3 min read•october 28, 2020
Catherine Liu
Catherine Liu
Multiple Choice Help (MCQ)
Not my favorite color-by-letter. Image Courtesy of Alberto G.
Overview
For many students in AP Calculus, the multiple-choice section is easier than the free-response section. You'll be asked more straightforward skills-based questions, problems typically don't build off of each other, and you have the power to guess. Still, doing well on the multiple-choice requires good test-taking strategies and lots of practice. Here are our tips and tricks to help you do your best in May!
➕Check out this in-depth multiple choice study guide for more info.
Format
Understanding the format of the exam is key to dividing your studying and pacing yourself when doing practice questions.
The multiple-choice section makes up 50% of your score, and you have an hour and 45 minutes to answer 45 questions. This section has 2 parts:
Part A: 60 minutes for 30 non-calculator questions.
Part B: 45 minutes for 15 calculator-required questions.
And here's how often each unit shows up on the test:
Exam Weighting
| Unit | Exam Weighting (AB) | Exam Weighting (BC) |
| Unit 1: Limits and Continuity | 10-12% | 4-7% |
| Unit 2: Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties | 10-12% | 4-7% |
| Unit 3: Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions | 9-13% | 4-7% |
| Unit 4: Contextual Applications of Differentiation | 10-15% | 6-9% |
| Unit 5: Analytical Applications of Differentiation | 15-18% | 8-11% |
| Unit 6: Integration and Accumulation of Change | 17-20% | 17-20% |
| Unit 7: Differential Equations | 6-12% | 6-9% |
| Unit 8: Applications of Integration | 10-15% | 6-9% |
| Unit 9: Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Vector-Valued Functions (BC only) | 11-12% | |
| Unit 10: Infinite Sequences and Series (BC only) | 17-18% |
Tips and Tricks
If it's a skill you're confident in, do the problem first. Often, the College Board includes "good" wrong answers that can lead you in the wrong direction. Don't get distracted by your answer options unless you need to see them to know what you have to do. Remember to trust your gut!
Star problems you struggle with to come back to later. You only have 2-3 minutes per question, so you should get through the test first before you double-check your answers. Make sure to mark a temporary answer on your bubble sheet (e.g. putting a slash through a bubble) so you don't accidentally fill in your answers one space off from where they should be.
If you have time, double-check. Sometimes, there will be a tiny difference between the correct answer and one of the wrong answers. Did you add instead of subtracting? Did you forget a negative? Sometimes, simple algebra mistakes can cost you a question.
Take note of your weaknesses. As you practice multiple choice questions, write down the types of questions you get wrong. Use this information to guide your studying before you take another practice test.
When all else fails, guess. Use your typical guessing strategies (like sticking with the same letter answer any time you guess), and eliminate wrong answers whenever possible. Try not to leave any questions blank, since you won't be penalized for wrong answers. After all, you have at least a 25% chance of guessing right!
Where to Practice
For free AP multiple choice practice, try:
These full-length AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC exams
These sample questions from the College Board
Varsity Tutors' AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC diagnostic tests
For free skill practice, try:
Fiveable's streams and study guides
Khan Academy's AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC courses
If you want more AP-style multiple choice practice, consider buying a prep book. They usually sell for under $20 and have upwards of 3 full-length practice tests. Check out this list of the best prep books [coming soon] for Fiveable's top picks!
Closing Thoughts
If you know the format, use these strategies, and practice until you're confident, you'll rock the multiple choice section of the exam. Good luck! 🎉
Applications of Integration: Applications of integration refer to using integral calculus to solve real-world problems. It involves finding areas, volumes, and accumulated quantities by integrating functions.
Composite Functions: Composite functions are formed by combining two or more functions, where the output of one function becomes the input of another. It's like putting one function inside another to create a new function.
Contextual Applications of Differentiation: Contextual applications of differentiation involve using the concepts of calculus to solve real-world problems. These problems typically require finding rates of change, maximizing or minimizing quantities, or analyzing the behavior of a function in a given context.
Differential Equations: Differential equations are mathematical equations that involve derivatives. They describe how a function changes over time or in relation to other variables.
Differentiation: Differentiation is the process of finding the rate at which a function changes. It involves calculating the derivative of a function to determine its slope at any given point.
Implicit Differentiation: Implicit differentiation is a technique used to differentiate an equation implicitly without explicitly solving for one variable in terms of another.
Infinite Sequences and Series: Infinite sequences are lists of numbers that continue indefinitely, while infinite series are sums of those numbers. They can converge to a finite value or diverge to infinity.
Inverse Functions: Inverse functions are two functions that "undo" each other. When you apply one function and then the inverse function, you get back to where you started.
Limits and Continuity: Limits and continuity are fundamental concepts in calculus that deal with the behavior of functions as they approach certain values or points. Limits describe the value a function approaches as its input gets closer to a particular value, while continuity refers to the absence of any breaks, jumps, or holes in the graph of a function.
Parametric Equations: Parametric equations are a set of equations that express the coordinates of points on a curve or surface in terms of one or more parameters. They allow us to represent complex shapes and motions by breaking them down into simpler components.
Polar Coordinates: Polar coordinates are a two-dimensional coordinate system used to locate points in space using radial distance (r) and angular displacement (θ) from a reference point called the pole.
Vector-valued functions: Vector-valued functions are functions that output vectors instead of scalars. They take in a parameter (usually denoted as t) and produce a vector with multiple components.
