AP Calculus Test Score Predictor
Estimate your potential AP Calculus AB or BC exam score based on your performance in the Multiple Choice and Free Response sections. This calculator uses common scoring approximations.
Understanding the AP Calculus Exam
The AP Calculus AB and BC exams are standardized tests administered by the College Board to assess students' understanding of calculus concepts. Both exams are challenging and require a strong grasp of limits, derivatives, integrals, and their applications. The BC exam covers all topics in AB plus additional topics like parametric equations, polar coordinates, vector-valued functions, and series.
Exam Structure
Both the AB and BC exams are divided into two main sections:
- Section 1: Multiple Choice (50% of total score)
- Part A: 30 questions, 60 minutes, no calculator.
- Part B: 15 questions, 45 minutes, graphing calculator required.
- Total: 45 questions, 105 minutes.
- Section 2: Free Response (50% of total score)
- Part A: 2 questions, 30 minutes, graphing calculator required.
- Part B: 4 questions, 60 minutes, no calculator.
- Total: 6 questions, 90 minutes. Each FRQ is scored out of 9 points, totaling 54 possible points for this section.
How AP Scores Are Determined
Your raw score on the AP Calculus exam is a composite of your performance on both the multiple-choice and free-response sections. The College Board uses a complex weighting and scaling process to convert this raw score into a final AP score ranging from 1 to 5.
- Multiple Choice: Each correct answer typically contributes a certain number of points to your raw score. There is no penalty for incorrect answers.
- Free Response: Each of the six FRQs is graded on a scale of 0-9 points, based on the correctness of your methods, calculations, and explanations.
The raw score is then converted to a scaled score (1-5) using a curve that varies slightly from year to year. Generally, the approximate raw score ranges for each AP score are:
- AP Score 5 (Extremely Well Qualified): Approximately 70-108 raw score points
- AP Score 4 (Well Qualified): Approximately 55-69 raw score points
- AP Score 3 (Qualified): Approximately 40-54 raw score points
- AP Score 2 (Potentially Qualified): Approximately 25-39 raw score points
- AP Score 1 (No Recommendation): Approximately 0-24 raw score points
Note: These raw score ranges are approximations and can fluctuate annually. This calculator provides an estimate based on common scoring models.
Using the AP Calculus Score Predictor
This calculator helps you estimate your potential AP Calculus score. Input the number of multiple-choice questions you believe you answered correctly and your estimated total points from the free-response questions. The calculator will then provide a predicted raw score and the corresponding AP score.
Tips for Improving Your AP Calculus Score
- Master Core Concepts: Ensure a deep understanding of limits, derivatives, integrals, and their applications.
- Practice Regularly: Work through past AP exam questions, especially free-response questions, to understand common question types and scoring rubrics.
- Understand Calculator Usage: Know when and how to use your graphing calculator effectively, and when it's not permitted.
- Time Management: Practice completing sections within the allotted time.
- Review Mistakes: Analyze your errors to identify weak areas and focus your study efforts.
- Show Your Work: For FRQs, always show all steps of your work, even if you use a calculator. Partial credit is awarded for correct methods.