Estimate your AP Calc AB exam score based on your multiple choice and free response performance
📊 Calculate Your AP Score
Section I: Multiple Choice (45 Questions)
Each correct answer = 1 point, no penalty for wrong answers
Section II: Free Response (6 Questions)
Your Predicted AP Score
5
Multiple Choice Raw Score:0/45
Free Response Raw Score:0/54
MC Weighted (50%):0
FR Weighted (50%):0
Composite Score:0/108
Understanding the AP Calculus AB Exam Structure
The AP Calculus AB exam is a rigorous assessment designed by the College Board to test your understanding of introductory college-level calculus concepts. The exam is divided into two main sections, each contributing equally to your final score.
Section I: Multiple Choice (50% of Total Score)
The multiple choice section contains 45 questions and is divided into two parts:
Part A (30 questions, 60 minutes): No calculator allowed. Tests fundamental calculus concepts and algebraic manipulation skills.
Part B (15 questions, 45 minutes): Graphing calculator required. Focuses on problems requiring numerical and graphical analysis.
Section II: Free Response (50% of Total Score)
The free response section contains 6 questions that require you to show your work and justify your answers:
Part A (2 questions, 30 minutes): Graphing calculator required. Often includes real-world applications.
Part B (4 questions, 60 minutes): No calculator allowed. Tests pure mathematical understanding.
How AP Calculus AB Scores Are Calculated
Your composite score is calculated using a weighted formula that combines your performance on both sections:
The multiple choice section is scaled by multiplying by 1.2 to make it worth 54 points (matching the maximum FRQ score), giving both sections equal weight.
AP Score Cutoffs (Approximate)
AP Score
Composite Score Range
Meaning
College Credit
5
70-108
Extremely Well Qualified
Most colleges grant credit
4
55-69
Well Qualified
Many colleges grant credit
3
40-54
Qualified
Some colleges grant credit
2
25-39
Possibly Qualified
Rarely grants credit
1
0-24
No Recommendation
No credit
Note: These cutoffs are approximate and may vary slightly each year based on the difficulty of the exam and overall student performance.
Key Topics Covered on AP Calculus AB
Unit 1-2: Limits & Continuity
4-7% of exam. Understanding limits, continuity, and the Intermediate Value Theorem.
Unit 3-4: Differentiation
15-18% of exam. Derivative rules, chain rule, implicit differentiation.
Unit 5: Analytical Applications
15-18% of exam. Related rates, optimization, Mean Value Theorem.
Unit 6: Integration
17-20% of exam. Antiderivatives, definite integrals, u-substitution.
Unit 7: Differential Equations
6-9% of exam. Slope fields, separation of variables, exponential models.
Unit 8: Applications of Integration
10-15% of exam. Area between curves, volumes, accumulation functions.
Tips to Maximize Your AP Calculus AB Score
Master the fundamentals: Ensure you have a solid understanding of limits and derivatives before moving to integration.
Practice FRQs extensively: Review past AP exam free response questions from the College Board website.
Show all work: On free response questions, partial credit is awarded for correct methodology even if the final answer is wrong.
Know your calculator: Be proficient with graphing derivatives, finding zeros, and calculating definite integrals on your graphing calculator.
Time management: On multiple choice, spend about 1.5 minutes per question. Skip difficult ones and return later.
Memorize key formulas: Know derivative rules, integration formulas, and theorems by heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the difference between AP Calculus AB and BC?
AP Calculus AB covers roughly one semester of college calculus, while BC covers two semesters. BC includes additional topics like parametric equations, polar coordinates, and series. AB is equivalent to Calculus I, while BC covers Calculus I and II.
Q: Is there a penalty for guessing on the multiple choice section?
No! There is no penalty for wrong answers on the AP Calculus AB exam. You should answer every question, even if you need to make an educated guess.
Q: What score do I need for college credit?
Most colleges require a 3 or higher for credit, though selective institutions often require a 4 or 5. Check your target colleges' AP credit policies on their websites.
Q: How accurate is this score predictor?
This calculator uses the standard weighting formula and historical score cutoffs. Actual cutoffs vary slightly each year based on exam difficulty. Consider this an estimate within ±3-5 composite points.
Q: What calculator can I use on the AP Calculus AB exam?
Graphing calculators like TI-83, TI-84, TI-89, and TI-Nspire are permitted. Check the College Board's approved calculator list before exam day.
function calculateAPScore() {
var mcCorrect = parseFloat(document.getElementById('mcCorrect').value);
var frq1 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frq1').value) || 0;
var frq2 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frq2').value) || 0;
var frq3 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frq3').value) || 0;
var frq4 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frq4').value) || 0;
var frq5 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frq5').value) || 0;
var frq6 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frq6').value) || 0;
if (isNaN(mcCorrect) || mcCorrect 45) {
alert('Please enter a valid number of correct multiple choice answers (0-45).');
return;
}
if (frq1 9 || frq2 9 || frq3 9 ||
frq4 9 || frq5 9 || frq6 9) {
alert('Please enter valid FRQ scores between 0 and 9.');
return;
}
var frqTotal = frq1 + frq2 + frq3 + frq4 + frq5 + frq6;
var mcWeighted = mcCorrect * 1.2;
var frWeighted = frqTotal;
var compositeScore = mcWeighted + frWeighted;
var apScore = 1;
var scoreMeaning = ";
var scoreClass = ";
if (compositeScore >= 70) {
apScore = 5;
scoreMeaning = '🌟 Extremely Well Qualified – Excellent work! Most colleges will grant credit.';
scoreClass = 'score-5';
} else if (compositeScore >= 55) {
apScore = 4;
scoreMeaning = '✨ Well Qualified – Great job! Many colleges will grant credit.';
scoreClass = 'score-4';
} else if (compositeScore >= 40) {
apScore = 3;
scoreMeaning = '✓ Qualified – Good work! Some colleges will grant credit.';
scoreClass = 'score-3';
} else if (compositeScore >= 25) {
apScore = 2;
scoreMeaning = '📚 Possibly Qualified – Consider additional preparation for retake.';
scoreClass = 'score-2';
} else {
apScore = 1;
scoreMeaning = '📖 No Recommendation – Focus on fundamentals and consider retaking.';
scoreClass = 'score-1';
}
document.getElementById('apScore').textContent = apScore;
document.getElementById('mcRaw').textContent = mcCorrect + '/45';
document.getElementById('frRaw').textContent = frqTotal.toFixed(1) + '/54';
document.getElementById('mcWeighted').textContent = mcWeighted.toFixed(1);
document.getElementById('frWeighted').textContent = frWeighted.toFixed(1);
document.getElementById('compositeScore').textContent = compositeScore.toFixed(1) + '/108';
var meaningElement = document.getElementById('scoreMeaning');
meaningElement.textContent = scoreMeaning;
meaningElement.className = 'score-meaning ' + scoreClass;
document.getElementById('result').style.display = 'block';
document.getElementById('result').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth' });
}