The AP Calculus BC Exam is a rigorous test that requires good preparation. The best way to study for it is to complete and score practice exams in order to track your progress throughout your studies. This blog post will act as your own personal AP Calculus BC score calculator and will help you on your way to taking the BC test.
Download AP Calculus BC Score Calculator Guidelines as pdf.
Exam Scoring Format
The BC exam is split into two parts, multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and free-response questions (FRQ), which are equally weighted in the score. In the MCQ section, there are 45 questions accounting for 54 total points, and in the FRQ section, there are six questions accounting for the other 54 points. This means that each multiple-choice question is worth 1.2 points and each free-response question is worth 9 points.
This format is the same for every AP Calculus BC test no matter which year’s test you choose to practice with. Now onto scoring the exam.
Scoring the MCQs
The MCQ section is the easiest part of the exam to score. First, add up how many questions you answered correctly and then multiply that number by 1.2. Now you will have an MCQ score out of 54 points which represents the entire first half of the exam.
Scoring the FRQ
In order to score the FRQ portion of your exam, look up the AP Calculus BC free-response scoring guidelines for whichever year’s test you are taking. Here is an example of the 2022 guidelines so that you can reference it as I explain how it is used.
For each problem of the FRQ section, the nine points available will be split between the different lettered parts of each question. For example, a question could have three points for part A, and two points for each of parts B, C, and D for a grand total of nine. For each part, the guidelines provide a rubric so that you can assess how many points you should receive. For part A the guidelines might award one point for the setup, one point for a correct answer, and one point for justification.
Go through all six questions in this manner and at the end add up how many total points you have earned. This score is the other half of the 108 points.
Curving your Score
For each year of the test, there is a curve that takes the raw score and puts out the exam score so by looking up this curve, you can find your final score. For example, in 2022 the curve for the AB Calculus test was as follows: zero to 34 points scored a one, 35 to 40 points scored a two, 41 to 51 points scored a three, 52 to 61 points scored a four, and 62 to 108 points scores a five.
| Raw Score (2022 curve) | AP Score |
|---|---|
| 0-34 | 1 |
| 35-40 | 2 |
| 41-51 | 3 |
| 52-61 | 4 |
| 62-108 | 5 |
Conclusion
Now you are able to be your own AP Calculus BC score calculator! Keep studying hard and use this new knowledge to measure your progress as you prepare for the AP Calculus BC Test.
