Part Two

Diagnostic Test

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 AP Calculus AB and BC
Diagnostic Tests

Take a moment to gauge your readiness for the AP Calculus exam by taking either the AB
diagnostic test or the BC diagnostic test, depending on which test you plan to take. The questions
in this diagnostic are designed to cover most of the topics you will encounter on the AP Calculus
exam. After you take it, you can use the results to give yourself a general idea of the subjects in
which you are strong and the topics you need to review more. You can use this information to
tailor your approach to the following review chapters. Ideally you’ll still have time to read all the
chapters, but if you’re pressed for time, you can start with the chapters and subjects you really need
to work on.

Important note for students planning to take the BC exam: The BC exam consists of both AB and
BC material. If you plan to take the BC exam, you should test yourself on BOTH diagnostic tests.
The BC diagnostic focuses on BC material in an effort to give you the greatest opportunity to test
your understanding of BC topics. The real BC exam will not emphasize BC topics as heavily, so
you should take the AB diagnostic as well to ensure that you have a good grasp of both the AB and
the BC material.

Give yourself 30 minutes for the 20 multiple-choice questions and 20 minutes for the free-
response question. Time yourself, and take the entire test without interruption—you can always
call your friend back after you finish. Also, no TV or music. You won’t have either luxury while
taking the real AP Calculus exam, so you may as well get used to it now.

Be sure to read the explanations for all questions, even those you answered correctly. Even if you
got the problem right, reading another person’s answer can give you insights that will prove helpful
on the real exam.

Good luck on the diagnostic!

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 Diagnostic Test AB Answer Grid
To compute your score for this diagnostic test, calculate the number of questions you got right, then divide by
20 to get the percentage of questions that you answered correctly.

The approximate score range is as follows:

5 = 80–100% (extremely well qualified)

4 = 60–79% (well qualified)

3 = 50–59% (qualified)

2 = 40–49% (possibly qualified)

1 = 0–39% (no recommendation)

A score of 49% is a 2, so you can definitely do better. If your score is low, keep on studying to improve your
chances of getting credit for the AP Calculus AB exam.

1. 11.
2. 12.
3. 13.
4. 14.
5. 15.
6. 16.
7. 17.
8. 18.
9. 19.
10. 20.

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 Diagnostic Test AB

Directions: Solve the following problems, using available space for scratchwork. After examining the
form of the choices, decide which one is the best of the choices given and fill in the corresponding oval
on the answer sheet. No credit will be given for anything written in the test book. Do not spend too
much time on any one problem.

Note: For the actual test, no scrap paper is provided.

In this test:
(1) The domain of a function f  is the set of all real numbers x for which f (x) is a real number, unless
otherwise specified.

(2) The inverse of a trigonometric function f may be indicated using the inverse function notation f -1
or with the prefix “arc” (e.g., sin-1 x = arcsin x).

eh − e 3. The graph of y = x 3 + 21x 2 − x + 1 is concave

1. Evaluate lim . down for
h→ h − 2
1 1
2 (A) x < −7
(A) e 2 (B) −7 < x < 7
(B) e 2 − 1 (C) all x
(C) e (D) x >7
(D) e (E) x < −7 and x > 7
(E) The limit does not exist.
π x 3 + x5
4. If F (x ) = , then F ′( e ) =
2. ∫0
2 sin x cos x dx = ln(x 2 )
(A) 0 (A) e 2 (3e + 1)
(B) 1 (B) e(3e + 1)
(C) π (C) 2e
2 (D) e (e + 1)
(D) (E) 3e 2 − 1
3
2π
(E)
3

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 Part two: Diagnostic test
32
AP Calculus AB Diagnostic Test

5. What are the values for which the function sin 2 ( 4 x )

2 8. Evaluate lim .
f (x ) = x 3 − x 2 − 4 x + 3 is increasing? x →0 x2
3 (A)     1
(A) −1 < x < 2 4
(B) x < −1 (B)    0
(C) x < −1 and x > 2 (C) 16
(D) 0 < x < 2 (D)    4
(E) x > −1 (E) The limit does not exist.

6. If f ( x ) = cos 2 (sin( 2 x )), then f ′  π  =

   8
(A) 1 + 2 cos  2 
 2 
 2
(B) 2 sin 
 2 
  
(C) cos  sin  2  
  2 
   
(D) −2 2 cos  2  sin  2 
 2   2 
 
(E) − 2 cos  2 
 2 
7. The graph of f is given below. Which of the
following statements is true about f ?

