AP Calculus exam 2027: what changes for AB and BC
From May 2027, the AP Calculus AB and BC exams have three fewer multiple-choice questions and new timings for each part. The course content does not change, and the free-response section stays the same.
On this page
The May 2027 format, for AB and BC
| Section | Part | Questions | Time | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I: Multiple choice (50%) | Part A | 29 | 62 minutes | Not permitted |
| Part B | 13 | 38 minutes | Graphing calculator required | |
| II: Free response (50%) | Part A | 2 | 30 minutes | Graphing calculator required |
| Part B | 4 | 60 minutes | Not permitted |
Both exams are hybrid digital: multiple choice in the Bluebook app, and free-response answers handwritten in a paper booklet. The AP Calculus BC exam is on Monday 10 May 2027, in the morning session.
What changed from 2026
| Up to 2026 | From May 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice, Part A (no calculator) | 30 questions, 60 minutes | 29 questions, 62 minutes |
| Multiple choice, Part B (calculator) | 15 questions, 45 minutes | 13 questions, 38 minutes |
| Multiple choice in total | 45 questions, 1 hour 45 minutes | 42 questions, 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Free response | 6 questions, 1 hour 30 minutes | No change |
College Board confirms that the course content has not changed for either AB or BC.
What it means for your timing
- Part A (no calculator): a little more time per question, about 2 minutes 8 seconds instead of 2 minutes. Use it to check signs and chain-rule factors.
- Part B (calculator): slightly less, about 2 minutes 55 seconds instead of 3. Know your calculator routines (graphing, finding intersections, numerical derivatives and integrals) so they are automatic.
- Free response: unchanged, about 15 minutes a question. Show the set-up for every answer; a correct number with no working can lose points.
How to prepare
- Secure the units. See the AP Calculus AB units or the BC units.
- Learn the free-response patterns. Rates in context, accumulation with the fundamental theorem, slope fields and differential equations, and (for BC) series and parametric or polar motion come up every year.
- Practise with real papers from our AP Calculus AB and BC past papers pages, timed to the 2027 limits.
Common mistakes
- Practising multiple choice with the old 45-question timing, which gives you the wrong pace for Part B.
- Using the calculator for questions in a no-calculator part out of habit in practice.
- Giving a final answer on a free-response question without the integral or derivative set-up.
Frequently asked questions
Is AP Calculus changing in 2026-27?
The content is the same. Only the multiple-choice section changes: 42 questions in 1 hour 40 minutes instead of 45 in 1 hour 45 minutes.
How many questions are on the 2027 AP Calculus AB exam?
42 multiple-choice questions (29 without a calculator, 13 with) and 6 free-response questions.
Is the BC exam format the same as AB?
Yes. Both have the same sections, question counts and timings. BC covers more content, including series.
Has the free-response section changed?
No. It is still 6 questions in 1 hour 30 minutes: 2 with a calculator and 4 without.
Key takeaways
- Multiple choice: 29 questions in 62 minutes (no calculator), then 13 in 38 minutes (calculator).
- Free response is unchanged: 6 questions in 90 minutes.
- Course content is unchanged for AB and BC.
Source: College Board, AP Central exam pages and the Clarifications and Exam Updates for 2026-27, checked 20 October 2026.
Try AP calculus practice by unit, marked as you go, with hints and step-by-step solutions.