The AP Calculus Test consists of two separate exams:  Calculus AB and Calculus BC.  Essentially, AB is the equivalent of Calculus 1 and BC is the equivalent Calculus 2, on the college level .  A student with advanced calculus knowledge should only take Calculus BC.  The tests are administered simultaneously, preventing students from taking both. 

Calculus AB covers differential and integral calculus and therefore requires considerable background in the underlying  math topics of algebra, geometry, coordinate geometry, trigonometry and advanced topics thereof.  Most students targeting the AB test will have begun their sequence of study with Algebra 1 in the 8th grade and have likely completed an extra math course between grades 9-11.  While about 40% of test takers achieve a score of 4 or greater on the AB exam (second to Calculus BC among the high volume exams), the overall averages are skewed lower owing to the high number of students achieving the lowest score of 1 (25%).  However, it is clear that the underlying high school curriculum does a pretty good job of preparing students for the AB test. ²

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Calculus BC is for students on an advanced track, who likely have demonstrated superior math skills early on.  Students succeed with Calculus BC for two reasons:  They are highly competent at the math, and they understand the broad concepts and how the various mathematical components fit together in practical application and modeling.  The use of a graphing calculator is also considered critical.  Students must use this technology throughout their preparation. 

The score results for Calculus BC are issued in two parts:  an overall score and an AB sub-score.  The AB sub-score is the portion of the test covering Calculus AB content.  When compared to other popular (50,000 or more test takers) AP exams, Calculus BC scoring ranks near the top, with an average score consistently above 3.7 with 80% of test takes achieving a 3.0 or greater. Sixty percent or more of test takers score a 4 or 5.  Students have a very good understanding of the requirements of this exam and prepared when they sit for it.  ²

The duration of the AP Calculus BC exam is three hours and 15 minutes.  Section 1 consists of a two parts.  Part A includes 28 multiple choice questions with a time limit of 55 minutes.  No calculator is permitted.  Part B consists of 17 questions with a time limit of 50 minutes.  A calculator is required.   Section 2 is the "free response" section.  Here is where the student's understanding of overall concepts and use of mathematical techniques is measured in depth.  Parts A and B of Section two consist of 3 problems each.  A calculator is required in part A, but not part B.   The time limit for each part is  45 minutes.  Section 1 and 2 are of equal value from a scoring perspective. ¹

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