(A) lim f ( x ) = 1
x →0
(B) lim f ( x ) = 2
x →0−
(C) lim f ( x ) = 3
x →2 +
(D) lim f ( x ) = 2
x →2
(E) lim f ( x ) = undefined
x →2 −

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 Part two: Diagnostic Test
33
AP Calculus AB Diagnostic Test

3 5
10. Evaluate lim x + 3 x + x .
x→∞ 2 x 5 +3x2 +5
(A) 0
4
(B) -
3
2
(C)
3
3
(D)
9. The graph of f is given above. Which graph 2
below could represent the graph of f ′ ? (E) The limit does not exist.
2
(A) 11. Evaluate lim 2 x + x − 3 .
x →1 1− x2
(A) - 5
2
(B) 0
4
(C)
3
3
(B) (D) -
2
(E) The limit does not exist.

12. The solution to the differential equation

dy x 2
= , where y( 3) = 3 is
dx y 3
(C) (A) y = 4 3 x 3 − 45
4

(B) y = 4 43 x 3 + 45

(C) y = 4 43 x 4 + 5

(D) y = 4 43 x 4 + 4 45
(D)
(E) y = 4 43 x 4 + 45

13. The slope of the tangent to the curve

2 x 3 y 2 − 5 x 2 y = 18 at the point (1,2) is

(A) - 4
(E) 5
3
(B) -
2
(C)    0
(D) - 4
3
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 Part two: Diagnostic test
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AP Calculus AB Diagnostic Test

14. Which of the following is a slope field for the 15. The area of the region enclosed by the graph
dy 2 x 3 of  y = 2 x 2 + 1 and the line y = 2 x + 5 is
differential equation = ?
dx y (A) 5
(A)
(B) 3
7
(C)
2
(D) 9
(E)  1
3
16. At what point on the graph of  y = 2 x 2 is
(B) the tangent line perpendicular to the line
2x + 3 y = 6 ?
(A) (0, 0)
(B) ( 1 1
,
16 32 )
(C)  32 , 3 2 6 
 

(C) (D) (,) 1 1

4 4

 3 3 3
(E)  16 , 32 

17. If the region enclosed by the x-axis, the line

3
x = 1, the line x = 3, and the curve y = x 2
is revolved around the x-axis, the volume of
(D) the solid is
(A) 20π
(B) 25
2
π
(C) 21π
(D) 4w
(E) 100
3
π
(E)

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 Part two: Diagnostic Test
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AP Calculus AB Diagnostic Test

18. An equation of the line tangent to the graph of 20. Suppose that f is a continuous function and
( ) π
y = 2 sin 2 x + 3 π at x = 8 is
4
differentiable everywhere. Suppose also that
f ( 0 ) = 1, f ( 5 ) = −4 , f ( −5 ) = −3. Which of the
π
(A) y − = −4 x
2 following statements must be true about f ?
π
(B) y + = 43 x
4 I. f has exactly two zeros.
π
(C) y = 4 x + 2
II. f has at least two zeros.
(D) y + π2 = 4 x III. f must have a zero between 0 and -5.
IV. There is not enough information to
(E) 2 y = −4 x + π
determine anything about the zeros
x2 of f.
19. Find the derivative of f ( x ) = ∫ 0 cos( t 2 )dt .
(A) I only
(A) cos( x 4 )
(B) II only
(B) cos( x 2 )
(C) I and III only
(C) 2 x cos( x 2 )
(D) II and III only
(D) x cos( x 4 )
(E) IV
(E) 2 x cos( x 4 )

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 Part two: Diagnostic test
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AP Calculus AB Diagnostic Test

Free-Response Question
Directions: Solve the following problem, using available space for scratchwork. Show how you arrived at
your answer.
• You should write out all your work for each part. On the actual test, you will do this in the space
provided in the test booklet. Be sure to write clearly and legibly. If you make a mistake, you can save
time by crossing it out rather than trying to erase it. Erased or crossed-out work will not be graded.
• Show all your work. Clearly label any functions, graphs, tables, or other objects that you use. On the
actual exam, you will be graded on the correctness and completeness of your methods as well as your
answers. Answers without any supporting work may not receive credit.
• Justifications (i.e., the request that you “justify your answer”) require that you give mathematical
(non-calculator) reasons.
• Work must be expressed in standard mathematical notation, not calculator syntax.
• Unless otherwise specified, answers (numeric or algebraic) need not be simplified.
• If you use decimal approximations in calculations, the readers of the actual exam will grade you on
accuracy. Unless otherwise specified, your final answers should be accurate to three places after the
decimal point.
• Unless otherwise specified, the domain of function f is the set of all real numbers x for which f(x) is a
real number.

