AP Calculus AB Practice Quiz — 20 Free Sample Questions
AP Calculus AB covers limits, derivatives, and integrals through the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Equivalent to a first-semester college calculus course, the exam is taken by high school students seeking college credit in mathematics. Our quiz tests the core concepts and problem-solving techniques you need for the exam.
What is lim(x→2) of (x² - 4)/(x - 2)?
About the AP Calculus AB
The AP Calculus AB exam covers roughly a semester of college calculus, focusing on limits, derivatives, and integrals with applications. The exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long and consists of two sections. Section I has 45 multiple-choice questions (30 without calculator, 15 with) worth 50% of the score. Section II has 6 free-response questions (2 with calculator, 4 without) worth the remaining 50%. Key topics include limits and continuity, differentiation rules (power, product, quotient, chain), implicit differentiation, related rates, curve sketching, optimization, Riemann sums, definite integrals, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (both parts), and basic differential equations including slope fields. Applications of derivatives and integrals — area between curves, accumulation, average value — are heavily tested. The national pass rate is approximately 60%, with a mean score around 3. Students who succeed typically develop strong algebraic fluency, practice with and without calculators, and work through past free-response questions from College Board. Common pitfalls include sign errors in chain rule applications, forgetting the constant of integration, and confusing Part 1 and Part 2 of the FTC. About 300,000 students take AP Calculus AB annually, making it one of the most common AP exams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the format of the AP Calculus AB exam?
45 multiple-choice questions and 6 free-response questions. Total time is 3 hours 15 minutes. A graphing calculator is required for part of the exam.
What topics are on AP Calculus AB?
Limits and continuity, derivatives (rules, implicit, related rates), applications of derivatives, integration, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and basic differential equations.
What is the difference between AP Calculus AB and BC?
Calculus AB covers roughly one semester of college calc. BC covers both semesters, adding series, polar coordinates, parametric equations, and more integration techniques.
What score do I need for college credit?
Most colleges accept a 3 or higher. Selective colleges often require a 4 or 5 for credit or placement.