General Information
- The AP Calculus test has been undergoing
extensive revision over the past four years. The test you will take
in May is the culmination of this revision. The test will not be like
any other before it. The topics taught have changed. The type
of problems you will be required to do have changed.
- The makeup of the test is as follows:
--Section I--Multiple Choice
Part A--25 questions, 55 minutes, no calculators allowed
Part B--17 questions, 50 minutes, calculators allowed
--Section II--Free Response
Part A--2 questions, 30 minutes, calculators allowed
Part B--4 questions, 60 minutes, no calculator allowed
- Once the 30 minutes allowed for Section II, Part A has expired, you will get the 4 no-calculator problems and you can use the last 60 minutes to work on any 6 of the free response but you will not
be allowed the use of the calculator.
- The whole test is normally worth 108
points. 54 points from the multiple choice and 54 from the free response.
It is not expected that all students will be able to answer all the questions.
- In the past, a student who accumulates
about 75% of the points will earn a 5. Accumulating 50% of the points
has earned a 3.
- This is a difficult test…a very difficult
test. The AP Calculus test is given to the best mathematics students
across the country and the average score is going to be 50%. In order
to do well on the AP test, it is not enough to know the material well, you
must be efficient. You must be able to complete problems without spending
a lot of time wondering how to do it. This means that you will have
to spend a great deal of time on this course.
Calculators and the AP Test
- The committee that creates the test has
decided that the calculator should be able to perform four basic functions:
--Produce the graph of a function within an arbitrary viewing window.
--Find the zeros of a function--solve equations numerically.
--Compute the derivative of a function numerically. (The derivative at a
point.)
--Compute definite integrals numerically. (Definite integrals.)
- In the free response section of the test,
if you are using the calculator to do one of the four items listed above,
you need only show the setup and the calculator result.
- For solutions using a calculator other
than the four listed above, students are required to show the appropriate
mathematics.
- If specifically asked to "justify"--the
justification must include mathematical reasons, not merely calculator results.
- Students may bring one or two calculators
into the exam.
- A decimal answer must be correct to three
(3) decimal places. Do not round off intermediate results!