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AP Calculus AB

What the AP Calculus AB exam covers, how it's scored, the eight units it's built on, and how to practice your way to a 5.

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AP Calculus AB is a college-level introductory calculus course and exam covering limits, derivatives, integrals and the Fundamental Theorem across eight units. The exam runs 3 hours 15 minutes: Section I is 45 multiple-choice questions and Section II is 6 free-response questions, each section split into calculator and no-calculator parts, scored from 1 to 5. It's taken in May, and a 3 or higher is the common passing line — confirm your target college's credit policy.

AP Calculus AB in PrepScore

Practice, write, rehearse and review.

Four connected tools follow the same 8 units and exam structure.

1–5The AP score scale; a 3 is the common "passing" line.
45 + 645 multiple-choice and 6 free-response questions.
3h 15mCalculator and no-calculator parts in each section.
8 unitsLimits, derivatives, integrals and the FTC.
What's on it

Two sections, eight units

The exam weighs multiple choice and free response equally, and its questions are drawn from the eight units of the course.

Section I — Multiple choice

45 questions, in two parts.

One part allows a graphing calculator and the other doesn't. Discrete questions on limits, derivatives, integrals and analysis of functions — worth half your score.

Section II — Free response

6 questions, in two parts.

Multi-step problems split into a calculator part and a no-calculator part. They reward correct setup, clear justification and full work — the other half of your score.

Scoring

One 1–5 score.

The two sections combine into a single 1–5. A 3 is "qualified"; a 4 or 5 is strong. Credit and placement policies are set by each college — confirm yours.

Practice it, unit by unit.

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The eight units

What AP Calculus AB covers

  • 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
  • Unit 6 — Integration and Accumulation of Change
  • Unit 7 — Differential Equations
  • Unit 8 — Applications of Integration

How to study for AP Calculus AB

  • Practice one unit at a time, then mix units like the exam does.
  • Drill the free-response — show full work and justify every conclusion.
  • Know which problems want the calculator and which don't — practice both ways.
  • Review every miss until the concept, not just the answer, is clear.
  • Sit timed sets to build pace across both sections.
FAQ

AP Calculus AB questions

What's on the AP Calculus AB exam?
Two sections in 3 hours and 15 minutes. Section I is 45 multiple-choice questions, split into a part that allows a graphing calculator and a part that doesn't. Section II is 6 free-response questions, also split into a calculator part and a no-calculator part. Questions are drawn from the course's eight units on limits, derivatives, integrals and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
How is AP Calculus AB scored?
On the 1–5 AP scale. The multiple-choice and free-response sections are weighted equally and combined into that single 1–5 score. Score distributions are approximate and vary by year — confirm current data on College Board.
What is a good AP Calculus AB score?
A 3 or higher is considered qualified and is the common passing line; a 4 or 5 is strong and earns credit more widely. Whether a score earns credit or placement depends on each college — confirm your target school's credit policy on its site.
What's the difference between AP Calculus AB and BC?
AB covers roughly a first-semester-and-a-half of college calculus — limits, derivatives, integrals and the Fundamental Theorem. BC covers everything in AB plus additional topics such as infinite series and parametric, polar and vector functions, and reports an AB subscore. Confirm scope on College Board.
When is the AP Calculus AB exam?
In May, on the College Board's fixed AP exam schedule. Confirm the current year's date on College Board.
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