AP Examination

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All students taking the AP Calculus course are required to take the AP Calculus Examination in May.  The cost of the examination is approximately $90, payable to DCCS.  It is a 3 hour and 15 minute examination composed of both multiple choice questions and questions that require written answers.  The College Board sponsors two different calculus examinations:  Calculus AB and Calculus BC.  The content covered in the Calculus AB Examination corresponds to a one-semester college course.  The content covered in the Calculus BC Examination corresponds to a two-semester college course.  Students in the AP Calculus AB class at DCCS take the Calculus AB Examination.  Students in the AP Calculus BC class at DCCS take the Calculus BC Examination.

Both examinations are scored on a scale of 1 to 5.  A score of 3 or above is considered a passing score.  Colleges vary in their policies for giving college credit based upon AP scores.  Previous students have received anywhere from 3 to 8 college credits for a passing score.  Course grades earned at DCCS correspond approximately to AP scores as follows.  A student earning an A in the course will normally receive a score of 5 on the AP Examination.  A student earning a B in the course will normally receive a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Examination.  A student earning a C in the course will normally receive a score of 3 on the AP Examination.

The AP Examination requires the use of a graphing calculator.  The TI-89 calculator that DCCS requires its students to buy is allowed on the examination.

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