Students passionate about math enroll in AP Calculus BC courses to improve their mathematical skills and get better at calculation and arithmetic operations. The exam has a reasonably high success rate among other tests, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. A 3 score is considered satisfactory, but if you will use it for your college application, aim for a 5.
The number of students taking AP calculus tests has been on the rise recently. In 2019, approximately 2.8 million students enrolled in the program, of which 440,000 took AP calculus tests. The Advanced Placement Calculus is available in two test formats, i.e. AB and BC. The former covers the basic topics for beginners, such as integrals, limits, and derivatives, while the BC is for experienced students that want an in-depth course on calculus.
Are you also considering this mathematical test? Whether you are self-studying for the exam or joining the online courses on Udemy or Wiingy, expert tutors believe there are certain preparation tips that can help each student pass this test easily. We have discussed a few tips below.
A Brief on the AP Calculus BC Exam
The AP Calculus BC course is similar to the AB course. It focuses on the same concepts but with detailed versions. The main topics covered in the BC course include integrals, approximation, application, series, sequence, modeling, and more. What sets it apart from other mathematical courses is its focus on the multi-dimensional learning approach.
Put it in other words, the AP Calculus BC course is all about expressing concepts in numerical, graphical, analytical, and verbal ways. AP Calculus BC uses technology to implement different experiments, prove written work and improve the interpretation skills of students. The entire course is divided into segments, which assess your understanding of AP calculus. They include:
- Mathematical Practice: This covers the four essential skills that a student applying for the AP calculus test must possess and master in order to pass the BC test. This includes identifying the mathematical expressions and values, connecting representations, reasoning, and communicating the results through accurate notation.
- Big Ideas: Another essential part of the AP Calculus BC test is the big ideas, which are further classified into three different categories. It demonstrates your basic understanding of calculus. It consists of three core components—change, limits, and function analysis.
Mastering these two vital segments of AP calculus will help you score better in the BC exam. You are allowed to use the graphing calculator for the free-response, as well as, the multiple-choice section. This device can be used for plotting the graph and calculating derivatives, integrals, and zeros of the function.
Course Content
As mentioned earlier, AP Calculus BC is an upgraded test for those who have pursued an AB test before and want to increase their knowledge of derivatives, integrals, and other calculus concepts. Note that AP calculus is a challenging course for those with little knowledge of maths. You need at least four years of experience in tricky mathematical subjects, like algebra, trigonometry, and geometry.
In addition to that, since the course teaches the advanced and detailed versions of the AP calculus as compared to the AB counterpart, the fundamental knowledge of sequence and series can help.
Having a graphing calculator for the entire duration of the AP calculus program is highly recommended for every student, whether you are pursuing a self-study course or enrolling in 1-on-1 tutoring offered by Wiingy. Before you register for the exams, note that you can’t take the AP calculus AB and BC tests in the same year. Both may have the same concepts, but the BC requires a lot of experience and advanced knowledge of mathematical subjects.
AP Calculus BC Exam Pattern
The exam is divided into sections—free-response and multiple-choice questions. For multi-choice questions, you get 1 hour and 45 minutes. It consists of 45 questions. It’s further divided into two sections, the first consisting of 30 questions. For the last 15, you are allowed to use a graphing calculator.
Section 2 accounts for 50% of the test marks. It consists of 6 questions and allows 1 hour and 30 minutes for you to solve. Fortunately, most students appearing for the AP Calculus BC exam do quite well on the test, probably because of its strict requirements regarding eligibility. Note that the minimum passing score for the test is 3, but each school or university has different credit requirements for this test. It’s best to aim for 5.
Wiingy: Your One-stop Destination for Calculus Course
Even though the BC course for AP calculus is fairly easy for those who have finished the AB program, it’s still not that easy to crack. If you want the best score, it’s advisable to enroll in online classes to learn the basics and advanced lessons effortlessly. Wiingy, for instance, is a one-stop destination for students of all ages and experience levels to find the most suitable AP calculus BC tutor online.
The tutors charge a flat $22/hour fee for online tutoring. It’s much better, cost-effective, and a great option for students with little to no knowledge of calculus BC. The tutors offer 1-on-1 training sessions. These tutors are verified and have several years of experience training students in this field.
Using a commercial study guide in addition to these online training sessions is an ideal way to prepare for the AP Calculus BC test. Other than that, you can check the sample tests from the previous year to get a better understanding of the core subjects and exam patterns.
Bottom Line
That was all about the AP calculus BC tutors. You can find the courses online or consider self-study if you have the fundamental knowledge of the subject. The preparation for AP Calculus BC is similar to other tests. Apart from the skills and knowledge, you can try the previous year’s sample paper, reach out to the students who have passed this test, and get commercial guides. Find the right tutor for the course on Wiingy and you are good to go!
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