AP Calulus AB exam - % of points to get a 5?

[zippy]

Hey, I'm taking the make-up AP Calculus AB exam today and I'm just wondering approximately what percentage of points must you get for a 5? How about a 4?

I have heard that for some exams it's quite low - 65% on Physics AB, Chem, etc. However, apparently some are higher like Bio (85% I've heard).

So anyway, have any of you heard approximately what you need to get to get a 5? My teacher probably told us...but I was probably out sick with mono (we did a lot of review while I was out sick - damn it).

Thanks.

 

[Deeko]

I'd say pretty low.

Hey, question for you. I never took the AP test for calc, and I'm finishing up my freshman year in Calc III...how far does the AB test cover?

 

[zippy]

I'm sure it's low...but how low?

Course outline
Course description

I'm kinda in that gray area of AP tests where generally it would be good for a 5 but sometimes tests require a higher score. So I dunno.

 

[Deeko]

series....*shudder* just took a midterm on that stuff. We don't get to use your fancy calculuators, either. Did you guys do anything with Power Series and intervals of convergance? That's definitely a problem I fvcked up. Didn't see it in the course outline.

As for the score...I'd say 65 or 70...

 

[nater]

yeah I sucked bad on the AP test this year. I have to take my actual final today *shudders*

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: Deeko
series....*shudder* just took a midterm on that stuff. We don't get to use your fancy calculuators, either. Did you guys do anything with Power Series and intervals of convergance? That's definitely a problem I fvcked up. Didn't see it in the course outline.

As for the score...I'd say 65 or 70...

Nope, we don't do that in AB.

Yeah, I'm thinking probably around there too. I'm on the bubble...getting a little over 70%.

 

[Ynog]

College Board

Check this web site. The required score changes year to year.
I took the exam when I was in high school. I got a 5 but then
again I thought the exam was a piece of cake.

 

[Jzero]

The scores are based on how everyone does.

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: Jzero
The scores are based on how everyone does.

I know. But from year to year, the distribution of points earned doesn't shift too much. So the average % of points to get certain scores won't change by more than probably 5% from year to year - the college board is pretty good at keeping the questions at a consistent level of difficulty and, nationwide, there is probably no improvement or worsening of teaching the course.

 

[ElFenix]

do you need a 5 to get full credit where you're going to school?

i got a 4 and got A credit for the first semester calculus class at UT

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: Deeko
I'd say pretty low.

Hey, question for you. I never took the AP test for calc, and I'm finishing up my freshman year in Calc III...how far does the AB test cover?

Up to shell and disk methods.

Josh

 

[zippy]

Actually, I just talked to someone that goes to college where I'm going next year (Cornell) and I get the same amount of credit for a 4 as I do for a 5...I also get to skip 1 semester of calc if I get a 4 or 5. So I'm in okay shape.

I'd still like a 5 though.

 

[HokieESM]

It does depend on year-to-year variations.... for the AB exam, its roughly 80% for a 5, usually. That's what the test-makers shoot for (my advisor for undergrad used to help write the exams and grade them). The BC Calc exam and the Physics exams usually have some of the lowest scores, despite them still shooting for 80% being a 5.

One recommendation, though: if you DON'T feel absolutely confident in your knowledge of the subject material and you're going into a math/science related field, retake calc in college. It'll be an easy A, and you'll shore up any weak points you've had. That said, if you make a 5, you're probably fine--so skip it and on to calc 2!

Good luck on your exam!

 

[zippy]

Thanks.

Yeah, I took the exam. I got tripped up a little on one of the section 2, part B problems - but other than that I was pretty confident. I'm 99.999% sure I got at least a 4 - I would be shocked if I got a 3. And I think I have a shot at a 5.