Rule, antiderivatives by parts and by partial fractions, improper integrals, logistic differential equations, and series.

Students are expected to be able to solve problems that are expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. For a more detailed description of the topics covered in the AP Calculus exams, visit the College Board website at: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap.

1.2 What Is the Format of the AP Calculus AB/BC Exams?

The AP Calculus exams have 2 sections:

Section I contains 45 multiple-choice questions for which you are given 105 minutes to complete.

Section II contains 6 free-response questions for which you are given 90 minutes to complete.

The total time allotted for both sections is 3 hours and 15 minutes. Below is a summary of the different parts of each section.

During the time allotted for Part B of Section II, students may continue to work on questions from Part A of Section II. However, they may not use a calculator at that time. Please note that you are not expected to be able to answer all the questions in order to receive a grade of 5. If you wish to see the specific instructions for each part of the test, visit the College Board website at: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/calculus_ab/calc.html.

1.3 What Are the Advanced Placement Exam Grades?

Advanced Placement Exam grades are given on a 5-point scale with 5 being the highest grade. The grades are described below:

How Is the AP Calculus Exam Grade Calculated?

• The exam has a total raw score of 108 points: 54 points for the multiple-choice questions in Section I and 54 points for the free-response questions for Section II.

• Each correct answer in Section I is worth 1.2 points; there is no point deduction for incorrect answers and no points are given for unanswered questions. For example, suppose your result in Section I is as follows:

Your raw score for Section I would be:

40 × 1.2 = 48. Not a bad score!

• Each complete and correct solution for Section II is worth 9 points.

• The total raw score for both Section I and II is converted to a 5-point scale. The cut-off points for each grade (1–5) vary from year to year. Visit the College Board website at: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/exgrd_set.html for more information. Below is a rough estimate of the conversion scale:

Remember, these are approximate cut-off points.

1.4 Which Graphing Calculators Are Allowed for the Exam?

The following calculators are allowed:

For a more complete list, visit the College Board website at: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/calculus_ab/calc.html. If you wish to use a graphing calculator that is not on the approved list, your teacher must obtain written permission from the ETS before April 1st of the testing year.

Calculators and Other Devices Not Allowed for the AP Calculus Exam

• T192 Plus, Vogage 200, HP-95 and devices with QWERTY keyboards

• Non-graphing scientific calculators

• Laptop computers

• Pocket organizers, electronic writing pads, or pen-input devices

• Cellular phone calculators

Other Restrictions on Calculators

• You may bring up to 2 (but no more than 2) approved graphing calculators to the exam.

• You may not share calculators with another student.

• You may store programs in your calculator.

• You are not required to clear the memories in your calculator for the exam.

• You may not use the memories of your calculator to store secured questions and take them out of the testing room.