AP Calculus AB
AP EXAM 2013
What students must bring

Several sharpened No. 2 pencils (with erasers) for completing all multiple-choice answer
sheets

Pens with black or dark-blue ink for completing areas on the exam booklet covers and for
free-response questions in most exams

Their own school's code if they are testing at a school different from the one they regularly
attend.

A watch (in case the exam room does not have a clock that can be easily seen).

Their social security number for identification purposes. This is optional. If provided, it will
appear on their AP score reports.

Up to two calculators with the necessary capabilities if they are taking an AP Biology,
Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Physics, or Statistics Exam. Visit the most current list
of AP-approved calculators on the AP student site.

A ruler or straightedge only if they are taking an AP Physics Exam (Protractors are not
allowed.)

A government-issued or school-issued photo ID and their AP Student Pack if they do not
attend the school where they are taking the exam*

Social Security number** for identification purposes (optional). If students provide their
number, it will appear on their AP score report.

Their College Board SSD Accommodations Letter if they are taking an exam with
approved testing accommodations
What students must leave at home

Electronic equipment: (cell phone, smart phone, tablet computer, etc.), portable listening
or recording devices (MP3 player, iPod, etc.), cameras or other photographic equipment,
devices that can access the Internet, and any other electronic or communication devices

Unapproved aids: Books, compasses, mechanical pencils, correction fluid, dictionaries,
highlighters*, notes or colored pencils*

Rulers, straightedges and protractors (except students taking the AP Physics Exams)

Scratch paper; notes can be made on portions of the exam booklets or, for Chinese
Language and Culture and Japanese Language and Culture, on scratch paper provided by the
proctor

