The Big Picture — AP Calculus Roadmap

If you do nothing else, do these five things:

1. Memorize derivative and integral rules. Power rule, trig, exponential, chain rule, product rule. These must be instant — no thinking required.

2. Understand FTC deeply. Both parts. The connection between derivatives and integrals IS calculus. Every question ties back to this.

3. Practice free response from past exams. The College Board publishes every past free response with scoring rubrics. Do them timed. Check the rubric. Learn what earns points.

4. Master the f / f' / f'' relationships. Given any one, describe the others. This is the most tested conceptual skill.

5. Always show your work. Setup earns points. Notation earns points. Justification earns points. A naked answer with no work earns almost nothing.

AP Calculus has a ~60% pass rate (3+). Consistent practice makes you part of that majority. Start with past free response questions today.

Reference:

Wikipedia: AP Calculus

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