AP Calculus represents the culmination of more than 4 years of secondary math courses. Getting a high score on the exam is a huge accomplishment and deserves to be celebrated. It’s also a difficult course to prepare for. Students need a comprehensive review book to supplement their assigned course textbooks to ensure they’re ready for the test. This year, our top pick is Cracking the AP Calculus BC Exam from Princeton Review, a comprehensive book crammed with extras to help students score their best possible 5.
The Premium version of this book adds 7 full length AP Calculus AB practice tests (more than any competitor) with complete explanations. It also includes thorough content reviews, targeted strategy guides, and access to online extras. This is the best study guide for a 5 on the AP Calculus exam.
Another great entry this year is The AP Calculus BC Crash Course from Barron’s. It’s an excellent supplemental book that covers just the essential topics and concepts for the test. It’s also the most affordable option on our list and features 3 full length practice tests with detailed answer explanations.
Kaplan’s AP Tutor Plus comes in second place this year with a solid offering. It’s the only review book on our list that offers a free study planner app to help students manage their time and plan for the test. The upgrade to the deluxe course also includes access to pre-recorded videos and question banks for the SAT, US Government, World History, and English Language. This is a nice bonus, but it’s not enough to justify the additional cost for many students.
