Just how hard is BC Calc?

<p>I have been getting an A in BC calc all year, and believe me, my AP class is no walk in the park. But now that it's AP time, I'm struggling with some of the practice tests given in class. I have heard that the practice tests are harder than the actual exam, but what I want to know is the following:</p>

<p>1.) Should an above average AP Calc student be able to score a 5?</p>

<p>2.) What percentage of last year's BC students got a 5 on the exam?</p>

<p>3.) Approximately what score is required for a 5 on the AP Calc BC exam?</p>

<p>4.) What part of the exam do people usually struggle with the most?</p>

<p>5.) How much do other people study for the exam?</p>

<p>It seems like no matter how much I study, there are concepts that I cannot possibly cram in my head in time for the exam. I have been making small errors on practice tests, and I'm really worried about my score...</p>

<p>its not very difficult
around 40% of the people that take it get 5s</p>

<p>3.) In 2003 a raw score of 64 (out of 108) was needed for a 5.</p>

<p>4.) I think that it depends on what kind of test taker you are. That being said, it seems like there's a lot of partial credit available on the FRQs, even if you don't really know what's going on (i.e. you get some points just for having the right endpoints of integration and using the right units).</p>

<p>Re cramming, try just understanding the principle behind some of the ideas. (i.e. rather than memorizing the formulas for exponential growth, growth with a cap, logistic growth, etc. just remember what the derivative should look like and work out the integration for yourself. Memorizing the formulas might be better, since it will save you time, but it's nice to have some way of working things out if you get stuck.)</p>

<p>
[quote]
In 2003 a raw score of 64 (out of 108) was needed for a 5.

[/quote]
This site, <a href="http://home.austin.rr.com/theatons/AP%20Review/Test%20information.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://home.austin.rr.com/theatons/AP%20Review/Test%20information.htm&lt;/a>, tells you that 75 out of 108 is a cutoff for a 5. Which is more reliable? 75 is way higher than 64.</p>

<p>My teacher told us 70. So it's probably somewhere in that neighborhood, varying slightly from year to year.</p>

<p>I personally struggle with FR a lot more than multiple choice.</p>

<p>Aim high. Considering that nearly half of the questions are AB questions, people who take BC Calc as a separate year shouldn't have a problem getting a 4 or 5. For me, I had to learn all the new BC concepts within the last month. It isn't that much, but along with all my other classes, it has been tough.</p>

<p>Thanks, I'm a little reassured. Wow, 40% got 5's? I thought the tests were normed to the normal curve?</p>

<p>Also, is there any place online where I can find a comprehensive list of calc BC formulas (i.e. common integrals and derivatives, integration by parts, Rolle's theorem, etc.?)</p>

<p>Yeah, let's go with yours, ysk1 (especially since you have some outside documentation and I'm just propagating rumors from other sections of cc).</p>

<p>Somebody on another thread said that Wikipedia (which I will defend with my dying breath) says that you need 75% for AB and 65% BC.</p>

<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AP_Calculus%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AP_Calculus&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>sl8r000:
That score of 64/108 for a 5 is listed on my breakdown sheet for the second semester final as the cutoff (a straight copy from the back of the booklet that contains it), and this was the 2003 exam.</p>

<p>
[quote]
That score of 64/108 for a 5 is listed on my breakdown sheet for the second semester final as the cutoff (a straight copy from the back of the booklet that contains it), and this was the 2003 exam.

[/quote]
Is that for BC or AB?</p>

<p>Calculus BC</p>

<p>About how many points do I need to get in order to get a 3?</p>

<p>Is the cutoff for a 5 for BC always lower than that for AB test? Also, is the score distribution chart at <a href="http://home.austin.rr.com/theatons/AP%20Review/Test%20information.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://home.austin.rr.com/theatons/AP%20Review/Test%20information.htm&lt;/a> for AB or BC? In the chart there, the cutoff for a 5 is 75, which is way higher than 64, so the whole chart would be for AB, right?</p>

<p>
[quote]
Is the cutoff for a 5 for BC always lower than that for AB test? Also, is the score distribution chart at <a href="http://home.austin.rr.com/theatons/A...nformation.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://home.austin.rr.com/theatons/A...nformation.htm&lt;/a> for AB or BC? In the chart there, the cutoff for a 5 is 75, which is way higher than 64, so the whole chart would be for AB, right?

[/quote]
I'd like to know as well.</p>

<p>Yes, BC is usually 60 something (65 avg) out of 108, and AB is usually 70 something out of 108.</p>

<p>For 2003, a score of 64 was needed for a 5.</p>

<p>whether its 64 or 70, aim high. remember that most of the BC questions are going to be on the no calculator because the AP test makers know that people can store series in their calculator. the calculator stuff is a lot of AB. biggest mistakes are: derivative of (8-x) is not 1, it's -1, the int(1/x^2) is NOT ln(x^2). and ALWAYS remember to do +C. Keep in mind that sometimes they will give you facts for no apparent reason. </p>

<p>as far as no-calc BC stuff, google "ap calc bc" and go to the college board... take a close look at the bc problems from last years test and the scoring guide. memorize the power series for sin(x), cos(x), tan^-1(x), e^x, and 1/(1-x) and freshen up on the alternating series test, divergence test, p-test and harmonic test. </p>

<p>on that note, why is there never beer at calc parties?</p>

<p>because it's not safe to drink and derive. ;)</p>

<p>More people get 5's on the BC than on AB.</p>