Track your progress
Sign in to save your work and track your achievements
Sign In

CalcPrep Blog

Explore our latest articles, tips, and insights on calculus and mathematics.

Featured Post

Every Calculus Student Deserves the Right Support at the Right Time
5 min readBy Zachary Wilkerson

Every Calculus Student Deserves the Right Support at the Right Time

After 10+ years of teaching calculus, here's what I've learned about what makes the difference for students — and why the support window matters.

Read more →

Latest Articles

5 min read

What Great Calculus Tutoring Actually Looks Like (From a Tutor's Perspective)

Ever wonder what actually happens in a calculus tutoring session? Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how I prepare, teach, and support my students.

5 min read

AP Calculus FRQ Tips: How to Get Full Credit (Not Just the Right Answer)

Getting the right answer on AP Calculus FRQs isn't enough. Learn how to write clear justifications, avoid common mistakes, and earn full credit.

5 min read

Calculus 2 Formula Sheet: The Complete Reference Guide You Actually Need

A complete Calculus 2 formula sheet covering integration techniques, series convergence tests, parametric and polar formulas. Free printable reference.

5 min read

Why Calculus 2 Is the Hardest Undergraduate Math Course (And How to Survive It)

Calculus 2 has a reputation as the hardest undergrad math course. Here's why it's so brutal, where students get stuck, and how to get through it.

6 min read

What to Look for in a Calculus Tutor (From Someone Who's Been Doing This 10+ Years)

Not all calculus tutors are equal. Here are 4 things that actually matter when choosing a tutor — from a tutor who's been doing this for over a decade.

5 min read

AP Calculus Exam Countdown: What to Focus on 8 Weeks Out

With 8 weeks until the AP Calculus exam, here's exactly where you should be, what to prioritize, and how to make the most of the time you have left.

5 min read

How Strong AP Calculus Scores Strengthen College Applications

AP Calculus isn't just about college credit — strong performance signals readiness to admissions committees. Here's how it helps your child's application.

5 min read

The Real Cost of Failing College Calculus: Tuition, Time, and GPA

Failing college calculus costs more than a bad grade. Here's the full picture — extra tuition, delayed graduation, GPA damage, and how to prevent it.

6 min read

AP Calculus AB vs BC: Which One Should Your Child Take?

Not sure whether your child should take AP Calculus AB or BC? Here's the honest breakdown of differences, difficulty, college credit, and who each exam is for.

5 min read

Finding the Right Calculus Tutor: Why One Explanation Style Isn't Enough

If calculus tutoring didn't work before, the problem might not have been your child. It might have been the approach. Here's what to look for.

6 min read

What Makes Calculus Harder Than Every Other Math Class?

Why do students who aced algebra suddenly struggle in calculus? It's not about intelligence — it's a fundamental shift in how math works.

6 min read

From a B-Minus to a 5: How Focused AP Calculus Prep Makes the Difference

A real story of how one AP Calculus student went from struggling with a B- to scoring a 5 on the exam — and what made the difference.

5 min read

AP Calculus BC Formula Sheet: Every Formula You Need for Exam Day

The College Board doesn't give you a formula sheet on AP Calculus BC exam day. Here's everything you need to have memorized, organized by topic.

5 min read

Does Online Calculus Tutoring Actually Work? Here's What 10 Years Taught Me

Skeptical about online math tutoring? After 10+ years and hundreds of students, here's the honest truth about what works, what doesn't, and why.

5 min read

Getting Help Early in College Calculus: Why Proactive Students Win

The best time to get a calculus tutor isn't after you fail an exam — it's before the first one. Here's why proactive help changes outcomes.

6 min read

Why Students Who Aced Pre-Calculus Struggle in Calculus

Your child got an A in precalculus. Now they're struggling in calculus. Here's why the transition is harder than expected and what to do about it.

5 min read

Why a Good Calculus Tutor Explains Things Differently Than Your Teacher

If calculus isn't clicking, you might not need a better teacher — you might need a different explanation. Here's why approach matters more than repetition.

7 min read

Why 300-Student Lecture Halls Are Failing Your College Student in Calculus

College calculus lectures with 200-300 students aren't designed for individual learning. Here's why the system fails and what parents can do about it.

7 min read

Sequences and Series in AP Calculus BC: Why Everyone Struggles (And How to Fix It)

Sequences and series is the AP Calculus BC topic that trips up the most students. Here's what to focus on, which convergence tests matter, and how to study.

5 min read

AP Calculus Tutoring Builds More Than Just Math Skills

AP Calculus tutoring isn't just about grades and exam scores. It builds confidence during the most pressure-filled year of high school.

7 min read

The #1 Mistake Students Make When Studying for Calculus (And What to Do Instead)

Most students study calculus wrong — they re-read notes and watch videos instead of doing the one thing that actually builds exam performance.