21. A particle moves along the x-axis so that its velocity at any time t > 0 is given by v(t) = 5t 2 - 4t + 7. The
position of the particle, x ( t ) , is 8 for t = 3.
(a) Write a polynomial for the position of the particle at any time t ≥ 0.
(b) Find the total distance traveled by the particle from time t = 0 until time t = 2.
(c) Does the particle achieve a minimum velocity? And if so what is the position of the particle at
this time?

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 Part two: Diagnostic Test
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AP Calculus AB Diagnostic Test

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 Part two: Diagnostic test
38
AP Calculus AB Diagnostic Test

Stop
If you finish before time is called, you may check your work on
this section only. Do not turn to any other section in the test.

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 Part two: Diagnostic Test
39
Diagnostic Test AB answers and explanations

answers and explanations

1. C
f (h ) − f (a )
This problem is a direct application of the definition of the derivative. Remember: f ′(a ) = lim .
h→a h−a
eh − e
Here f ( x ) = e x and a = 1 . We know that f ′
2 ( 12 ) = dxd e x x = 1
2
1
= e2 = e and f ′ ( 12 ) = lim
h → 0 h − 12
. So the
result follows.

2. D
Let u = sin x; du = cos x dx. We can rewrite the integral as:
π π
1 2 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 3 2
∫ 0
2 sin x cos x dx = ∫ u du = u 2 = (sin x ) 2
2
3 3 0
=
3
(1) 2 − (0) 2 = .
3 3
3. A
The function f  is concave down for all x such that f ″( x ) < 0. By direct calculation, y′ = 3x2 + 42x - 1 and
y ″ = 6 x + 42. So f is concave down when 6 x + 42 < 0, that is, when x < −7.

4. B
To calculate the derivative of a quotient we must use the quotient rule:
 f ′ gf ′ − fg ′ . With f ( x ) = x 3 + x 5 and g ( x ) = ln( x 2 ),
g = g2
 
[ln( x 2 )][3 x 2 + 5 x 4 ] − [ x 3 + x 5 ][ x12 ⋅ 2 x ]
we get F ′( x ) = .
[ln( x 2 )]2

And since ln(e) = 1, we get, after much reducing, F ′( e ) = e (3e + 1) .

5. C
The function f is increasing for all x such that f ′( x ) > 0. By direct calculation, f  ′(x) = 2x2 - 2x - 4 = 2(x2 -
x - 2) = 2(x - 2)(x + 1). Therefore, f '( x ) > 0 when (x - 2) and (x + 1) are either both positive or both negative.
This occurs when x < −1 and x > 2.

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Diagnostic Test AB answers and explanations

6. D
In this problem we have to use the chain rule three times. Perhaps it helps to rewrite f as f (x) = [cos(sin(2x))]2.
Then by applying the chain rule (three times) we get f ′( x ) = 2 [ cos(sin(2 x ))] × [ − sin(sin(2 x ))] × cos(2 x ) ×
2 = −4 cos(sin(2 x ))sin(sin(2 x ))cos(2 x ). Now by plugging in the value x = π8 and using the fact that
sin π4 = cos π4 = 2
2
, we get f ′ ( π8 ) = −2 2 cos ( ) sin ( ).
2
2
2
2

7. C
We can easily calculate each limit and check which graphs are plausible. Choice (C) is correct because as x
approaches 2 from the right, f (x) approaches 3. The limit in (A) is undefined because the left and right side
limits are not equal. For (B), by examining the graph, the limit of f as x approaches 0 from the left is 1, not 2.
For (D), the left hand and right hand limits are not equal so the limit does not exist. For (E), the left hand limit
of the function is defined. In fact, we get lim f ( x ) = 2.
x → 2−
8. C
sin x
Students are expected to know that lim = 1. For this problem, the limit can be rewritten:
x →0 x
2 2 2
sin 2 (4 x )  sin 4 x   sin 4 x   sin 4 x 
lim = lim   = lim  4 × = 16 × lim  = 16. Note that as
x →0 x 2 x →0  x  x →0  4 x  x →0  4x 

x → 0, 4 x → 0, so the limit is still 1.

9. C
Notice that the graph of f has a point of inflection at x = 10; i.e., it changes concavity at x = 10. Points of
inflection can only occur when f  ″ = 0 or is undefined. Since f  ″ is the rate of change of f  ′, the slope of the
tangent line to the graph of f  ′ must be 0 at the point of inflection. We can therefore eliminate all but (C).