3 min read•october 28, 2020
Catherine Liu
Catherine Liu
Multiple Choice Help (MCQ)
Not my favorite color-by-letter. Image Courtesy of Alberto G.
Overview
For many students in AP Calculus, the multiple-choice section is easier than the free-response section. You'll be asked more straightforward skills-based questions, problems typically don't build off of each other, and you have the power to guess. Still, doing well on the multiple-choice requires good test-taking strategies and lots of practice. Here are our tips and tricks to help you do your best in May!
➕Check out this in-depth multiple choice study guide for more info.
Format
Understanding the format of the exam is key to dividing your studying and pacing yourself when doing practice questions.
The multiple-choice section makes up 50% of your score, and you have an hour and 45 minutes to answer 45 questions. This section has 2 parts:
Part A: 60 minutes for 30 non-calculator questions.
Part B: 45 minutes for 15 calculator-required questions.
And here's how often each unit shows up on the test:
Exam Weighting
| Unit | Exam Weighting (AB) | Exam Weighting (BC) |
| Unit 1: Limits and Continuity | 10-12% | 4-7% |
| Unit 2: Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties | 10-12% | 4-7% |
| Unit 3: Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions | 9-13% | 4-7% |
| Unit 4: Contextual Applications of Differentiation | 10-15% | 6-9% |
| Unit 5: Analytical Applications of Differentiation | 15-18% | 8-11% |
| Unit 6: Integration and Accumulation of Change | 17-20% | 17-20% |
| Unit 7: Differential Equations | 6-12% | 6-9% |
| Unit 8: Applications of Integration | 10-15% | 6-9% |
| Unit 9: Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Vector-Valued Functions (BC only) | 11-12% | |
| Unit 10: Infinite Sequences and Series (BC only) | 17-18% |
Tips and Tricks
If it's a skill you're confident in, do the problem first. Often, the College Board includes "good" wrong answers that can lead you in the wrong direction. Don't get distracted by your answer options unless you need to see them to know what you have to do. Remember to trust your gut!
Star problems you struggle with to come back to later. You only have 2-3 minutes per question, so you should get through the test first before you double-check your answers. Make sure to mark a temporary answer on your bubble sheet (e.g. putting a slash through a bubble) so you don't accidentally fill in your answers one space off from where they should be.
If you have time, double-check. Sometimes, there will be a tiny difference between the correct answer and one of the wrong answers. Did you add instead of subtracting? Did you forget a negative? Sometimes, simple algebra mistakes can cost you a question.
Take note of your weaknesses. As you practice multiple choice questions, write down the types of questions you get wrong. Use this information to guide your studying before you take another practice test.
When all else fails, guess. Use your typical guessing strategies (like sticking with the same letter answer any time you guess), and eliminate wrong answers whenever possible. Try not to leave any questions blank, since you won't be penalized for wrong answers. After all, you have at least a 25% chance of guessing right!
Where to Practice
For free AP multiple choice practice, try:
These full-length AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC exams
These sample questions from the College Board
Varsity Tutors' AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC diagnostic tests
For free skill practice, try:
Fiveable's streams and study guides
Khan Academy's AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC courses
If you want more AP-style multiple choice practice, consider buying a prep book. They usually sell for under $20 and have upwards of 3 full-length practice tests. Check out this list of the best prep books [coming soon] for Fiveable's top picks!
Closing Thoughts
If you know the format, use these strategies, and practice until you're confident, you'll rock the multiple choice section of the exam. Good luck! 🎉
Applications of Integration: Applications of integration refer to using integral calculus to solve real-world problems. It involves finding areas, volumes, and accumulated quantities by integrating functions.
Composite Functions: Composite functions are formed by combining two or more functions, where the output of one function becomes the input of another. It's like putting one function inside another to create a new function.
Contextual Applications of Differentiation: Contextual applications of differentiation involve using the concepts of calculus to solve real-world problems. These problems typically require finding rates of change, maximizing or minimizing quantities, or analyzing the behavior of a function in a given context.
Differential Equations: Differential equations are mathematical equations that involve derivatives. They describe how a function changes over time or in relation to other variables.
Differentiation: Differentiation is the process of finding the rate at which a function changes. It involves calculating the derivative of a function to determine its slope at any given point.
Implicit Differentiation: Implicit differentiation is a technique used to differentiate an equation implicitly without explicitly solving for one variable in terms of another.
Infinite Sequences and Series: Infinite sequences are lists of numbers that continue indefinitely, while infinite series are sums of those numbers. They can converge to a finite value or diverge to infinity.
Inverse Functions: Inverse functions are two functions that "undo" each other. When you apply one function and then the inverse function, you get back to where you started.
Limits and Continuity: Limits and continuity are fundamental concepts in calculus that deal with the behavior of functions as they approach certain values or points. Limits describe the value a function approaches as its input gets closer to a particular value, while continuity refers to the absence of any breaks, jumps, or holes in the graph of a function.
Parametric Equations: Parametric equations are a set of equations that express the coordinates of points on a curve or surface in terms of one or more parameters. They allow us to represent complex shapes and motions by breaking them down into simpler components.
Polar Coordinates: Polar coordinates are a two-dimensional coordinate system used to locate points in space using radial distance (r) and angular displacement (θ) from a reference point called the pole.
Vector-valued functions: Vector-valued functions are functions that output vectors instead of scalars. They take in a parameter (usually denoted as t) and produce a vector with multiple components.
