AP Precalculus exam format: what's on the 2027 exam
Updated
The AP Precalculus exam is on Tuesday, May 11, 2027, in the morning. It runs 2 hours and 55 minutes in two sections, and each section has one part with a calculator and one part without.
The format is new for 2027. Some prep materials still show the older version with 40 multiple-choice questions, so check the counts below against anything you're practicing with. Here's what's in each part, how much time you get per question, and how the units are weighted.
The four parts
- Section I, Part A: 29 multiple-choice questions in 65 minutes, no calculator, 43.75% of your score.
- Section I, Part B: 13 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes, calculator required, 18.75% of your score.
- Section II, Part A: 2 free-response questions in 35 minutes, calculator required, 18.75% of your score.
- Section II, Part B: 2 free-response questions in 35 minutes, no calculator, 18.75% of your score.
Multiple choice is 62.5% of your score and free response is 37.5%. The no-calculator parts also add up to 62.5%, so most of the exam is done by hand. If you're deciding where to spend study time, start there.
The four free-response questions
Each free-response question has a fixed type, so you know in advance what kind of task is coming. Each one is worth 6 points.
- FRQ 1, Function Concepts (calculator): working with functions given as graphs, tables, or formulas.
- FRQ 2, Modeling a Non-Periodic Context (calculator): building and using a model, such as an exponential or polynomial one, for a real situation.
- FRQ 3, Modeling a Periodic Context (no calculator): building a sinusoidal model for something that repeats. The sinusoidal models guide walks through it.
- FRQ 4, Symbolic Manipulations (no calculator): rewriting and solving with exponent, log, and trig rules. See the exponential and log equations guide.
The AP Precalculus free-response guide covers each type in more detail and how to earn the points.
Time per question
- No-calculator multiple choice: about 2 minutes 15 seconds per question.
- Calculator multiple choice: a little over 3 minutes per question.
- Free response: 17.5 minutes per question on average, in both parts.
How the exam is given
- The exam is hybrid. Multiple-choice questions and free-response prompts appear on screen in the Bluebook app, and you handwrite your free-response answers.
- Desmos is built into Bluebook on the calculator parts, and an approved handheld graphing calculator is also allowed. See how to use Desmos on the AP Precalculus exam.
- Decimal answers on free response should be correct to three places after the decimal point unless the question says otherwise.
- Show your setup on free response. Graders only see your paper, so writing the equation or model you used is how they can award points. It's good practice on every question.
What the exam covers
The course has four units, but only the first three are on the exam. Each range below is the share of the multiple-choice section that the unit is expected to fill.
- Unit 1: Polynomial and Rational Functions (30–40% of multiple choice)
- Unit 2: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (25–40% of multiple choice)
- Unit 3: Trigonometric and Polar Functions (30–35% of multiple choice)
Unit 4, Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and Matrices, isn't assessed on the exam. Your class may still teach it, but you don't need it for the test.
The three tested units are close in weight, so none of them is safe to skip. Free guides cover some core topics, including rational functions, regression, and polar functions.
How scoring works
- There's no penalty for guessing, so answer every multiple-choice question.
- Each free-response question is worth 6 points, scored against a rubric.
- Your final score is on the 1 to 5 scale. The conversion from points to that score is set for each exam, so a score from a practice set is an estimate.
If you want structured practice in the same format, the full AP Precalculus course has lessons and timed practice for all three tested units.
Keep going
Practice on exam-style questions
Intersect Prep has 349 multiple-choice questions across all 3 exam units, with a full solution for each one. Create a free account to try a full lesson with the calculator. One payment of $29 unlocks the course for 3 months, or $39 for 6 months.
Questions
- How long is the AP Precalculus exam?
- 2 hours and 55 minutes of testing time: 105 minutes for 42 multiple-choice questions and 70 minutes for 4 free-response questions.
- How much of the AP Precalculus exam uses a calculator?
- 13 of the 42 multiple-choice questions and 2 of the 4 free-response questions. Those parts make up 37.5% of your score.
- When is the 2027 AP Precalculus exam?
- Tuesday, May 11, 2027, in the morning. Check with your school for start times and testing details.
- Is Unit 4 on the AP Precalculus exam?
- No. Unit 4, Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and Matrices, isn't assessed on the exam. The exam covers Units 1 through 3.
- Did the AP Precalculus exam format change?
- Yes, the format is new for 2027. The multiple-choice section now has 42 questions, so older materials that show 40 questions describe the previous version.