VIDEO: What to Expect on the AP Precalculus Exam
Sarah Stecher
One of the best ways we can prepare our students for the AP Precalculus Exam is by letting them know what to expect on test day. Familiarity with the structure and breakdown of the exam can help students allocate their time efficiently, employ test-taking strategies to maximize their score, and reduce test anxiety.
Download the handout for students to complete while watching the video.
This video is part of the official Math Medic AP Precalculus Review Course. To receive access to more videos, practice problems, and full length practice exams, get a quote.
Students should be prepared to complete multiple choice and free response questions with and without a calculator. The breakdown is as follows:
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Multiple Choice
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Non-calculator – 28 question – 80 minutes
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Calculator – 12 questions – 40 minutes
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Free Response
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Calculator – 2 questions – 30 minutes
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Non-calculator – 2 questions – 30 minutes
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Important Take-aways:
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The AP Precalc Exam covers content from CED Units 1, 2, and 3 only.
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Students will be able to keep working on their two calculator free response questions during the non-calculator FRQ section, but without a calculator! So if they are running short on time and need to finish up a few things, they can. Just make sure to do the parts that require a calculator in the first half hour!
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Not all calculator questions require the use of a calculator.
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The four free response questions are all based on task models, meaning they will have a predictable structure to them with some slight variations from year to year.In upcoming videos we will take a deep dive into each of the four free response task models. Stay tuned!
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.