Watches that beep or have an alarm

Computers

Reference guides, keyboard maps or other typing instructions

Clothing with subject-related information

Food or drink*
AP Calculus AB
2013 Exam Format
50% of Grade
Section I: Multiple-Choice : 105 minutes = 1 hour 45 minutes
The multiple-choice section of the exam has two parts.
Multiple Choice
Number of Questions
Time Allowed
Graphing Calculator
Part A
28
55
No Calculator
Part B
17
50
Graphing Calculator
Required
Total scores on the multiple-choice section are now based on the number of questions
answered correctly. Points are no longer deducted for incorrect answers and, as always,
no points will be awarded for unanswered questions.
50% of Grade
Section II: Free-Response : 90 minutes = 1 hour 30 minutes
The free-response section tests your ability to solve problems using an extended chain of
reasoning.
Free Response
Number of Questions
Time Allowed
Part A
2
30
Part B
4
60
Graphing Calculator
Graphing Calculator
Required
No Calculator
During the second timed portion of the free-response section (Part B), you are permitted to
continue work on problems in Part A, but you are not permitted to use a calculator during this
time.
AP Calculus AB
2010 Free Response Results
245,867 students
Question #
Average Score
out of 9 pts
1
3.67
2
2.60
3
2.19
4
3.67
5
1.75
6
3.14
Average
2.84
AP Calculus AB
2011 Free Response Results
255,357 students
Question #
Average Score
out of 9 points
1
2.79
2
3.31
3
4.64
4
2.44
5
1.63
6
3.03
Average
2.97
Calculators and the Exam
What you need to be able to do:
 plot the graph of a function within an arbitrary viewing window
 find the zeros of functions (solve equations numerically)
 numerically calculate the derivative of a function
 numerically calculate the value of a definite integral
2012-13 List of Graphing Calculators
Casio
FX-6000 series
FX-6200 series
FX-6300 series
FX-6500 series
FX-7000 series
FX-7300 series
FX-7400 series
FX-7500 series
FX-7700 series
FX-7800 series
FX-8000 series
FX-8500 series
FX-8700 series
FX-8800 series
FX-9700 series*
FX-9750 series*
FX-9860 series*
CFX-9800 series*
CFX-9850 series*
CFX-9950 series*
CFX-9970 series*
FX 1.0 series*
Algebra FX 2.0 series*
FX-CG-10 (PRIZM)*
FX-CG-20*
Hewlett-Packard
HP-9G
HP-28 series*
HP-38G*
HP-39 series*
HP-40 series*
HP-48 series*
HP-49 series*
HP-50 series*
Radio Shack
EC-4033
EC-4034
EC-4037
Sharp
EL-5200
EL-9200
EL-9300
EL-9600
EL-9900
series*
series*
series*†
series*
Texas Instruments
TI-73
TI-80
TI-81
TI-82*
TI-83/TI-83 Plus*
TI-83 Plus Silver*
TI-84 Plus*
TI-84 Plus Silver*
TI-85*
TI-86*
TI-89*
TI-89 Titanium*
TI-Nspire/TI-Nspire CX*
TI-Nspire CAS/TI-Nspire CX CAS*
TI-Nspire CM-C*
TI-Nspire CAS CX-C*
Other
Datexx DS-883
Micronta
Smart2
Graphing calculators having the expected built-in capabilities listed above are indicated with an asterisk (*).
However, students may bring any calculator on the list to the exam; any model within each series is
acceptable.
Global Tips:
Show all work.
Remember that the grader is not really interested in finding out the answer to the problem. The
grader is interested in seeing if you know how to solve the problem.
Do not round partial answers.
Store them in your calculator so that you can use them unrounded in further calculations.
Do not let the points at the beginning keep you from getting the points at the end.
If you can do part (c) without doing (a) and (b), do it.
If you need to use an answer from part (a), make a credible attempt at part (a) so that you can
import the (possibly wrong) answer and get your part (c) points.
If you use your calculator to solve an equation, write the equation first.
An answer without an equation might not get full credit, even if it is correct.
If you use your calculator to find a definite integral, write the integral first.
An answer without an integral will not get full credit, even if it is correct.
Do not waste time erasing bad solutions.
If you change your mind, simply cross out the bad solution after you have written the good one.
Crossed-out work will not be graded. If you have no better solution, leave the old one there. It
might be worth a point or two.
Do not use your calculator for anything except:
(a) graph functions, (b) compute numerical derivatives, (c) compute definite integrals, and (d)
solve equations. In particular, do not use it to determine max/min points, concavity, inflection
points, increasing/decreasing, domain, and range. (You can explore all these with your calculator,
but your solution must stand alone.)
Be sure you have answered the problem.
For example, if it asks for the maximum value of a function, do not stop after finding the x at which
the maximum value occurs. Be sure to express your answer in correct units if units are given.
If you can eliminate some incorrect answers in the multiple-choice section, it is
advantageous to guess.
Otherwise it is not. Wrong answers can often be eliminated by estimation, or by thinking
graphically.
If they ask you to justify your answer, think about what needs justification.
They are asking you to say more. If you can figure out why, your chances are better of telling them
what they want to hear. For example, if they ask you to justify a point of inflection, they are
looking to see if you realize that a sign change of the second derivative must occur.
Common Student Errors
1.
is a point of inflection.
NO, you MUST check for a change in concavity!
2.
is a absolute maximum (minimum) if and only if
No, you MUST use the Closed Interval Method.
3. Average rate of change of
on [a, b] is
.
No,
4. Volume by washers is ∫
No,
.
∫
5. Separable differential equations can be solved without separating the variables.
6. Graders will assume things.
If the correct answer came from your calculator, the grader will assume your setup was
correct.
7. Universal logarithmic antidifferentiation:
∫
|
|
Generally, more complicated integrals require u-substitution.
8.
and other Chain Rule errors.
Always use the Chain Rule!
.
2013 AP Exam schedule
The 2013 AP Exams will be administered over two weeks in May: May 6 through 10 and May 13
through 17. Coordinators are responsible for notifying students when and where to report for the
exams. Early testing or testing at times other than those published by the College Board is not
permitted under any circumstances.
Week 1
Morning 8 a.m.
Afternoon 12 noon
Monday,
May 6
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Psychology
Tuesday,
May 7
Computer Science A
Spanish Language
Art History
Wednesday,
May 8
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Chinese Language and Culture
Thursday,
May 9
English Literature and Composition
Japanese Language and Culture
Latin
Friday,
May 10
English Language and Composition
Statistics
Studio Art—last day for Coordinators to submit digital portfolios (by 8 p.m. EDT) and to gather 2-D Design and Drawing
students for physical portfolio assembly
Teachers should have forwarded students' completed digital portfolios to Coordinators before this date.
Week 2
Morning 8 a.m.
Afternoon 12 noon
Afternoon 2 p.m.
Monday,
May 13
Biology
Music Theory
Physics B
Physics C: Mechanics
Physics C:
Electricity and Magnetism
Tuesday,
May 14
United States Government and Politics
Comparative Government and Politics
French Language and Culture
Wednesday,
May 15
German Language and Culture
United States History
European History
Thursday,
May 16
Macroeconomics
World History
Italian Language and Culture
Microeconomics
Friday,
May 17
Human Geography
Spanish Literature and Culture