Your hub for AP math exam prep
Format, scoring, topic-by-topic breakdowns, and a study timeline for AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Precalculus, and AP Statistics — plus direct links to the SolveStep tools and practice tests that match each course.
Four AP math courses, one hub
AP Calculus AB
Roughly the first two-thirds of college single-variable calculus: limits, derivatives, and an introduction to integrals.
- Limits and continuity
- Derivative rules, including the power rule
- Applications: related rates, optimization, motion
- Basic definite and indefinite integrals
AP Calculus BC
Everything in AB, plus series, polar and parametric curves, and more advanced integration techniques — about a full year of college calculus.
- Everything covered in AP Calculus AB
- Sequences, series, and convergence tests
- Polar, parametric, and vector-valued functions
- Additional integration techniques
AP Precalculus
The functions-and-modeling foundation for calculus: polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions.
- Polynomial & rational functions
- Exponential & logarithmic functions
- Trigonometric & polar functions
- Function composition, inverses, and transformations
AP Statistics
Collecting, describing, and drawing conclusions from data — descriptive stats, probability, and statistical inference.
- Exploring & describing data
- Probability & probability distributions
- Sampling distributions
- Inference: confidence intervals & hypothesis tests
Full statistical procedures aren't supported yet — the arithmetic and percentage tools below can still help with the computational side while you work through inference by hand.
How the AP math exams are structured
Every AP math exam pairs a multiple-choice section with a free-response section, and both count toward a single composite score.
Section I — Multiple choice
Roughly half the exam. Split into a no-calculator part and a calculator-allowed part, covering the full range of course topics.
Section II — Free response
Multi-part problems that require full, shown work. Also split into no-calculator and calculator-allowed portions, and hand-scored against a published rubric.
Exams are administered once a year in May on a fixed schedule set by the College Board — check collegeboard.org for this year's exact date and any calculator policy for your course.
A simple timeline that works for any AP math course
Take a full practice test cold, with no review beforehand. The Practice Tests page scores you instantly and shows exactly which question types you missed.
Use Practice Mode to hammer the specific skill you're weakest on with unlimited fresh problems, checking your own work against the step-by-step breakdown every time.
Retake the matching practice test under real time pressure. Every retake is a freshly randomized set, so you're never just remembering last time's answers.
Skim your past free-response reviews for recurring mistakes, get sleep, and trust the reps you've already put in. New material this late rarely sticks.
More from the blog
Step-by-Step Guide to Solving Quadratic Equations
The core algebra skill every precalculus and calculus course assumes you already have.
Read the guide →5 Tips to Get Better at Algebra, Fast
Practical habits for tightening up the fundamentals before you tackle calculus-level work.
Read the tips →How SolveStep Actually Solves Your Math
See exactly how the step-by-step engine parses and solves a problem, so you can trust — and check — every reveal.
See how it works →AP Exam Hub FAQ
How is the AP math exam scored?
Every AP exam is scored on a 1–5 scale, combining a multiple-choice section and a free-response section that's hand-scored against a published rubric. Most colleges award credit or placement for a 3 or higher, though the exact policy varies by school.
What's the difference between AP Calculus AB and BC?
AB covers roughly the first two-thirds of a college single-variable calculus sequence — limits, derivatives, and basic integrals. BC covers everything in AB plus additional topics: series, polar/parametric curves, and more advanced integration techniques, roughly a full year of college calculus.
When are AP exams given?
AP exams are administered once a year in early-to-mid May, on a fixed schedule set by the College Board. Check collegeboard.org each year for the exact date of your specific exam.
Does SolveStep cover AP Statistics problems?
Not yet for full statistical procedures like hypothesis tests or regression. The arithmetic, percentage, and algebra tools on SolveStep still help with the computational side of stats problems, and full AP Statistics support is on our roadmap.