Is AP Calculus Hard?: A Teacher’s Perspective

As a teacher, the first question that most students ask me when choosing a course is: “Is it hard?” Math, especially calculus, unfortunately does have a reputation for being a difficult subject. 

If you were to look at an AP Calculus exam paper before studying it, it certainly would look pretty difficult! However, just like any new skill, hobby, or academic subject, you will find success through structured learning and practice. But it will take time, effort, and a positive attitude.

In this article, you’ll learn why some students find AP Calculus hard. You’ll also find some top tips to help make your journey through the subject more manageable, rewarding, and even enjoyable!

So, Is AP Calculus Hard?

AP Calculus can be a tricky course without the right preparation and approach. It covers mathematical concepts with depth and rigor. This may cause problems if you don’t fix any issues with your understanding before moving on. There can be a lot to remember, too. For this reason, it is important to practice regularly, and use well-structured and exam-aligned resources for your studies.

What Makes AP Calculus Difficult?

Prerequisite knowledge: algebra & trigonometry

AP Calculus builds on a foundation of algebra, functions, geometry, and trigonometry. If you’re unsure about these fundamentals, you’ll find the advanced topics even more challenging.

From my own teaching experience, I know that students who are the most comfortable with the prerequisites tend to pick up the new material much more easily. This is because they can engage with the new content fully. They don’t have to worry too much about how to solve, say, a trigonometric equation, as they are already able to do that easily. 

Topics are sequential and rely on each other

Studying for AP Calculus can be a bit like building a tower. You first need to make sure the foundations are secure, and after that each floor needs to be as strong as it can be before moving on to the floors above it. If there is a section that is a bit shaky, then the next layer may come crashing down, or at least won’t be as safe as it could be.

For example in AP Calculus, if you don’t have a secure understanding of the early topics such as limits or the basics of differentiation, then the later topics about the more nuanced applications of differentiation will be far trickier. This means it is essential to identify gaps in your understanding quickly before they potentially trip you up later on.

There are a lot of formulas

Whilst AP Calculus certainly has a focus on understanding the concepts, there are still a lot of formulas to know. Many of these you will already know from previous study in pre-calc or geometry, but there are also many new formulas. Some students find a “cheat-sheet”, with a summarized list of the key formulas, helpful for their studying. 

The bottom line, however, is that practice makes perfect. The more practice you do, and the more you use these formulas and results in context, the better they will stick in your memory.

Problem solving

Many students I speak to feel the hardest problem they face with exam questions is simply “how do I know what to do?” or “which bit of math should I be using here?”

This is a very common problem.It (opens in a new tab) can only really be solved by having a deep understanding of the topics, revisiting them regularly, and doing plenty of exam practice with helpful model answers.

How to Overcome the Challenges of AP Calculus

Master the prerequisites 

Review and practice the essential skills. Make sure you’re comfortable manipulating algebraic expressions, factorizing, and solving equations (especially polynomials!). Make sure you revisit trigonometric identities and their applications, as well as exponentials and logarithms. These topics are often key to solving more complex calculus questions.

In the past, I have found that some students like to create a “cheat sheet” to have on hand. It is a single sheet you can use for reference when studying. It could include standard trigonometric identities and the rules for exponents and logarithms, for example.

Identify weaknesses or gaps. If a certain prerequisite skill keeps tripping you up, like using logarithms, spend time practicing short, targeted exercises until you’re confident.

In my experience teaching students and marking their tests, students commonly lose points on calculus problems because of algebra slip-ups or trigonometry mix-ups. Ensuring you have a rock-solid base is the fastest route to success in AP Calculus.

Study in a structured order

As detailed earlier, the topics in AP Calculus rely on each other and are deeply connected. This means you should set up a structured order in which to work through the topics, addressing any weaknesses or gaps in your knowledge before moving on to the next topic.

You can use our collection of exam style questions to help you master each topic in order before you move on. Once you feel you have mastered each topic individually, start practicing full papers. This will ensure you are seeing a mixture of topics, and practicing the skill of identifying “which bit of calculus do I need here?”

Practice using our exam aligned resources

Our resources for AP Calculus at Save My Exams are 100% exam-aligned. This means our study guides contain everything you need to know, and nothing you don't. You can make the most efficient use of your time, and increase your confidence. 

Our exam style questions are created to be as similar to the exam as possible, so you know that time spent practicing will correlate to improved performance in the exam. Our resources contain both free response questions, and multiple choice questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is it to get a 5 in AP Calculus?

The top grade in AP Calculus is a 5, and as outlined in this article, there are many reasons why achieving the top grade in AP Calculus isn’t easy. The tables below summarize the proportion of students achieving each grade in AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC, in 2024 and 2023.

Source: 2024 AP Score Distributions – AP Students | College Board (opens in a new tab) 

How should I study for AP Calculus?

For further tips about how you should study for AP Calculus, please read my article “How to Study for AP Calculus: Tactics That Work”. These include:

• Master the prerequisites first

• Understand the exam and course structure

• Use active recall

• Practice with exam specific questions

• Identify your weaknesses and work on them

• Learn to use your calculator effectively

Which topics are included in AP Calculus?

For a full list and explanation of which topics are included in AP Calculus, please read my article “AP Calculus Units: Full List, Explained”. The 10 units included in AP Calculus BC are:

Unit 1: Limits and Continuity

Unit 2: Differentiation: Definition and Basic Derivative Rules

Unit 3: Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions

Unit 4: Contextual Applications of Differentiation

Unit 5: Applying Derivatives to Analyze Functions

Unit 6: Integration & Accumulation of Change

Unit 7: Differential Equations

Unit 8: Applications of Integration

Unit 9: Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates & Vector-Valued Functions (BC Only)

Unit 10: Infinite Sequences & Series (BC Only)

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Created by teachers and examiners who know exactly what you need to revise to achieve the best grades, our resources help students to save time and get straight to the content they need. 

Explore Our AP Calculus Revision Resources

References

AP Score Distributions, College Board (opens in a new tab)