Your AP Precalculus Resource Center

AP Precalculus stands for Advanced Placement Precalculus. It is a college-level course offered by the College Board to high school students who are interested in studying precalculus at an advanced level. The course covers a broad range of topics in biology, including biochemistry, cellular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and physiology.

The course is rigorous and requires a strong foundation in biology as well as it expects students to engage in laboratory work, data analysis, and scientific writing, as well as to demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Course Contents

The course framework included in the AP Precalculus Course and Exam Description is organized into four commonly taught units of study that offer one possible sequence for the course. 

Units 1, 2, and 3 are assessed on the end-of-course AP Exam and describe what students should know and be able to do to qualify for college credit or placement. Unit 4 is not assessed on the exam and describes additional topics you might include based on state or local requirements.

You have the flexibility to organize the course content as you like. You can also augment the framework to meet state and local requirements.  

Unit	Details	Exam Weighting (Multiple-Choice Section)
Unit 1: Polynomial and Rational Functions	You’ll expand your understanding of polynomial and rational functions through the lenses of modeling and various rates of change	30%–40%
Unit 2: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions	You’ll deepen your understanding of inverses by exploring the relationship between exponential and logarithmic functions	27%–40%
Unit 3: Trigonometric and Polar Functions	You’ll model and explore periodic phenomena using transformations of trigonometric functions	30%–35%
Unit 4: Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and Matrices	You’ll expand your understanding of the function concept by exploring a variety of new function types	Not assessed on the AP Exam

Resources

AP Precalculus Exam Guide