All examsAP Calculus ABFoundation path
View coverage AP Calculus AB · EXAM GUIDEReviewed 2026-10-26
2026–27 school year / May 2027 exam
AP Calculus AB: Exam Guide, Format & Official Sources
A first calculus course connecting limits, derivatives, integrals and differential equations. Plan registration through your school and use official free-response materials alongside this foundation pilot.
Prepare for the 2027 format
The hybrid digital exam uses Bluebook for multiple choice and viewing free-response prompts; free-response solutions are handwritten. The 2027 multiple-choice timing differs from earlier exams.
- MCQ: 42 questions in 100 minutes; 50% of the score.
- Part A: 29 questions / 62 minutes / no calculator. Part B: 13 questions / 38 minutes / graphing calculator required.
- Free response: 6 questions in 90 minutes; 50% of the score.
- Part A: 2 questions / 30 minutes / graphing calculator required. Part B: 4 questions / 60 minutes / no calculator.
Use this pilot with official practice
Study the explanation, solve without viewing the answer, then write a complete justification. A correct numeric response here does not demonstrate every skill evaluated by the official rubric.
- Check hypotheses before applying a theorem.
- State units and explain the meaning of a result.
- Practise handwritten multi-part solutions with official scoring guidelines.
The syllabus and your next lesson.
1 · Limits and continuity
- Limits from expressions and representations
- Continuity and the intermediate value theorem
2 · Differentiation: definition and basic rules
- Derivative meaning and definition
- Power and basic derivative rules
3 · Composite, implicit and inverse functions
- Chain, product and quotient rules
- Implicit and inverse differentiation
4 · Contextual applications of differentiation
- Motion and related rates
- Local linearity
5 · Analytical applications of differentiation
- Derivative tests and extrema
- Mean value theorem and optimization
6 · Integration and accumulation of change
- Riemann sums and antiderivatives
- Fundamental theorem and accumulation functions
7 · Differential equations
- Slope fields and separable differential equations
- Initial-value and growth models
8 · Applications of integration
- Area, average value and accumulated change
- Volumes by cross sections and revolution
Linked lessons cover selected foundations. Use the official syllabus to plan any topics beyond this pilot.
Dates and scheduling
Regular May 2027 exam
Monday, May 10, 2027 · Session 1. Confirm arrival time with your testing school.
Fees and regional differences
2027 standard fee
US$99 at schools in the U.S., U.S. territories, Canada and DoWEA schools.
2027 international fee
US$129 elsewhere; authorized test-center charges and school administration fees may differ.
Financial assistance
Eligible students may receive a US$37 College Board fee reduction; ask the coordinator about local support and charges.
Book with the exam provider.
- 01
Contact the school coordinator
Arrange an AP class section or an exam-only section with the school administering your exam. If studying independently, confirm availability before assuming a place.
- 02
Join through My AP
Sign in to My AP and use the join code supplied by the teacher or coordinator. Complete registration information and any required indication of exam intent.
- 03
Confirm the order and payment
Check the school deadline, exam order, payment instructions and testing arrangements directly with the coordinator. School registration and payment procedures can differ.
Slope does not accept exam registrations or payments.
Make a final check.
0 of 3 checked · for this visit
Official resources.
Course framework, description and official resources.
Current exam structure, digital practice and links to released free-response questions and scoring information.
Join a school-provided class or exam-only section.
Read an additional explanation of the fundamental theorem.
Foundation pilot: 400 parameterized original questions across 96 task families, not 400 independently designed scenarios.
54 original written extensions use self-assessment criteria; they are not official AP tasks or rubric scores.
Coverage remains partial: sustained calculator investigations, comprehensive slope-field interpretation and every official subtopic require additional study.
Difficulty is editorial and uncalibrated. Independent educator review and learner testing remain pending.
Exam names belong to their respective owners. Slope is an independent learning project.
PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP
A clear route through the material
Use this guide to understand the stated exam scope and find the exam provider’s current information. Check the official source before relying on changing registration, format or eligibility details.
Continue your preparation
Scope: Calculus AB foundation practice