Polynomial and rational functions, exponentials and logs, trigonometry and polar, modeling. Leads to AP Calculus AB / BC.
Formats
6 to 8 student seminars with homework, 32 weeks, no spring break, ending before the AP exam; also 1-on-1, online or in person.
How to start
Start with a placement assessment. We use it to set the level and class, then confirm the year plan with the family. For schedules, tuition, and bundle offers, request the 2026-27 program guide through the form below.
Want to talk to a course advisor now?
Contact a course advisorHow the exam is built
Sections drawn to their share of the score; the wider the block, the more practice it deserves.
| Section | Questions | Time | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I: Multiple choice (Part A no calculator 29 / Part B graphing calculator 13) | 42 | 1 hr 45 min | ~63% |
| Section II: Free response (2 with calculator, 2 without) | 4 | 1 hr 10 min | ~37% |
Units and exam weighting
Each ruler segment equals the unit’s midpoint exam weight. The yellow unit carries the most points and gets the most class time.
- 1Polynomial and Rational Functions30–40%
- 2Exponential and Logarithmic Functions25–40%
- 3Trigonometric and Polar Functions30–35%
- 4Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and MatricesNot assessed
Global score distribution 2026
Out of every 100 test takers.
At Irvine public high schools
Whether each school offers it, which grades can enroll, the gate, and last year’s results. Updates with the school guides.
Irvine High School
Open to 10-12PrerequisitesNone
Full school guide →Northwood High School
Open to 10-12PrerequisitesB- or higher in Enhanced Math II + teacher appraisal, OR A both semesters of Math II (+ pass summer HS Math Bridge), OR B- both semesters of Math III
Full school guide →Portola High School
Open to 10-12PrerequisitesFrom Math II via HS Summer Bridge (A- both sems, EOC 85%, SMPs to qualify; then B-/85%/SMPs); from Enhanced Math II meet 2 of 3 (B- both sems, EOC 85%, SMPs); from Math III C or better both sems (A's recommended)
Full school guide →University High School
Open to 10-12Prerequisites≥ 80% in Enhanced Math II both semesters + 85% EOC + teacher appraisal (2 of 3); from regular Math II: Summer Bridge course with ≥ B, 85% EOC, appraisal (to enroll in Summer Bridge need A (not A-) in Math II both semesters + teacher rec); from Math III: > C- (A recommended)
Full school guide →Woodbridge High School
Open to 10-12PrerequisitesSuccessful completion of Enhanced Math II, summer Math Bridge, or Math 3
Full school guide →IUSD course-selection rules
Which grade can take this AP at each school, what the prerequisites are, and how weighted GPA is calculated. Confirm with the school's current course catalog before choosing.
- Irvine High School: Grade 9 may take AP World History, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A. AP Precalculus and AP Art History open in grade 10. AP Physics 1 is taken in grade 11 and the remaining AP science courses in grade 12; AP Psychology and AP Macroeconomics require enrollment in grade 11 or 12.
- Northwood High School: No AP courses are offered in grade 9. Grade 10 is limited to four: AP Art History, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Music Theory, and AP Precalculus, assigned as seats allow. The remaining AP courses are concentrated in grades 11 and 12, and most require a current teacher's signed recommendation on the course request form.
- Portola High School: Grade 10 has a single AP option, AP Human Geography, which the school calls the "grade 10 choice." The large majority of AP courses are for grades 11 and 12. AP Precalculus, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A open from grade 10 subject to math prerequisites. Restricted to grade 12 are AP Physics C, AP English Language, AP United States Government together with Honors Political Economy, AP 3-D Design, and Honors Engineering Design and Development. Grade 9 students may not sit an AP exam at the school unless they have taken the course or the Irvine Unified School District GATE office approves it on the basis of existing preparation.
- University High School: No AP courses are offered in grade 9. From grade 10, students may take AP Precalculus, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Statistics, and AP Cybersecurity. AP United States History is offered in grade 10 on the condition that the student earned Honors Distinction in both semesters of World History. Most AP courses are concentrated in grades 11 and 12.
- Woodbridge High School: Grade 9 may take one AP course, AP Human Geography, the only AP course open to grade 9 at any of the five comprehensive high schools in the Irvine Unified School District. Grade 10 may take AP World History, AP English Language, AP Precalculus, and AP Computer Science Principles. From grade 11, AP United States History, AP Physics 1, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Calculus AB and BC, and AP Statistics open. AP Physics 2, AP Physics C, AP United States Government, and AP Macroeconomics are taken in grade 12.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grade should Irvine students take AP Precalculus?
Grades 8 through 12, and most students enter after Enhanced Math II. Math acceleration and bridge rules differ by school within Irvine Unified School District (IUSD), so confirm your school's sequence in the IUSD high school guides before choosing a year. At EDUBUS, level and class are set by a placement assessment rather than by grade alone.
How is this different from a regular school precalculus class?
It is a College Board course with a fixed syllabus and a May exam; a regular precalculus class has neither. Three units are tested: polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and trigonometric and polar functions. A fourth unit on parameters, vectors, and matrices is taught but not tested.
What does the exam look like?
The exam runs 2 hours 55 minutes. Multiple choice has 42 questions worth about 63 percent; free response has 4 questions worth about 37 percent. A graphing calculator is required on multiple choice Part B and free response Part A, and is not permitted on the other sections.
Is a 5 realistic for Irvine public high school students?
It is among the more attainable AP math exams. In 2026, 82 percent of test takers worldwide scored 3 or higher and 29 percent scored 5. School-by-school rates appear in the At Irvine public high schools section above. Class hours follow the published unit weights, with the most time on polynomial and rational functions and on trigonometric and polar functions.
After finishing in Irvine, what comes next?
AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC. Students with a strong base who want to finish calculus early go straight to BC; students who are short on time take AB first. Either path is available in 6 to 8 student seminars or 1-on-1.
