# AP Calculus AB tutor: live classes, unit by unit

Source: https://tutix.ai/programs/ap-calculus-ab  
Updated: 2026-10-21

**The short answer.** AP Calculus AB on Tutix is a ready-made series of live classes with an AI tutor. It covers all 8 units and 81 topics, in five levels from 5 hours to the full 64.5. It ends with 2 full practice papers (48 questions each). You can start on the free plan.

- Follows the College Board AP course description
- 8 units and 81 topics, taught in 15-minute lessons
- Five levels, 5 to 64.5 hours of teaching
- 2 full practice papers, 96 marks each
- Starts on the free plan (45 live minutes a month)

## What AP Calculus AB covers

The program develops calculus understanding through limits, derivatives, integrals, and differential equations. It applies these ideas to analyze functions, model change, and solve geometric and contextual problems.

AP Calculus AB is a College Board course for high school students. It builds from limits and continuity to derivatives, their applications, integrals and the accumulation of change, differential equations and applications of integration.

### Unit 1: Limits and Continuity (10–15%)

Topics: Introducing Calculus: Can Change Occur at an Instant?; Defining Limits and Using Limit Notation; Estimating Limit Values from Graphs; Estimating Limit Values from Tables; Determining Limits Using Algebraic Properties of Limits; Determining Limits Using Algebraic Manipulation; Selecting Procedures for Determining Limits; Determining Limits Using the Squeeze Theorem; Connecting Multiple Representations of Limits; Exploring Types of Discontinuities; Defining Continuity at a Point; Confirming Continuity over an Interval; Removing Discontinuities; Connecting Infinite Limits and Vertical Asymptotes; Connecting Limits at Infinity and Horizontal Asymptotes; Working with the Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT).

### Unit 2: Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties (10–15%)

Topics: Defining Average and Instantaneous Rates of Change at a Point; Defining the Derivative of a Function and Using Derivative Notation; Estimating Derivatives of a Function at a Point; Connecting Differentiability and Continuity: Determining When Derivatives Do and Do Not Exist; Applying the Power Rule; Derivative Rules: Constant, Sum, Difference, and Constant Multiple; Derivatives of cos x, sin x, ex, and ln x; The Product Rule; The Quotient Rule; Finding the Derivatives of Tangent, Cotangent, Secant, and/or Cosecant Functions.

### Unit 3: Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions (5–10%)

Topics: The Chain Rule; Implicit Differentiation; Differentiating Inverse Functions; Differentiating Inverse Trigonometric Functions; Selecting Procedures for Calculating Derivatives; Calculating Higher - Order Derivatives.

### Unit 4: Contextual Applications of Differentiation (10–15%)

Topics: Interpreting the Meaning of the Derivative in Context; Straight-Line Motion: Connecting Position, Velocity, and Acceleration; Rates of Change in Applied Contexts Other Than Motion; Introduction to Related Rates; Solving Related Rates Problems; Approximating Values of a Function Using Local Linearity and Linearization; Using L’Hospital’s Rule for Determining Limits of Indeterminate Forms.

### Unit 5: Analytical Applications of Differentiation (15–20%)

Topics: Using the Mean Value Theorem; Extreme Value Theorem, Global Versus Local Extrema, and Critical Points; Determining Intervals on Which a Function Is Increasing or Decreasing; Using the First Derivative Test to Determine Relative (Local) Extrema; Using the Candidates Test to Determine Absolute (Global) Extrema; Determining Concavity of Functions over Their Domains; Using the Second Derivative Test to Determine Extrema; Sketching Graphs of Functions and Their Derivatives; Connecting a Function, Its First Derivative, and Its Second Derivative; Introduction to Optimization Problems; Solving Optimization Problems; Exploring Behaviors of Implicit Relations.

