How Many Students Take AP Calculus AB and BC Each Year?
The Advanced Placement (AP) program is a critical component of high school education, particularly in the field of mathematics. Two popular AP courses are AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC. These courses are designed to provide college-level instruction in calculus, with AP Calculus BC offering advanced content beyond AP Calculus AB.
It's important to note that these two exams are offered at the same time, and students can only take one of them, as taking both exams would require significantly more preparation and isn't typically feasible. The AP Calculus BC exam includes a portion of the AB curriculum as well as additional exam questions, leading to a potential AB subscore for BC exam takers.
Exam Scores and Scale
The scoring scale for AP exams ranges from 1 to 5, with no grades higher than a 5 being designated as 'A.' This standard scale is comprehensive, reflecting the performance of students across all areas of the exam, and was established to ensure fairness and provide meaningful information to college admissions boards.
Because of the nature of this scoring system, it is impossible to earn an 'A' on an AP exam, as the top score is a 5. This scoring method ensures that all grades are evaluated consistently and accurately.
Student Participation Trends
While a significant number of students take AP Calculus AB and BC, the attitudes and motivations behind these choices have evolved over the past two decades. Initially, AP courses were significant milestones in a students' academic journey, representing a commitment to advanced education and preparation for college.
However, in recent years, there has been a trend where students take AP courses as a way to boost their high school transcripts and impress college admissions boards, without necessarily preparing for and taking the exams. This shift has led to concerns about the validity of these transcript achievements, as they are often inflated.
Similarly, some high schools provide inflated grades to maintain a favorable academic profile, and teachers and administrators avoid pressure from students or parents by keeping grades high. This practice has diluted the true value of taking AP exams.
Realistic Statistics and Academic Achievement
To accurately measure student achievement in AP Calculus AB and BC, it is crucial that all students taking these courses sit for the corresponding AP exams. When students do not take the exams, the statistics become skewed and do not represent the true level of academic accomplishment.
The number of students taking AP Calculus AB and BC varies each year. Typically, around 200,000 to 300,000 students take the AP Calculus AB exam, while approximately 100,000 to 150,000 take the AP Calculus BC exam. You can find more detailed data and specific years on the official AP Central website, where you can click on the individual courses or years to explore the information further.
By ensuring that all students take the exams, we can gain a more accurate picture of the academic level and performance in these important courses, which can ultimately benefit both the students and the institutions where they apply for college.