AP Calculus BC / AP Exam Format
 

 

Test duration:    3 hours and 15 minutes

 

Section I           1 hour and 45 minutes

·        Part A: 28 multiple-choice questions without a calculator (55 minutes)

·        Part B: 17 multiple-choice questions with a graphing calculator (50 minutes)

 

Section II         1 hour and 30 minutes

·        Part A: 3 free response questions with a graphing calculator (45 minutes)

·        Part B: 3 free response questions without a calculator (45 minutes)

 

Exam Details

·        Sections I and II are given equal weight.

·        Each question in Section I is given equal weight.

·        Each question in Section II is given equal weight, but the parts of a particular problem are not necessarily given equal weight.

·        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 may not be permitted to use a calculator during this time.

·        The exams are designed for full coverage of the subject matter.

·        Approximately 40% of the exam will be devoted to BC-only topics.

·        In addition to a Calculus BC grade, a Calculus AB subscore will be reported.  The subscore will be based on the portion of the Calculus BC Exam devoted to Calculus AB topics (approximately 60%).

·        The multiple-choice questions are scored with a correction factor to compensate for random guessing (1/4 point deduction for each wrong answer).

·        Show all your work for questions in Section II.  Indicate clearly the methods being used.  Correct answers without supporting work may not receive credit.  Justifications require mathematical (non-calculator) reasons.

·        The free response questions are combined with the results of scoring the multiple-choice questions, and the raw scores are converted to the program’s 5-point scale:

 

            5          Extremely Well Qualified

            4          Well Qualified

            3          Qualified

            2          Possibly Qualified

            1          No Recommendation