Before you even start your examination, make sure to prepare for the skills section of the exam. This includes practicing problems using the problem-solving method, practice writing sample questions, and reviewing concepts from the previous topics in your course. It is always a good idea to review these topics before even attempting the exam.
Start your examination with a mental walk through. First, start with a mental practice exam, using only your calculator. Use your calculator to solve problems as if you were actually facing an examiner. Then, use the real exam format and take one problem, giving yourself time to mentally walk through all of the steps. Do this until you feel completely comfortable with solving the problem without using the calculator.
Practice in front of a mirror. Watch yourself to answer the questions from the test book, making sure to go over all of the necessary answers. Note the grid paper and how you answered each question. Then, copy your answers out onto a piece of paper and keep them on your computer. Practice answering multiple-choice and short reasoning questions, as well as essay questions. You will gain valuable practice in preparation for the test.
Watch your calculator usage. Make sure to monitor your use of the calculator throughout the entire test. Keep track of which questions you get correct and which ones you get incorrect. Try to identify what makes you click incorrectly more than it does correctly. This will allow you to spend less time reviewing incorrect answers.
Learn as much as possible. This means studying for the exam without the computer. Listen to lectures, watch teaching aids, and read textbooks. Examine your notes from each class period and try to determine which topics were covered most efficiently. If you have trouble staying on topic, look up examples of real problems on the AP Calculus AB Exam website.
Analyze your notes. Write down any questions that you know the correct answer or that you are fairly sure you can answer. Use the formula b*e*d(I) to find the area (b-density) of the curve. After you have found the area, calculate the area by taking the derivative of the function with respect to time t. Find the derivative of the cosine wave function f(x, y, z) by finding the derivative of the equation
Be confident. Even if you do not see a very high grade on the exam, you will still be nervous about answering questions and making mistakes. Keep in mind, though, that you will eventually master the material so you will not have to worry about it. When you study well and focus during your preparation, you will have no problem passing the exam.
Clear your doubts. Try to clear any doubts you have by practicing real problems from the AP Calculus AB Exam and answering them under real conditions. Make sure you get as much information as possible about the topics so you will have a good idea what the correct answers are. You will have a better idea if you understand the topic well. You should also make sure that you practice answering the problem in many different situations, so you can get a feel for the format. Most likely, the easiest way to get better at Calculus is to practice problems until you can answer them without looking at the formula or without seeing any other questions.
Practice makes perfect. It is important that you spend lots of time practicing problems because it gives you an opportunity to explore new topics and find the most common solutions for problems that you already know the solution to. Do not give up if you cannot get the answers right away. Keep practicing and reviewing until you get better.
Prepare ahead of time. Spend some time working on problems ahead of time. This way, if you do not feel confident with your answers, you will be able to go back over them before taking the test. You should also set the problem parameters, so you will know how much time to spend on each section of the test and answer the questions. For example, you will need about 5 minutes on each question.
Finally, do not forget to relax and eat a good breakfast. The day before the test, you might want to stretch your muscles and get a good night’s sleep. This will help you focus and get all of the energy you need for the final hours of your preparation.