10. D
Because the degree of the numerator polynomial is equal to the degree of the denominator polynomial, the
limit as x approaches infinity is simply the ratio of the coefficients of the highest-order terms. Note that
x 3 + 3x 5 + x
x 3 + 3x 5 + x 5 5 5 0+3+0 3
lim = lim x 5 x 2 x = = .
5 2
x →∞2 x + 3 x + 5 x →∞ 2 x + 3 x + 5 2+0+0 2
x5 x5 x5
11. A
The limit is indeterminate because if we plug in the value x = 1 we get 0 . However, by factoring the numerator
0
and the denominator we can reduce the argument and easily plug in the value x = 1 to evaluate the limit. See
2x 2 + x − 3 (2 x + 3)( x − 1) −(2 x + 3) −5
that lim = lim = lim = .
x →1 1− x 2 x →1 (1 − x )(1 + x ) x →1 1 + x 2

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Diagnostic Test AB answers and explanations

12. B
y4 x3
First, cross-multiply and integrate both sides to get ∫ y 3dy = ∫ x 2dx . Thus
= + C and so, solving for y,
4 3
we get y = 4 4 x 3 + C . Now using the initial condition we can figure out what C should be. We know that
3

3= 4 4 33 + C ; solving for C we get C = 45. Therefore, we can conclude that y = 4 4 x3 + 45.

3 3

13. D
Differentiate the expression term by term, keeping in mind the product rule and attaching a term dx or dy each
time we differentiate x or y, respectively. Then solve for dy . We get
dx
(2 x 3 y 2 ) − (5 x 2 y ) = 18

(4 x 3 ydy + 6 x 2 y 2 dx ) − (10 xydx + 5 x 2 dy ) = 0

4 x 3 ydy − 5 x 2 dy = 10 xydx − 6 x 2 y 2 dx

(4 x 3 y − 5 x 2 )dy = (10 xy − 6 x 2 y 2 )dx

dy (10 xy − 6 x 2 y 2 )
= .
dx (4 x 3 y − 5 x 2 )
dy
Now evaluate at the point (1,2) to get the slope of the tangent line to the curve. We get
dx
dy [10(1)(2) − 6(2)2 (1)2 ] 4
= 3 2
=− .
dx (1,2) [4(2)(1) − 5(1) ] 3
14. B
y2 x4
Cross-multiply and integrate to get ∫ y dy = ∫ 2 x 3dx . Thus,
= + C . Solving for y, we see that
2 2
y = ± x 4 + C . For example, when C = 0, we have y = ± x 2. These integral curves are given in (B).

15. D
To calculate the area between the curves y = 2 x 2 + 1 and y = 2 x + 5, we must evaluate the integral
b
∫a (2 x + 5) − (2 x 2 + 1)dx . To determine which values to use for a and b as the limits of the integral, we
calculate the x values where the two curves intersect. Solve 2 x 2 + 1 = 2 x + 5 by factoring to get x = 2 and
x = -1. Set a = -1, b = 2. The enclosed area, A, is therefore given by the equation

2
2 2  −2 x 3 
A = ∫ (2 x + 5) − (2 x 2 + 1) dx = ∫ −2 x 2 + 2 x + 4 dx =  + x 2 + 4 x  = −6 + 15 = 9.
−1 −1
 3  −1

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Diagnostic Test AB answers and explanations

16. D
3 –2
Because y = 2 x 2 , we get y ′ = 3 x . So the slope of the tangent at x is 3 x . 2 x + 3 y = 6 implies y = x + 2,
–2 3
so the slope of the line given is . Recall that perpendicular lines have negative reciprocal slopes. Thus we
3
3 1  1 1
must solve the equation 3 x = for x. We get x = . Therefore  ,  is the point where the slope of the
2 4  4 4
tangent is perpendicular to the line 2 x + 3 y = 6.

17. A
b
The equation to use is V = ∫a π[ f ( x )]2 dx , where f (x) = radius of a cross section given by the function
and a and b are the left and right bounds of the surface of revolution. The π[ f ( x )]2 term measures the
b
area of a cross-sectional disk and the ∫ dx term adds them up to give the entire volume of the solid. So,
a
3 3
3 3 π x4  34 1 
V = ∫ 1
π[ x 2 ]2 dx = ∫1 πx 3 dx =
4 1
= π  −  = 20π
4 4
18. A
To get the equation of the tangent line, we need to know the slope of the tangent line and a point on the
tangent line. To calculate the slope of the tangent at x = π8 , find y′ π8 . ( )
Using the chain rule, y ′ ( π8 ) = 2 cos ( 2 x + 34π ) ⋅ 2 = 4 cos ( 2 x + 34π ) = 4 cos ( π4 + 34π ) = −4 . Because the line
we want is tangent to the curve y = 2 sin ( 2 x + 34π ) , ( π8 , y ( π8 )) = ( π8 , 0 ) is a point on the tangent line. Using
the point-slope form we conclude that the equation of the tangent line is y − π = −4 x .
2

