Exam format to teach from day 1
| Section | What | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Sec I: 45 MCQ, 105 min | Part A 30 non-calc, Part B 15 calc-active | 50% |
| Sec II: 6 FRQ, 90 min | 2 calc-active, 4 non-calc. At least 1 Series (Unit 10) + 1 Parametric/Polar (Unit 9) | 50% |
Target: 5 ≈ 65–70%, 4 ≈ 55%. BC includes an AB subscore — lock AB (Units 1–8) first, then win on Series.
Month-by-month plan (Units 1–10 + review)
Oct: Unit 1 Limits & Continuity
Defining limits, estimating from graphs/tables, one-sided limits, continuity, infinite limits, squeeze theorem.
Pre-work: precalculus diagnostic. Exit: Unit 1 test.
Nov: Units 2–3 Differentiation
Average/instantaneous rates, derivative definition, power/sin/cos/eˣ/ln, product/quotient, chain, implicit, inverse functions.
Exit: derivative speed drill.
Dec: Units 4–5 Applications
Related rates, motion, linearization / MVT, EVT, 1st/2nd derivative tests, concavity, optimization.
Exit: half-length AB diagnostic.
Jan: Unit 6 Integration
Riemann sums, summation notation, FTC + chain rule, antiderivatives, u-substitution, area formulas, definite properties + BC: by-parts, partial fractions, improper integrals.
Exit: Unit 6 test + accumulation FRQ.
Feb: Units 7–8–9 ODE + Apps + Vector
Slope fields, separable equations, exponential/logistic models, Euler / area, volumes, cross-sections, arc length / parametric + 2nd derivatives, vector differentiation, planar motion, polar derivatives + area.
Exit: full AB mock.
Mar: Unit 10 Infinite Series (17–18%)
Sequences, partial sums, geometric series, nth-term test, integral test, p-series, comparison, limit comparison, alternating series, ratio test, absolute/conditional convergence, alternating remainder, Taylor/Maclaurin polynomials, Lagrange error bound, interval of convergence, differentiating/integrating series.
Exit: 1 series FRQ/week.
Apr: Solved-Exams Sprint
Guided walkthroughs of 2017, 2015, 2011, 2008 BC free-response (tangent line, concavity reasoning, ODE solutions, area/volume). Plus 2022–2024 released full exams.
Exit: 2–3 timed full BCs.
How to use this site in class
- Each month page lists lessons in teaching order. Lesson flow: short concept intro (10 min) → guided practice → 15-min MCQ drill.
- Checklists save in browser (localStorage). Require unit quiz ≥80% before month mock.
- 1 FRQ every 2 weeks Oct–Jan, weekly Feb–Apr. Time them from March.
- Mocks: Dec (AB half), Feb (AB full), Mar (BC), Apr (2× BC full).
- Post syllabus + calculator policy (TI-84 / Nspire, RADIAN mode) in classroom
- Assign precalculus readiness diagnostic for Oct W1 (functions, trig, exp/log)
- Enroll students in AP Classroom + assign Unit 1 Progress Check
- Schedule monthly mock dates now through April
College Board units → month map
| Unit | Month | BC-only? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Limits and continuity | Oct | — |
| 2 Differentiation: definition + basic rules | Nov | — |
| 3 Composite, implicit, inverse functions | Nov | + L'Hôpital |
| 4 Contextual applications of differentiation | Dec | — |
| 5 Analyzing functions | Dec | — |
| 6 Integration + accumulation of change | Jan | + by-parts, partial fractions, improper |
| 7 Differential equations | Feb | + logistic, Euler |
| 8 Applications of integration | Feb | + arc length |
| 9 Parametric, polar, vector-valued functions | Feb | BC only |
| 10 Infinite sequences + series | Mar | BC only, heaviest |
| Solved exams (2017/2015/2011/2008) | Apr | review engine |
| Course framework + AP.CALC standards | reference | teacher planning |