<p>So I'm planning to take calculus in the fall and my question is, for all of you who've taken AP Calculus, is a prep book worth it? In my experience, I've never "studied" for math in the way that I sit down with my history notes for hours. To me, history is more rote memorization which requires some form of notes while math is more practice. </p>
<p>So for everyone who has sat down for an AP Calc exam, did you use a prep book? And did it help for what it was worth?</p>
<p>I used Barron’s for AP Calc. Just practice all of the problems that they have at the end of the chapters. Also, try to find released ap questions and do as much as you can until you know you have mastered the concepts. For FRQ, just practice the questions from previous years (try re-do them and look for key words). If you have trouble with something, watch PatrickJMT or Khan academy.</p>
<p>I used a “practice” book about a month before the exam. I did three out of the six tests in the book. My teacher had it so I didn’t have to buy it c</p>
<p>It was called “Multiple Choice and Free Response Questions in Preparation for the AP Calculus BC Exam” or something like that…</p>
<p>Go through the past exams. Look over all the answers. Study the way they write their answers. You’ll want to use the same structure. Try to learn how to assign point values to the questions. Look for key words. They will tell you what they want for your answer in order to give you the points.</p>
<p>I bought a prep book (Barron’s) and didn’t even open it and still did well on the test. I suggest getting a book with just practice problems or doing practice online because, in my experience, practice is the best way to prepare for a math exam.</p>