6 min read

Your College Student Failed Their First Calculus Exam. Here's What to Do.

If your college student just bombed a calculus exam, here's a step-by-step guide for parents — what to say, what to do, and how to get them back on track.

6 min read

How to Recover From a Bad Calculus Exam (Without Dropping the Class)

Bombed your first calculus exam? Here's a realistic game plan to recover your grade, fix what went wrong, and set yourself up for Exam 2.

6 min read

Why I Became a Calculus Tutor: From Engineering Student to Educator

My story — from nearly watching friends fail out of engineering because of calculus, to building CalcPrep and helping hundreds of students succeed.

6 min read

When Should You Start Preparing for the AP Calculus Exam?

Wondering when to start AP Calculus exam prep? Here's the honest answer, what to do if you're starting late, and why earlier is always better.

5 min read

The Essential Calculus Formulas Every Student Needs to Memorize

Every derivative rule, integral formula, and trig identity you need for calculus success — organized and explained. Plus free downloadable formula sheets.

5 min read

How AP Calculus Scores Can Save You Thousands in College Tuition

A strong AP Calculus score can earn college credit worth thousands. Here's how the math works and what scores you actually need.

7 min read

5 Warning Signs Your Child Is Falling Behind in AP Calculus

Spot the early signs your child is struggling in AP Calculus before a bad grade shows up. Here's what to look for and what to do about it.

6 min read

The 12-Week AP Calculus Exam Prep Plan That Actually Works

A structured 12-week AP Calculus study plan broken into 3 phases. Learn exactly what to review and when to maximize your AP exam score.

5 min read

AP® Calculus FRQ Finder: How to Find and Practice Free Response Questions by Topic

Find AP® Calculus FRQ questions by topic, year, and calculator use. Our free FRQ finder lets you search every recent free response question, filter by unit, and get straight to practice—plus how it helps you study and when to get help.

7 min read

What to Study for AP® Calculus: FRQ Stats and Last-Minute Review Priorities

Which AP® Calculus topics show up most on free response? Use real FRQ statistics to prioritize your review—for AB and BC—and score higher on the exam, especially if you're short on time.

4 min read

How to Prepare for AP® Calculus: A Strategic Approach

Essential strategies and resources to help you excel in your AP® Calculus course and exam.

8 min read

UF Math Tutoring: Expert Help for University of Florida Math Courses

A UF alumnus and college professor tutors Gators in MAC 1105, 1147, 2311, 2312, 2233, 2234, and more. Practical guide to when to get help, which courses we cover, and how to book a session.

13 min read

Mastering MAC 2312: Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 at UF

A practical guide for UF students and parents: what MAC 2312 actually covers, where students get stuck, when to get help, and how to study for exams. Plus resources and tutoring options.

10 min read

Mastering MAC 2311: Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 at UF

A practical guide for UF students and parents: what MAC 2311 actually covers, where students get stuck, when to get help, and how to study for exams. Plus resources and tutoring options.

10 min read

Mastering MAC 1105: Basic College Algebra at UF

A practical guide for UF students and parents: what MAC 1105 College Algebra actually covers, where students get stuck, when to get help, and how to study for exams. Plus resources and tutoring options.

10 min read

Mastering MAC 1114: Trigonometry at UF

A practical guide for UF students and parents: what MAC 1114 Trigonometry actually covers, where students get stuck, when to get help, and how to study for exams. Plus resources and tutoring options.

10 min read

Mastering MAC 1140: Precalculus Algebra at UF

A practical guide for UF students and parents: what MAC 1140 Precalculus Algebra actually covers, where students get stuck, when to get help, and how to study for exams. Plus resources and tutoring options.

10 min read

Mastering MAC 1147: Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry at UF

A practical guide for UF students and parents: what MAC 1147 Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry actually covers, where students get stuck, when to get help, and how to study for exams. Plus resources and tutoring options.

11 min read

Mastering MAC 2233: Survey of Calculus 1 at UF

A practical guide for UF students and parents: what MAC 2233 Survey of Calculus 1 actually covers, where students get stuck, when to get help, and how to study for exams. Plus resources and tutoring options.

11 min read

Mastering MAC 2234: Survey of Calculus 2 at UF

A practical guide for UF students and parents: what MAC 2234 Survey of Calculus 2 actually covers, where students get stuck, when to get help, and how to study for exams. Plus resources and tutoring options.

3 min read

Derivative Rules Simplified: Mastering the Basics

A comprehensive guide to understanding and applying the fundamental rules of differentiation in calculus.

3 min read

Understanding Limits: The Foundation of Calculus

Limits are the fundamental concept that underlies all of calculus. This post explains the intuition behind limits and how they form the basis for derivatives and integrals.