AP Calculus BC Exam: 2021 Results

The following data reflect the 124,335 students worldwide who took either the paper or the digital AP Calculus BC Exam prior to June 12.

AP Calculus BC score distributions, 2019 vs. 2021

The following table enables comparisons of student performance in 2021 to student performance on the comparable full-length exam prior to the covid-19 pandemic.

AP Score 2019 2021
5 43% 38%
4 18% 17%
3 20% 20%
2 14% 18%
1 5% 7%

It’s important to honor the work of students who did not qualify for a score of 3+, but who nonetheless developed basic understandings and skills in the course. As a reminder, the most recent research on students who achieve a score of 2 in AP Calculus BC found that they proceed to earn significantly higher grades when taking the course in college than students with the same high school GPA, SAT score, race, and gender. And these outcomes are stronger for AP Calculus BC students who receive a 2 than they are for students receiving 2s in most other AP subjects.

The May 4 In-School Paper Exam

The largest exam date for AP Calculus BC was May 4, so the following information is specific to the exam version administered on that date.

As usual, students scored significantly higher on the multiple-choice section than on the free-response questions.

Multiple-Choice Section