What’s the difference between AP Calc AB and BC exams?

AP calculus is genuinely confusing me and I'm trying to decide between AB and BC. I definitely need some clarity on what each exam focuses on. Specifically, what are the major differences in content between Calc AB and BC? Is BC just a more advanced version of AB or are there different topics entirely?

Hi there! Both AP Calc AB and BC cover differential and integral calculus, but the main difference is the amount and level of content. AB is equivalent to a first semester college calculus course and covers fundamentals like limits, derivatives, and integrals. BC, on the other hand, is like AB but with additional topics such as parametric, polar, and vector functions, and it also delves deeper into the calculus of sequences and series. You can think of AB as the foundation, whereas BC builds on that foundation and goes further into complexity. So yes, BC is sort of a more advanced version of AB with extra material that would typically be seen in a second semester calculus course at college. If you feel solid with your pre-calculus skills, you might consider jumping into BC, especially if you have a strong math background or if you want to major in a STEM field. It'll be challenging but also very rewarding when you realize how much you've learned and mastered!