Time Management for the Exam

AP Calculus · Axiom Academy

LESSON Time Management for the Exam Complete the exam efficiently without rushing The Big Picture: 3 Hours 15 Minutes You have 195 minutes total to complete two sections. Here's how to allocate your time strategically: Section I Strategy: Multiple Choice (75 minutes) Part A: No Calculator (30 min, 15 Q) ~2 minutes per question. These are conceptual. Spend the first 5 minutes scanning all questions, marking easy ones. Solve easy ones first, then tackle harder ones. If stuck after 90 seconds, guess and move on. Part B: With Calculator (45 min, 15 Q) ~3 minutes per question. These often require computation. Use your calculator strategically but don't waste time. Estimate first, then verify. Section II Strategy: Free Response (90 minutes) Seconds 0-5: Scan All Questions Read all 6 FRQs. Identify which look doable and which are harder. Mark your intended order. Minutes 5-65: Solve Main Questions Solve 4-5 questions fully. Budget 12-15 minutes per question. Skip one difficult question if needed. Minutes 65-90: Review & Fill Gaps Check your work on completed FRQs. Attempt any remaining questions, even partially. Partial credit beats no credit. Set mini-deadlines: Use a watch. At 10 minutes into Part A, you should have at least 3-4 questions done. Don't get stuck: If you're stuck on a question for over 2-3 minutes, mark it and move on. Come back if time allows. Use all the time: If you finish early, use remaining time to double-check work. There's no penalty for checking.

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