AP Calculus AB & BC Online Course
A self-paced course that follows the College Board curriculum unit by unit, from limits to infinite series, with worked examples, daily practice and an AI tutor that explains the step you missed. Also covers College Calculus 1 and 2.
Course at a glance
- Levels
- AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, College Calculus 1 & 2
- Format
- Online and self-paced: start any time, study at your own speed
- Curriculum
- Follows the 10 units of the College Board AP Calculus course
- Prerequisites
- Algebra 2 and Precalculus
- Includes
- Lessons, worked examples, practice problems, exam-style questions, AI tutor
- Price
- Lesson 1 free, then monthly or semester plans. See pricing
AP Calculus units and topics
AB covers Units 1–8. BC covers all ten, including the extra BC-only topics.
Unit 1: Limits and Continuity
AB & BCLimits from graphs and tables, limit laws, squeeze theorem, continuity, IVT, asymptotes
Unit 2: Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties
AB & BCDerivative as a limit, power/product/quotient rules, derivatives of trig, exponential and log functions
Unit 3: Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions
AB & BCChain rule, implicit differentiation, inverse and inverse-trig derivatives, higher-order derivatives
Unit 4: Contextual Applications of Differentiation
AB & BCRates of change, motion, related rates, linearization, L'Hôpital's rule
Unit 5: Analytical Applications of Differentiation
AB & BCMean Value Theorem, extrema, increasing/decreasing, concavity, curve sketching, optimization
Unit 6: Integration and Accumulation of Change
AB & BCRiemann sums, definite integrals, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, u-substitution (BC adds parts, partial fractions, improper integrals)
Unit 7: Differential Equations
AB & BCSlope fields, separation of variables, exponential models (BC adds Euler's method and logistic growth)
Unit 8: Applications of Integration
AB & BCAverage value, area between curves, volumes by cross-sections and discs/washers (BC adds arc length)
Unit 9: Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Vector-Valued Functions
BC onlyDerivatives and arc length of parametric curves, vector motion, polar area
Unit 10: Infinite Sequences and Series
BC onlyConvergence tests, alternating series error, Taylor and Maclaurin series, radius and interval of convergence
AP Calculus AB vs BC: which should you take?
| AP Calculus AB | AP Calculus BC | |
|---|---|---|
| Units | 1–8 | 1–10 |
| College equivalent | About one semester (Calc 1) | About two semesters (Calc 1 & 2) |
| Extra topics | None | Series, parametric, polar and vector functions, advanced integration |
| Best if you | Want a solid first calculus course | Are strong in precalculus and want to go further |
Start with a free topic lesson
Read the full explanation and worked examples, no account needed.
How each unit is taught
Understand the why, then practice until it sticks.
Concept
Visual explanations, like slope as a rate of change, before any formulas.
Worked examples
Chain rule, related rates, integration by parts and series tests, solved step by step.
Practice
Exam-style free-response and multiple-choice questions for every topic.
Doctor Mode
The AI spots the pattern behind your mistakes and targets it.
Who this course is for
Frequently asked questions
Can you take AP Calculus BC online?
Yes. You can learn the full AP Calculus BC curriculum online, and LearnAppu covers all ten BC units at your own pace. To earn college credit you still take the official AP exam in May, which you register for through a school or authorized test center. LearnAppu is exam preparation, not an accredited high school course, so it does not appear on a transcript by itself.
Can I self-study AP Calculus BC?
Many students do, especially if they are strong in precalculus. Work through the units in order, do practice problems every day rather than only reading, and take timed practice exams in the final weeks. The hardest part of self-study is not having anyone to ask when you are stuck; LearnAppu's AI tutor fills that gap by explaining the exact step you missed.
What is the difference between AP Calculus AB and BC?
AB covers Units 1–8, roughly one semester of college calculus. BC covers all of AB plus Units 9 and 10 (parametric, polar and vector functions, and infinite series), which is roughly two semesters of college calculus. BC students also receive an AB subscore on the exam.
Is AP Calculus BC harder than AB?
BC moves faster and adds series, which many students find the most challenging topic in the course. If you are comfortable with algebra, functions and trigonometry and are willing to practice consistently, BC is very manageable. If your precalculus foundation is shaky, AB first is a sound choice.
What do I need to know before starting AP Calculus?
You should be comfortable with Algebra 2 and Precalculus: functions and their graphs, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometry and the unit circle, and solving equations. If any of those feel rusty, review them first in our Precalculus course.
How much does the LearnAppu calculus course cost?
Lesson 1 of any subject is free, with no card required. A paid plan unlocks every chapter of the subject you choose, with monthly or semester billing. See the pricing page for current prices.
Start AP Calculus free
Try Lesson 1 of AP Calculus AB or BC free. Upgrade only when you want the full course.
Start Free Calculus Lesson