Taking AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC Tests the Same Year

Test Preparation AP Mathematics & Computer Science
1

Hello.

I am currently an 11th grader taking my school’s AP Calculus AB class. Due to its slow pace, I have finished self studying AB and am in the midst of studying BC (much of BC seems to be a review of AB, just a few new topics.)

While I know that BC covers all AB material, I still have to take both tests this year to become AP Scholar with distinction. If so, I would have:

10th grade:
AP US History (score = 5)

11th grade
AP Physics C (mechanics only, do not have time to study for E&M)
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB

I am also in AP world history but I will not take the AP test as the US test took a LOT of work to study.

I am very interested in mathematics, but this year, both exams are scheduled for May 5, 2015. Do you know if it is possible for me to take the AB test a couple weeks earlier and take the BC test the actual day?

Please let me know! Have a good day!

2

Nope. The College Board prohibits the taking of the AB and BC exams in the same year due to the overlap in exam questions.

3

OK then… That is a surprise. No late testing allowed at all?

4

If you read the fine print, you cannot use A/B and B/C as separate tests to tote up a higher total in your quest for award levels. I think that’s true, anyway. Read the fine print and report back to us.

I have heard of people self-studying Psychology. Also, why not study Euro History? Wouldn’t it be great if that Gen Ed requirement was taken off your plate when you enter college so you could focus on Math?

Have a strategy for taking the tests. AP has a strategy- they try to get you to aspire to meaningless award levels (and pay $100 per test for the privilege). Really- don’t take the bait. Use AP tests to avoid re-taking classes in college. Period.

5

Late testing is available, but not to take the other calculus test

Yes you can, as long as you take them in different years. The AB subscore of the BC test will not count for the AP Scholar awards.

He’s be better off prepping for world history since he’s actually taking the class.

6

The “Scholar with Distinction” is a piece of paper. It does nothing for you in admissions or anything else as most students who take the AP tests get some kind of “paper” reward. You don’t get extra credit.

7

Agree with @"aunt bea"‌
Don’t just take AP tests to get those AP awards. Take them to learn the material and waive out of college courses.

8

OK thank you. Many people get AP Distinction so hopefully they will ignore it in admissions.