How AP Calculus BC Scoring Works
The AP Calculus BC exam is scored using a composite score system that combines your performance on both the multiple choice and free response sections. Understanding how this works can help you strategize your studying and test-taking approach.
Section I: Multiple Choice
The multiple choice section contains 45 questions split into two parts:
- Part A (30 questions, 60 minutes): No calculator allowed
- Part B (15 questions, 45 minutes): Graphing calculator required
- Each correct answer earns 1 raw point (no penalty for wrong answers)
- Raw score is multiplied by 1.2 to get weighted score (max 54 points)
Section II: Free Response
The free response section contains 6 questions split into two parts:
- Part A (2 questions, 30 minutes): Graphing calculator required
- Part B (4 questions, 60 minutes): No calculator allowed
- Each question is worth 9 points for a maximum of 54 points
- Partial credit is awarded for partially correct solutions
Composite Score Calculation
Composite Score = (MC Correct x 1.2) + FRQ PointsMaximum composite score: (45 x 1.2) + 54 = 54 + 54 = 108 points
Pro Tip: Since there is no penalty for wrong answers, always attempt every multiple choice question. An educated guess is better than leaving a question blank.
Understanding the AB Subscore
One unique feature of the AP Calculus BC exam is the AB subscore. This score is calculated from questions that cover Calculus AB material and can be valuable for college credit purposes.
What is the AB Subscore?
The AB subscore represents your performance on the subset of BC exam questions that cover Calculus AB content. It is reported separately from your BC score on your score report.
Why Does it Matter?
- Some colleges give credit for Calculus I based on your AB subscore
- If your BC score is low but AB subscore is high, you may still earn credit
- Demonstrates mastery of fundamental calculus concepts
- Useful for placement decisions even if you do not earn BC credit
AB Subscore Calculation
- Multiple Choice: ~27 questions from the BC exam that cover AB topics
- Free Response: 4 questions (or portions) that cover AB material
- Weighted and scaled to produce a separate 1-5 score
BC-Only Topics (Not on AB Subscore)
The following topics appear only on BC and are not included in the AB subscore calculation:
- Parametric equations, polar coordinates, and vector-valued functions
- Euler method for differential equations
- Logistic growth models
- Improper integrals
- Integration by parts and partial fractions
- Taylor series, Maclaurin series, and power series
- Convergence tests for series
Strategy Tip: If you are stronger in AB content than BC-only topics, focus on mastering the AB material first. A strong AB subscore can still earn you college credit even if you struggle with series and parametric functions.
Historical Score Cutoffs
The College Board sets cut scores each year based on exam difficulty and student performance. While exact cutoffs are not published, analysis of released data provides approximate ranges.
Approximate BC Score Ranges
| AP Score | Composite Range | Percentage | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 68-108 | ~63%+ | Extremely Well Qualified |
| 4 | 58-67 | ~54-62% | Well Qualified |
| 3 | 42-57 | ~39-53% | Qualified |
| 2 | 27-41 | ~25-38% | Possibly Qualified |
| 1 | 0-26 | ~0-24% | No Recommendation |
Score Distribution Statistics
Based on recent years, the score distribution for AP Calculus BC is typically:
- Score of 5: ~40-45% of test-takers
- Score of 4: ~15-18% of test-takers
- Score of 3: ~17-20% of test-takers
- Score of 2: ~5-8% of test-takers
- Score of 1: ~12-16% of test-takers
Note: These cutoffs are estimates based on historical data. Actual cutoffs vary each year based on exam difficulty and are determined through an equating process by the College Board.
How We Calculate Your Score
Our calculator uses the official AP scoring methodology combined with historical cut score data to predict your AP score accurately.
Calculation Steps
1. Multiple Choice Score
MC Weighted Score = MC Correct x 1.2Example: 35 correct x 1.2 = 42 points
2. Free Response Score
FRQ Score = Sum of all FRQ points (0-54)Each of 6 questions is worth 9 points maximum
3. Composite Score
Composite = MC Weighted + FRQ PointsExample: 42 + 36 = 78 composite points out of 108
4. AP Score Conversion
Composite score is compared to cut score ranges to determine your 1-5 AP score. A composite of 78 would typically yield a score of 5.
AB Subscore Calculation
The AB subscore uses a similar process but only counts AB-level content:
- ~27 multiple choice questions covering AB topics (weighted at 1.0)
- 4 free response questions (or portions) covering AB content
- Scaled to produce a separate 1-5 subscore
Accuracy Note: Our predictions are based on historical data and typical cut scores. Actual AP scores may vary slightly due to annual adjustments made by the College Board based on exam difficulty.