Last Updated: January 5, 2025
The AP Calculus BC exam consists of two sections. Section 1 includes multiple choice questions with and without calculator, while Section 2 contains free response questions with and without calculator. The exam is scored on a scale of 1 - 5, with a 5 being the highest possible score.
The scores in this calculator are estimates based on previous scoring curves. The actual scoring curve may vary year to year.
Instructions
Enter your scores for each section using the sliders below to calculate your estimated AP score. Pay attention to which sections allow calculators and which don't.
Section 1: Multiple Choice
Section 2 Part A: Free Response 1 (Calculator)
Section 2 Part A: Free Response 2 (Calculator)
Section 2 Part B: Free Response 1 (No Calculator)
Section 2 Part B: Free Response 2 (No Calculator)
Section 2 Part B: Free Response 3 (No Calculator)
Section 2 Part B: Free Response 4 (No Calculator)
PREDICTED AP® SCORE
0 | Score range: 1 - 5
SECTION SCORES
Multiple Choice Score
0 / 54
Free Response Score
0 / 54
Combined Composite Score
0 / 108
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The AP Calculus BC exam consists of two main sections with the following structure:
| Section | Part | Question Type | Time | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | Part A | Multiple Choice (No Calculator) | 60 minutes | 30 questions |
| Part B | Multiple Choice (Calculator) | 45 minutes | 15 questions | |
| Section 2 | Part A | Free Response (Calculator) | 30 minutes | 2 questions |
| Part B | Free Response (No Calculator) | 60 minutes | 4 questions |
Total exam time: 3 hours and 15 minutes
Section 1, Part A (Multiple Choice - No Calculator)
30 questions testing your understanding of calculus concepts
Questions include algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, parametric, polar, and vector functions
Includes analytical, graphical, tabular, and verbal representations
Section 1, Part B (Multiple Choice - Calculator)
15 questions requiring graphing calculator use
Focus on practical applications and complex calculations
Includes various function types and representations
Section 2, Part A (Free Response - Calculator)
2 extended problem-solving questions
Requires graphing calculator for efficient solution
Often includes real-world applications
Must show work and justify answers
Section 2, Part B (Free Response - No Calculator)
4 extended problem-solving questions
Tests theoretical understanding and analytical skills
Includes both procedural and conceptual tasks
Must show work and explain reasoning
The AP Calculus BC exam uses a weighted scoring system that combines your performance on both sections. The multiple-choice section accounts for 50% of your score, and the free-response section makes up the other 50%.
Your raw scores from each section are converted into a composite score, which is then converted to the final AP score of 1-5. The distribution of scores from the most recent exam was:
| AP Calculus BC Score | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| 5 | 47.7% |
| 4 | 21.1% |
| 3 | 12.1% |
| 2 | 13.9% |
| 1 | 5.2% |
A score of 3 or higher is generally considered passing, though many top colleges only award credit for scores of 4 or 5. For college admissions purposes, a 4 or 5 is considered a strong score for most colleges, and for top-20 schools a 5 is very much the norm for admitted students.
To earn a high score (4 or 5), students typically need to demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, deep conceptual understanding, and the ability to communicate mathematical reasoning clearly. The free-response questions particularly test students' ability to apply calculus concepts to real-world situations and explain their solutions.
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