Top Mistakes — Don't Lose Easy Points

1. Forgetting +C on indefinite integrals. Every. Single. Year.

2. Chain rule omission. d/dx[sin(3x)] = cos(3x) · 3, NOT just cos(3x).

3. Sign errors. d/dx[cos x] = -sin x. The negative is critical.

4. Confusing displacement and distance. Displacement = ∫v dt. Distance = ∫|v| dt.

5. Not stating theorem conditions. "By MVT" isn't enough. State that f is continuous on [a,b] and differentiable on (a,b).

6. Calculator in radian mode. Trig functions on the AP are ALWAYS in radians.

7. Misreading the question. "Find the rate" ≠ "find the amount." "At what time" ≠ "what is the value."

Most AP points are lost to carelessness, not lack of knowledge.

Reference:

Wikipedia: AP Calculus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AP_Calculus