If you are taking the AP Calc AB exam soon and are curious about how it is scored, you’ve come to the right place. This is your guide to the AP Calculus AB scoring system.
How Is the AP Calculus AB Exam Scored?
AP Calculus AB exam consists of two sections: multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and free-response questions (FRQs). Section I includes 45 MCQs, while Section II consists of 6 FRQs or long-answer questions. Each section accounts for 50% of the total composite score, giving a total score of 108 points.
| Section I | 45 MCQs | 54 points |
| Section II | 6 FRQs | 54 points |
| Subtotal | 108 points | |
As shown in the table above, Section I is worth 54 points, with each MCQ worth approximately 1.2 points. It’s important to note that there is no penalty for wrong answers, so it’s always better to make an educated guess rather than leave a question unanswered.
In Section II, there are six questions, each worth 9 points. These 9 points are divided into two criteria: you will earn points for demonstrating the correct steps to solve the problem and additional points for arriving at the correct final answer. This section uses a "step-marking" method, where partial points are awarded for each critical step completed correctly, even if mistakes are made later and the final answer is incorrect.
AP Calculus AB Raw Score Conversion
Your final score is determined by the number of correct points earned out of a possible 108. This composite score is then converted into a score on the AP scale, which ranges from 1 to 5. Please note that the College Board® keeps the conversion process confidential, so your composite score on the AP Exam will not be publicly disclosed.
Considering these AP Calculus AB scoring guidelines, let's examine how your AP scores can impact your college applications, including recommendations, placements, and college credits.
To further strengthen your preparation and deepen your understanding of key concepts, our AP Calculus Study Guide is an invaluable resource. Available in both print and e-book formats, this guide walks you through each topic systematically, making complex concepts easier to grasp.
AP Calculus AB Scoring Table
After your AP Calculus AB exam scores have been recorded on the AP grading scale, they will be sent to the colleges you’ve selected. If you want to learn how to request that the College Board send your AP scores to your college, check out our page on AP Exam Scores.
Below is the AP score table showing the conversion of AP scores into equivalent college grades for the Calc AB exam:
| AP Exam Score | College Grade Equivalent | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | A+ or A | Extremely Well-Qualified |
| 4 | A-, B+, or B | Very Well-Qualified |
| 3 | B-, C+, or C | Qualified |
| 2 | — | Possibly Qualified |
| 1 | — | No Recommendation |
The general rule of thumb is to aim for a score of 3 or higher if you’re considering earning college credits and Advanced Placement® for your AP Calc AB exam score. Always remember to check with the colleges you intend to apply to regarding their minimum requirements.
“Recent research from the College Board found that students who achieve a score of 2 in AP Calculus AB earn higher grades when taking the course in college than students who did not take AP Calculus AB.”
AP Calculus AB Score Distributions
Taking the AP exam for Calculus AB has many other benefits. Check out our AP Calculus AB exam guide to discover why it could benefit your career.
In 2024, a total of 278,657 students took the AP Calculus AB exam, and 64.4% of test-takers scored a 3, 4, or 5. This success rate is higher than that of 2023, which is an encouraging result, considering how challenging AP Calculus AB can be.
Prepare smart with UWorld’s AP Calc AB Prep Course, which provides an in-depth review of key concepts, practice tests, and strategies to help you score high.
Let's crunch some numbers below to get an idea about the AP Calculus AB score distributions:
| AP Score | % of Students 2024 | % of Students 2023 | % of Students 2022 | % of Students 2021 | % of Students 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 21.4 % | 22.4 % | 20.4 % | 17.6 % | 19 % |
| 4 | 27.8 % | 16.2 % | 16.1 % | 14.1 % | 20.4 % |
| 3 | 15.3 % | 19.4 % | 19.1 % | 19.3 % | 20.5 % |
| 2 | 22.7 % | 21.7 % | 22.6 % | 25.3 % | 24.1 % |
| 1 | 12.9 % | 20.3 % | 21.7 % | 23.7 % | 16 % |
| Avg. Success Rate (3 & above) |
64.4 % | 61.4 % | 51 % | 55.4 % | 58 % |
As you can see from the table above, the scores on the Calculus AB exam were higher in 2024 compared to previous years. Across the board, more than 64% of students scored 3 or higher. AP Calculus AB is a challenging subject, but with the right study tools, course instruction, and dedication, you can achieve a score of 5.
