AP Precalculus 1-Month Study Plan

You have 4 weeks until exam day. This calendar breaks the AP Precalculus curriculum into manageable daily chunks, with progressive difficulty and three full mock exams. Aim for 1–2 hours per day of focused study.

Week 1: Polynomial & Rational Foundations

Day	Topic	Review (20 min)	Practice (40 min)	Key Goal
Mon	Polynomial end behavior & zeros	Degree + leading coeff rule; factored form	12 MCQs + sketch 2 graphs	End behavior automatic
Tue	Polynomial local extrema	Critical points, turning points	10 MCQs + analyze turning behavior	Distinguish multiplicity (touch vs cross)
Wed	Rational asymptotes (vertical & horizontal)	Set denom = 0; compare degrees for $y = \frac{\text{const}}{1}$	15 MCQs; identify asymptotes from equations	Spot vertical asymptotes in 10 sec
Thu	Rational holes & slant asymptotes	Common factors; polynomial long division	10 MCQs + 1 division problem	Perform division cleanly
Fri	Polynomial long division applications	Use to reduce rational functions	8 MCQs + 1 full FRQ analyzing a rational function	Write asymptotes + sketch from analysis
Sat	Cumulative review: Poly & Rational	Skim all Week 1 formulas	20 mixed MCQs (no calc)	Fluency across both topics
Sun	Light day or rest	Review errors from Sat	5 quick drill problems on weak area	Consolidate learning

Week 1 checkpoint: You should identify end behavior and all asymptotes of a rational function in under 3 minutes.

Week 2: Exponential, Logarithmic & Growth Models

Day	Topic	Review (20 min)	Practice (40 min)	Key Goal
Mon	Exponential functions & growth/decay	$a \cdot b^t$ vs $a e^{kt}$ ; identify $b$ or $k$	12 MCQs + interpret 3 models	Know growth factor vs growth rate
Tue	Logarithm properties & change of base	Product, quotient, power rules; $\log_b(x) = \frac{\ln(x)}{\ln(b)}$	14 MCQs + expand/condense 4 log expressions	Apply all properties fluently
Wed	Solving exponential & log equations	Isolate, take log; exponentiate to clear log	15 MCQs + solve 5 equations	Solve $2^x = 50$ and $\ln(x+3) = 2$ in your head
Thu	Exponential modeling (FRQ-style)	Set up model, interpret initial/growth, predict	1 full FRQ + 8 MCQs verifying predictions	Write complete model with interpretation
Fri	Logarithmic modeling (real-world context)	Interpret log model; solve for time/quantity	1 full FRQ + 8 MCQs	Scale model interpretation (e.g., decibels, pH)
Sat	Mock Exam 1	30 min: skim all formulas from Weeks 1–2	Full 80-min timed practice exam (40 MCQ + 4 FRQ)	Measure readiness; identify weak units
Sun	Error analysis + rest	Review Mock Exam 1; categorize errors	Re-solve 5 problems you missed	Build error-fixing habit

Week 2 checkpoint: You can write a complete exponential or log model and make predictions from it.

Week 3: Trigonometry & Sinusoidal Modeling

Day	Topic	Review (20 min)	Practice (40 min)	Key Goal
Mon	Unit circle & special angles	Reference angles; $\sin(\pi/6) = 1/2$ , etc.	15 MCQs on trig values + exact circle	Recall all special angles instantly
Tue	Basic trig graphs: sine & cosine	Amplitude, period, domain, range	12 MCQs + sketch $y = \sin(x)$ and $y = \cos(x)$	Draw graphs from memory
Wed	Trig transformations	Apply $a$ , $b$ , $c$ , $d$ to $f(x) = a\sin(b(x-c)) + d$	18 MCQs; sketch $y = 3\sin(2(x - \pi/4)) - 1$	Identify all 4 parameters from a graph
Thu	Inverse trig functions	Ranges of $\sin^{-1}$ , $\cos^{-1}$ , $\tan^{-1}$ ; solving equations	10 MCQs + solve $\sin^{-1}(0.5)$ and $\tan^{-1}(1)$	Know inverse ranges cold; avoid sign traps
Fri	Sinusoidal modeling (FRQ focus)	Real-world periodic context; write model + interpret	2 full modeling FRQs (e.g., temperature, light)	Identify amplitude, period, midline, phase shift correctly
Sat	Mock Exam 2	30 min: skim Weeks 1–3	Full 80-min timed exam	Track improvement; focus on trig speed
Sun	Review trig transformations + rest	Re-work any transformation problems you rushed	Light drill: 5 phase-shift problems	Solidify transformation intuition

Week 3 checkpoint: You write a sinusoidal model and identify all parameters from a real-world description (no calculator).

Week 4: Polar, Parametric, Vectors, Matrices & Final Prep

Day	Topic	Review (20 min)	Practice (40 min)	Key Goal
Mon	Parametric equations & conversion	Eliminate parameter; recognize ellipse, circle, line	10 MCQs + convert 4 parametric systems	Convert parametric → Cartesian smoothly
Tue	Polar coordinates & conversion	$x = r\cos(\theta)$ , $y = r\sin(\theta)$ ; polar → Cartesian	12 MCQs + convert $r = 4\cos(\theta)$	Identify polar curves (circles, roses, spirals)
Wed	Vectors: magnitude, direction, operations	$\\|{\bf v}\\|$ , dot product, angle between vectors	10 MCQs + compute 3 dot products & magnitudes	Fluent vector arithmetic
Thu	Matrices & transformations	Multiplication, inverses (2×2), solving $A{\bf x} = {\bf b}$	8 MCQs + compute 2 matrix inverses + 1 system	Solve systems via matrix inverse confidently
Fri	Full cumulative review	Skim all 4 units; prioritize your weak topic	25 mixed MCQs (all topics) + skim 2 FRQ templates	Fluency across all units
Sat	Mock Exam 3	20 min: bullet-point formula review only	Full 80-min timed exam under exam conditions	Final diagnostic; measure final readiness
Sun	Error analysis + light review	Review Mock 3; drill ONLY the 2–3 topics where you lost points	Last-Minute Review checklist	Rest, confidence-building

Week 4 checkpoint: You score 65%+ on Mock 3 (equivalent to a 4 or 5 on the actual exam).

If you're behind schedule

Weak on polynomials/rationals? Extend Week 1 by 3 days; compress Week 4 to 2 days (parametric is lower-yield).
Struggling with trig? Extend Week 3 by 4 days; reduce parametric/polar practice.
Short on time before exam? Skip Week 4 detailed topics and run two full mocks (Weeks 2 and 3), focusing error analysis.

Study habits for success

💡 Daily rhythm: Study at the same time each day. Consistency beats cramming.

Habit	Reason
Use the graphing calculator for every graph	You'll have one on exam day; don't learn it then.
Write every FRQ solution fully (not shorthand)	FRQ rubrics demand written work; practice the habit.
Time yourself on each practice set	Speed + accuracy both matter; rushing loses points.
Review wrong answers only	Don't waste time re-reading correct ones.

Before exam week

Days 21–28: Run one full mock every 2 days (time yourself; full 80 min, no breaks except stretch).
2 days before exam: Last-Minute Review only. No new problems.
Night before: Sleep 8+ hours. Do not study.

Ready to start Week 1?

Open polynomial end behavior practice →. Commit to the calendar. Trust the process. 🎯

Need daily check-ins? Review the FRQ practice guide after each mock to strengthen weak FRQ types.