Be Prepared for the AP Calculus Exam

Let me preface this by saying that I took the AP calculus test in the mid 1980's and now have helped my daughter with a self-study course on calculus in preparation for the 2007 test. After going through a total of 4 study guides, 2 textbooks, and the last 7 years of available free response questions from the actual AP test, I found this guide to be one of the best AP calculus preparation books. The AP calculus (AB or BC) has become considerably harder in the last 4 years. Most other books seem to have been developed for the test as administered in the 1990's. In order to pass, not only do you need to know your calculus - it is also mandatory that you know how to use your calculator in order to solve calculus problems. Most other books, completely ignore this point (see my other reviews). Rather than focusing on techniques of integration (which was a big deal for the earlier test in which calculators either weren't allowed or weren't capable), the emphasis has switched to integration via the calculator. This book addresses the issue clearly. One last point of advice is that this book does stress the concepts that are in turn stressed on the current tests - fundamental theorem of calculus, average value of a function by integration, and problems that depend on interpreting graphs and data points. When chosing a book, keep in mind that the test is no longer a simple can you integrate and take a derivative by hand type of exam. If you can solve the problems in this book, you indeed will be prepared for the AP test.

I purchased a copy based on the AP Central review and I am not disappointed. Just as that review says, the book covers all of the AB and BC material very thoroughly and clearly, and the practice exams are right on target with multiple-choice and free-response questions similar to the actual exam questions, but often more original. This book will greatly help my students for this year's exam, and especially next year -- I am going to use it throughout the year.

I am a college math tutor and have been using "be prepared" this semester for my tutoring sessions. I find the explanations to be very clear and my students understand them better than their text book. The examples in the book go through many typical questions with detailed step by step explanations. I took the AP a few years ago and i wish i had a book this good. I would have had a much easier time studying for the exam. I can also add that the practice exams are crucial for doing well on the AP. (TIP: write your answers on a seperate page so you can retake the practice exams to measure your improvment!)

I'm taking AP Calc right now and am planning to take the AP exam this year. The Be Prepared book gives a great overview of all the topics we're covering in class, with clear explanations and examples. I'm going for a 5 on the exam, and I strongly recommend this book to anyone else who will be taking the AP Calc exam too.

I am really glad that I found this book in time! It goes over all the AP Calculus topics in detail with easy-to-understand explanations. In my case, I am doing well in my Calculus class but was looking for a comprehensive review book to go over everything and make sure that I'm ready for the exam -- and this book is exactly what I was hoping to find!