19. E
x x2
Set f ( x ) = ∫0 cos(t 2 )dt . Therefore, f ( x 2 ) = ∫0
cos(t 2 )dt . From the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus we
d  x2  d
know that f ′( x ) = cos( x 2 ). Now applying the chain rule we see that  ∫ cos(t 2 ) dt  = f (x 2 ) =
dx  0  dx
f ′( x 2 ) ⋅ 2 x = cos(( x 2 )2 ) ⋅ 2 x = 2 x cos( x 4 ).

20. D
This question is a direct application of the intermediate value theorem, which states that if f is a continuous
function on the closed interval [a , b ] and d is a real number between f (a ) and f (b ), then there exists a c in [a , b ]
such that f (c ) = d . Because f (0) = 1, f (5) = −4, by the Intermediate Value Theorem there clearly exists a c1
between 0 and 5 such that f (c1 ) = 0. Similarly, because f (0) = 1, f (−5) = −3, there exists a c 2 between 0
and -5 such that f (c 2 ) = 0. Therefore, c1 and c 2 are at least two zeros of f and by their location, (D) must be
the correct answer.

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Diagnostic Test AB answers and explanations

Free-Response
21. (a) The position of the particle is given by
5
x (t ) = ∫ v (t )dt = ∫ 5t 2 − 4t + 7 dt = t 3 − 2t 2 + 7t + C . Solve for C by substituting
3
5
x(3) = 8: 8 = (27) − 2(9) + 21 + C = 45 − 18 + 21 + C = 48 + C . Therefore, C = -40
3
and the position of the particle can be written
5
x (t ) = t 3 − 2t 2 + 7t − 40.
3 2
(b) Total distance traveled is given by ∫ v (t ) dt .
0
v (t ) is positive everywhere, so this is just
5  5  40 58
x (2) − x (0) =  23 − 2 ⋅ 22 + 7 ⋅ 2 − 40 −  03 − 2 ⋅ 02 + 7 ⋅ 0 − 40 = − 8 + 14 = .
3  3  3 3
2
(c) We find the extrema by setting v ′(t ) = 0. v ′(t ) = 10t − 4 = 0 when t = . Note that v ″(t ) = 10 > 0,
5
so this value is a minimum.
 2 5  8   4  14 31
The position is, then, x   =  − 2  + − 40 = −37 .
 5  3  125   25  5 75
Note: Any question that asks you to compute total distance is asking for ∫ v ( s ) ds , where v is the
velocity. Our problem is easier, since v ( s ) = v ( s ) for our function. For part (c), it isn’t enough to just
compute the zero of v′. You also need to explain, however briefly, why v actually attains a minimum
(and doesn’t just continue to decrease to −∞ ). In the solution, this is because we stated that v is positive
everywhere, and so can’t go to −∞.

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Diagnostic Test AB: Correlation Chart

Diagnostic Test AB: Correlation Chart

Use the results of your test to determine which topics you should spend the most time reviewing.

Question
Topic
Number
1 Definition of Derivative
2 Integration of Trigonometric Functions
3 Relationship Between Concavity of f and the Sign of the Second Derivative
4 Quotient Rule, Chain Rule, and Logarithmic Derivatives
5 Relationship Between Increasing/Decreasing Property of f and the First Derivative
6 Chain Rule and Trigonometric Derivatives
7 Estimating Limits of a Function from the Graph
8 Trigonometric Limits
9 Graphical Relationship Between Increasing/Decreasing Nature of f and the Sign of f ′
10 Evaluation of Limits As x Approaches Infinity
11 Evaluating Indeterminate Limits Using Algebraic Techniques
12 Solving Differential Equations with the Initial Condition
13 Implicit Differentiation
14 Graphical Interpretation of Solutions to Differential Equations
15 Integration Within Specified Boundaries
16 Derivatives As Slope of Tangent
17 Integration, Volume of a Solid with Known Cross-Section
18 Derivatives, Chain Rule, Derivatives As Slope of Tangent
19 Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and Chain Rule
20 Intermediate Value Theorem
(a)  Integration Using Initial Value Data
21 (b)  Integration to Determine Total Displacement
(c)  Differentiation to Find Extremum Value

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