Commonly Seen Free Response Questions on the AP Calc Exam
Sarah Stecher
While the AP Calc Exam presents students with new, unique free response questions every year, looking at previous exams reveals some problem structures that are used repeatedly. For example, particle motion questions seem to show up almost every year, as does a graph analysis question. (Unfortunately the infamous rate-in/rate-out question has gone out of fashion the last few years.) While we can’t predict perfectly what kinds of problems will appear on the exam, getting students familiar with some commonly seen FRQ structures will go a long way toward preparing students for exam day.
In this video, we present six of the most commonly seen free response question structures and tips on how to tackle each one.
This video is part of the official Math Medic AP Calculus Review Course. To receive access to more videos, practice problems, and full length practice exams, get a quote.
Download the handout for students to complete while watching the video.
Now it’s time to practice! Below we’ve compiled a list of previously released FRQs that demonstrate each of these problem types. You can use these in class or assign them for homework, with students working individually, with partners, or in small groups.
You can now search for these FRQs in the Math Medic AP Calc FRQ Search Tool.
About the Author
Sarah Stecher
Sarah is our “content creator” in every sense of the term. In addition to designing lessons, Sarah writes blog posts, develops resources, and leads Math Medic workshops for schools and districts. She’s also our go-to for AP Calc and Precalc questions from teachers, since that’s what she was teaching before she joined the team. Along with Lindsey and Luke, Sarah was a high school teacher who taught 150+ students every year at East Kentwood High School.