What Do Calculus Problems Look Like
Calculus AP Test – ONE WEEK??
I’m taking the Calculus BC AP test on May 7th. So I have exactly one week for last minute studying. I feel really ill-prepared, because I know how to do everything and I’ve gone through the entire AP book, but I seem to blank every time I look at their problems. I know that the curve is huge, but even with that, I seriously doubt I can get a 5. I’m shooting for a 5 on here, though I’d be okay with a 4, but that’s looking really bad at the moment.
I basically just feel really shaky on concepts and don’t feel like I’ve prepared enough. I’m planning to devote the next week, particularly the weekend, to studying as much as I possibly can. I just wanted to know if anyone knows of the best way to do last minute studying for calc, or has taken an AP exam and knows what to best focus on. This will be my first AP, and the practice tests we’ve taken have really ranged on difficulties, so I’m really not sure what to expect.
I took the AP exam last year…it was difficult, the multiple choice was okay, but the FRQs were very hard…
The best way you can prepare for this AP test is to do multiple choice questions and FRQs from practice, or past, AP exams…
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_questions/8031.html
On the link, you can find practice multiple choice questions, as well as FRQs that were on the AP Calc BC test, in the past couple years. Familiarize yourself with the types of multiple choice questions asked. Do the same for the FRQs…usually, the FRQs have questions that are formatted similarly. Expect there to be questions on rotation of a curve around an axis, inverse functions, definitely a related rates question…
Make sure to review your basic concepts repeatedly, because the faster you can apply these concepts, the better.
Like I said, take practice FRQs so that you understand the types of questions that could be on the AP test, and the format. When you take the test, you can recognize certain types of questions and save time by knowing immediately how to start them. And, if you don’t know a part of a problem at all, don’t leave it blank…write something in, even if you don’t think it’s right.
Good luck!!!
Calculus