### Unit 6: Integration and Accumulation of Change (15–20%)

Topics: Exploring Accumulations of Change; Approximating Areas with Riemann Sums; Riemann Sums, Summation Notation, and Definite Integral Notation; The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and Accumulation Functions; Interpreting the Behavior of Accumulation Functions Involving Area; Applying Properties of Definite Integrals; The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and Definite Integrals; Finding Antiderivatives and Indefinite Integrals: Basic Rules and Notation; Integrating Using Substitution; Integrating Functions Using Long Division and Completing the Square; Selecting Techniques for Antidifferentiation.

### Unit 7: Differential Equations (5–10%)

Topics: Modeling Situations with Differential Equations; Verifying Solutions for Differential Equations; Sketching Slope Fields; Reasoning Using Slope Fields; Finding General Solutions Using Separation of Variables; Finding Particular Solutions Using Initial Conditions and Separation of Variables; Exponential Models with Differential Equations.

### Unit 8: Applications of Integration (10–15%)

Topics: Finding the Average Value of a Function on an Interval; Connecting Position, Velocity, and Acceleration of Functions Using Integrals; Using Accumulation Functions and Definite Integrals in Applied Contexts; Finding the Area Between Curves Expressed as Functions of x; Finding the Area Between Curves Expressed as Functions of y; Finding the Area Between Curves That Intersect at More Than Two Points; Volumes with Cross Sections: Squares and Rectangles; Volumes with Cross Sections: Triangles and Semicircles; Volume with Disc Method: Revolving Around the x- or y-Axis; Volume with Disc Method: Revolving Around Other Axes; Volume with Washer Method: Revolving Around the x- or y-Axis; Volume with Washer Method: Revolving Around Other Axes.

## A class in AP Calculus AB, opened

Every class works like this. The tutor asks, you answer in your own words, and it reads what you wrote while you are still in the room, then tells you what is missing and asks you to try again.

A class, opened. A sample written to show how a class sounds (not a real learner); the scores show how the exam would credit each answer.

> **Unit 2 · The product rule.** Question: Differentiate y = x^2 sin x.
> The student wrote: y′ = 2x cos x (the exam would credit 1 of 2)
> The tutor: Each derivative is right, but you multiplied them. A product needs both orders: the first times the derivative of the second, plus the second times the derivative of the first.
> The student then wrote: y′ = 2x sin x + x^2 cos x (the exam would credit 2 of 2)

## How the AP Calculus AB exam is built

The 2027 exam is on Monday, May 10, in the morning session. It has two sections worth half of the score each: 42 multiple-choice questions in 100 minutes and 6 free-response questions in 90 minutes. At least 2 of the free-response questions use a real-world context, and a graphing calculator is required for part of each section.

| Exam section | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Multiple choice, no calculator | 29 questions · 62 min · 35% of the score; No calculator |
| Multiple choice, calculator | 13 questions · 38 min · 15% of the score; Calculator |
| Free response, calculator | 2 questions · 30 min · 17% of the score; Calculator |
| Free response, no calculator | 4 questions · 60 min · 33% of the score; No calculator |

## How students score on AP Calculus AB

How students scored in 2026 (share of students at each AP score):

| Score | Share of students |
| --- | --- |
| 5 | 20% |
| 4 | 28% |
| 3 | 17% |
| 2 | 24% |
| 1 | 11% |

The share of students scoring 3 or higher on AP Calculus AB was 51.0% in 2021 and 65% in 2026. The College Board reviews each exam's score standards every five to ten years, so a change from one year to the next can reflect a new standard as well as how students did. AP pass rates for every exam shows the whole table.

| Year | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 or higher | Students | Mean score |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | 20% | 28% | 17% | 24% | 11% | 65% | n/a | n/a |
| 2025 | 20.3% | 28.9% | 15.0% | 22.8% | 13.0% | 64.2% | 285,891 | 3.21 |
| 2024 | 21.4% | 27.8% | 15.3% | 22.7% | 12.9% | 64.4% | 278,657 | 3.22 |
| 2023 | 22.4% | 16.2% | 19.4% | 21.7% | 20.3% | 58.0% | 273,987 | 2.99 |
| 2022 | 20.4% | 16.1% | 19.1% | 22.6% | 21.7% | 55.6% | 268,352 | 2.91 |
| 2021 | 17.6% | 14.1% | 19.3% | 25.3% | 23.7% | 51.0% | 251,639 | 2.77 |