UWorld’s online AP Calculus AB practice exams can help you get there. By taking practice tests, you can track your progress and address any areas that may be confusing, allowing you to build a solid foundation in core calculus concepts. Additionally, you can make quick notes and use UWorld's flashcards to review concepts and theorems efficiently when preparing for the exam.
UWorld’s AP Calculus Question Bank offers a comprehensive set of practice questions to help you tackle various problem types and boost your chances of success on exam day
Scoring pattern for AP Calculus AB exams
To secure a strong AP Calculus AB score, understanding the scoring patterns can help you identify areas to focus on. While detailed patterns for the 2024 exam are not yet available, the 2023 results provide valuable insights into trends and challenges that remain relevant for preparation.
In the multiple-choice section, the following trends emerged in 2023:
- The most challenging unit for AP Calculus AB students was Unit 5: Analytical Applications of Differentiation, where only 47% of students correctly answered all of the questions.
- The highest-scoring units were Unit 7: Differential Equations (26% of students answered every question right) and Unit 4: Contextual Applications of Differentiation (19% of students answered every question right).
The Free-Response Section showed the following patterns:
- Students scored higher on FRQ 2 (particle motion). 25% of students earned 8-9 of the 9 possible points.
Overall, students performed better on the “no calculator” questions compared to the ones that required a calculator.
AP Calculus AB Minimum Score Requirement for College Credits
As we mentioned earlier, most colleges in the U.S. recognize AP exam scores to grant students credit or advanced placement. If you score a 3 or higher, you can earn college credits, which may help you graduate early. At some colleges, a score of 3 or higher can even allow you to skip the core math course in your first semester. Some colleges offer both advanced placement and credits, which means you’ll earn the credits and also be able to skip the course.
Each institution has its own criteria for recognizing AP scores. Some colleges accept a score of 3, while others require a 5. Some colleges don’t offer any credit but grant a higher placement based on your AP score. When preparing for your AP Calculus AB exam, it's helpful to know your college’s AP score requirements so you can plan your studies accordingly.
We’ve compiled a list of institutions across the country and the AP scores they accept for admission. The list also includes the courses you can skip based on a specific AP score and whether you’ll earn credits for taking the AP Calculus AB exam. Let’s take a look.
| Institution | AP Score | AP Recognition | Credit/Placement type | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University | 3/4/5 | Credit | Subject to qualifying conditions | 3 |
| Grinnell College | 4/5 | Credit | MAT-124 or 131 | 4 semester credits. |
| Harvard University | 5 | Credit | Subject to other qualifying conditions | 4 |
| Louisiana State University at Alexandria | 3 | Credit | MATH 1431 | 3 credit hrs |
| 4/5 | Credit + Placement |
MATH 1550 | 4 credit hrs | |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 5 | Placement | 18.01A/18.02A | No credit |
| Mississippi State University | 3/4/5 | Credit | MA 1713 | 3 credit hrs |
| New York University | 4/5 | Credit | MATH-UA 121 | 4 |
| University of Notre Dame | 5 | Credit + Placement |
Equivalent course: MATH 10550 |
4 credits towards MATH 10091 |
| Reed College | 5 | Credit | Placement determined in consultation with the faculty | 1 credit |
| Stanford University | 5 | Credit + Placement |
Math 19 or 20 (Placement subject to Department or Registrar) |
6 quarter units |
| Truman State University | 3 |
Credit + Placement |
MATH 192: Essentials of Calculus | 4 |
| 4/5 | MATH 198: Analytic Geometry & Calculus I | 5 | ||
| Johns Hopkins University | 5 | Credit + Placement |
AS.110.108 | 4 credits towards AS.110.108 |
| Yale University | 5 | Credit | MATH 115,MATH 116, or MATH 118 |
1 (subject to other qualifying conditions) |
Frequently Asked Questions
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References
- Past AP Calculus AB Score Distributions. AP Students. (2024). apcentral.collegeboard.org. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions/ap-calculus-ab
- Packer. (2023, June 30). The 2023 AP Calculus AB scores. twitter.com. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from https://twitter.com/AP_Trevor/status/1674500852122255360?lang=en
- AP® Calculus AB Student Score Distributions – Global AP Exams – May 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap24-calculus-ab-score-distributions.pdf
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