AP Exam Structure
Section I - Multiple Choice Questions - 50% of Score
Section I - Multiple Choice Questions - 50% of Score
1. Part A of the Multiple Choice Section - 60 minutes
1. Part A of the Multiple Choice Section - 60 minutes
- NO CALCULATOR
- 30 multiple choice questions with 4 choices for each question
- +1 for a correct answer and 0 for an incorrect answer or no answer
- 2 Minutes Per Question
2. Part B of the Multiple Choice Section - 45 minutes
2. Part B of the Multiple Choice Section - 45 minutes
- CALCULATOR ALLOWED
- 15 multiple choice questions with 4 choices for each question
- +1 for a correct answer and 0 for an incorrect answer or no answer
- 3 Minutes Per Question
Section II - Free Response Questions - 50% of Score
Section II - Free Response Questions - 50% of Score
1. Part A of the Free Response Section - 30 minutes
1. Part A of the Free Response Section - 30 minutes
- CALCULATOR ALLOWED
- 2 Free Response Questions worth 9 Points each
- 15 Minutes Per Question
2. Part B of the Free Response Section - 60 minutes
2. Part B of the Free Response Section - 60 minutes
- NO CALCULATOR
- You may work on ANY Free Response Question including Part I during this time
- 4 Free Response Questions worth 9 Points each
- 15 Minutes Per Question
Grading of the AP Calculus AB/BC Exam
Grading of the AP Calculus AB/BC Exam
Multiple Choice
Multiple Choice
Number Correct out of 45 = Raw Score
Raw Score * 1.2 = MC Score
Free Response
Free Response
Q1 Points + Q2 Points + Q3 Points + Q4 Points + Q5 Points + Q6 Points = FR SCORE
FINAL SCORE = MC SCORE + FR SCORE
FINAL SCORE = MC SCORE + FR SCORE
(Now take your final score and match it with the rubric below)
Approximate Scoring Rubric for AP Calculus BC
Approximate Scoring Rubric for AP Calculus BC
- Score of 5: 68–108
- Score of 4: 56–67
- Score of 3: 42–55
- Score of 2: 35–41
- Score of 1: 00–34
Approximate Scoring Rubric for AP Calculus AB
Approximate Scoring Rubric for AP Calculus AB
- Score of 5: 68–108
- Score of 4: 52–67
- Score of 3: 39–51
- Score of 2: 27–38
- Score of 1: 00–26
Actual Scoring Average
Actual Scoring Average
- 2010 Global Mean: 38.4 (AB)
- 2011 Global Mean: 45.4 (AB)
- 2012 Global Mean: 47.9 (AB)
- 2013 Global Mean: 46.7 (AB)
- 2013 Global Mean: 45.3 (AB)
- 2014 Global Mean: 56.0 (BC)
- 2015 Global Mean: 61.3 (BC)
Graphing Calculator on the AP Calculus AB/BC Exam
Graphing Calculator on the AP Calculus AB/BC Exam
A graphing calculator appropriate for use on the exams is expected to have the built-in capability to:
- Plot the graph of a function within an arbitrary viewing window,
- Find the zeros of functions (solve equations numerically),
- Numerically calculate the derivative of a function, and
- Numerically calculate the value of a definite integral.
One or more of these capabilities should provide the sufficient computational tools for successful development of a solution to any exam question that requires the use of a calculator. Care is taken to ensure that the exam questions do not favor students who use graphing calculators with more extensive built-in features.