AP Calculus AB Exam


The Calculus AB Examination seeks to assess how well a student has mastered the concepts and techniques of the subject matter of the course. The examination consists of:

* a multiple-choice section testing proficiency in a wide variety of topics, and
* a free-response section requiring the student to demonstrate the ability to solve problems involving a more extended chain of reasoning.

The examination time for the AP Calculus Examination is 3 hours and 15 minutes. The multiple-choice section of the examination is 45 questions. In Part A of the multiple-choice section (28 questions in 55 minutes), students are not allowed to use calculators. Part B of the multiple-choice section (17 questions in 50 minutes) contains some questions for which a graphing calculator is required. The free-response section (6 questions in 90 minutes) is designed with graphing calculators in mind and contains some questions or parts of questions for which a graphing calculator is required.

Part A of the free-response section (3 questions in 45 minutes) will contain some questions or parts of questions for which a graphing calculator is required. Part B of the free-response section (3 questions in 45 minutes) will not allow the use of a calculator. During the second timed portion of the free-response section (Part B), students will be permitted to continue work on questions in Part A, but they will not be permitted to use a calculator during this time. (See your teacher to find out what calculators are allowed.)

In determining the grade for this examination, the scores for Section I and Section II are given equal weight. Since the examination is designed for full coverage of the subject matter, it is not expected that all students will be able to answer all the questions.