## How long does AP Calculus AB take?

Every level covers the whole syllabus. A deeper level only adds classes, so you can go deeper later and keep everything you have done. Hours are hours of teaching, counted in classes of 45 or 60 minutes.

| Level | Hours | Classes of 45 min |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Short | 5 | 7 |
| Standard | 29.2 | 39 |
| In depth | 45 | 60 |
| Extended | 60.8 | 81 |
| Full syllabus | 64.5 | 86 |

The Programs page draws AP Calculus AB beside the other eleven programs on one hours scale, with what a pass costs at each level.

## Questions

**How many hours of teaching does AP Calculus AB take on Tutix?**

The Standard level takes 29.2 hours: 39 classes of 45 minutes, or 30 of 60. The Full syllabus level takes 64.5 hours (86 classes of 45 minutes). The Short level is 5 hours. Every level covers the whole syllabus; deeper levels add classes.

**What does the AP Calculus AB exam look like?**

As the board publishes it, the exam has these parts: Multiple choice, no calculator (29 questions, 62 minutes); Multiple choice, calculator (13 questions, 38 minutes); Free response, calculator (2 questions, 30 minutes); Free response, no calculator (4 questions, 60 minutes). Check your board's current specification for the exact format of the year you sit it.

**Which AP Calculus AB units carry the most weight?**

The heaviest units are Analytical Applications of Differentiation (15–20%); Integration and Accumulation of Change (15–20%); Limits and Continuity (10–15%), measured as a share of the multiple-choice section.

**Are there practice papers for AP Calculus AB?**

Yes. The Full syllabus level includes 2 full practice papers written for Tutix in the style of the real exam (48 questions and 96 marks each). You can sit them as long homework, and a class can go over them afterwards.

**Is this an official College Board AP course?**

No. Tutix is not affiliated with College Board and its AP Calculus AB classes are not endorsed by College Board. The lessons and questions are Tutix's own, prepared to follow the published AP Calculus AB course description, and the real exam is set and marked by College Board.

**Can I try AP Calculus AB for free?**

Yes. The Free plan includes 45 live class minutes a month, about one class of the default length, and no card is needed. Pro is $15 a month for 360 live minutes (6 hours), and Pro+ is $30 a month for 900 live minutes.

**Is the AP Calculus AB tutor a person?**

No. The tutor is an AI. It talks with you in real time, teaches on a whiteboard, reads your answers and remembers what each earlier class covered. A parent can set up a child's classes and choose to get a recap after each one.

**When is the AP Calculus AB exam in 2027?**

AP Calculus AB is on Monday, May 10, 2027, in the morning session. The 2027 AP exam window runs from May 3 to May 7 and from May 10 to May 14, set by the College Board.

**What is a good AP Calculus AB score?**

The College Board calls a 5 extremely well qualified, a 4 very well qualified and a 3 qualified. In 2026, 65% of students who sat AP Calculus AB scored 3 or higher. What counts as good for you depends on the colleges you are aiming at.

**Does AP Calculus AB count for college credit?**

It depends on the college. The College Board says many US colleges grant credit or advanced placement for scores of 3 and above, and that each college makes its own decisions about which scores it accepts. Check each college's credit policy before you rely on a score.

## Sources

- College Board: [AP Calculus AB: the exam](https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-calculus-ab/exam) (accessed October 21, 2026)
- College Board: [AP Calculus AB: the course](https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-calculus-ab) (accessed October 21, 2026)
- College Board: [AP exam dates](https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/exam-administration-ordering-scores/exam-dates) (accessed October 21, 2026)
- College Board: [AP score distributions, 2026](https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions) (2026 results)
- College Board: [The AP score scale](https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/ap-score-scale-table) (accessed October 21, 2026)
- College Board: [Getting credit and placement](https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement) (accessed October 21, 2026)
- College Board: [AP score distributions, by year (2021 to 2026)](https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions) (2021 to 2026 results)

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