<p>I am currently in geometry, and this fall I'll be in Algebra II/Trigonometry as a junior. I would really like to take Calculus instead, so I could take AP Calc BC senior year. The thing is I can't take move on unless I take the NYS Regents in Algebra II/Trig, and the next exam is next January. </p>
<p>I was wondering what might be the best option:
-Take Alg2/Trig junior year and go to AP Calc BC senior year (which I'm afraid will be a huge gap)</p>
<p>-Take an online Alg2/Trig course/self study over the summer and beg the math department head to put me in Calc (my only concern is whether I'd be allowed to go AND I tried taking geometry last summer and it didn't work out so well because I got too lazy and I fear that I'll look like I'm not capable of moving on even though I really have the drive to study this summer)</p>
<p>-Take Alg2/Trig while self studying AP Calc AB and then move on to AP Calc BC (I'm afraid that it'll be hard to study two math classes at once)</p>
<p>I'm not really looking to major in math, I just feel sort of behind in my math sequence. I would like to go further. I can't ask my guidance counselor or the math department because we're pretty much out of school. I would have to taln to them in September.</p>
<p>It’s a huge gap either way… Especially if you aren’t a very strong math student. If math isn’t what you want to pursue later, just let it go. Other areas of your app can compensate if college is what you’re worried about.</p>
<p>One way that might work is, if you have room in your schedule for 2 math classes, take them simultaneously. Self-studying without a good foundation is suicide. If you really care about ‘catching up’, make room in your schedule for it. Or if you think you can really do it, skip alg 2/trig, but don’t do it unless you’re sure they will let you into calc, otherwise you will spend a year in the wrong math class… it happened to me. Trust me, it sucks.</p>
<p>It’s just that I feel like I’m not challenging myself enough. I’m generally a good math student when I’m motivated enough, and I would love to challenge myself further. It’s not that I think Alg2/Trig is super easy, I just want to take AP Calc BC by senior year. And unfortunately I don’t have any room in my schedule to take two math classes AND I don’t know how to be sure I could get into (regular) Calc.</p>
<p>Depending on what state you live in, have you looked into any online state schools? In my state, you can take anywhere from a full course load to one or two classes online, and they offer just about every AP course. Maybe you could look into an AP that would challenge you without being an AP math? If your state doesn’t have such a program, try talking to your counselor and seeing if your school will accept credit by taking the class you want on Florida Virtual School.</p>
<p>It would be hard getting in contact with my counselor, but I suppose it’s worth trying. I checked online schools and there doesn’t seem to be any accredited ones in NY for a decent price.</p>
<p>It’s not a huge gap, don’t worry. AP Calculus BC is intended to be taken directly after Algebra 2/Trigonometry. It’ll just require a bit more work on your part than AB would, as BC is more comprehensive.</p>
<p>Precalculus generally includes the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Trigonometry (the vast majority of the course)</li>
<li>Complex numbers (a good chunk of the course, almost completely useless for Calculus BC)</li>
<li>Polar/Parametric coordinates (this is covered in BC again, so no need to worry).</li>
</ul>
<p>The OP should be fine with Algebra II/Trigonometry. My school calls the high school math courses Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, and AB/BC, so I’m not sure of the exact content of that particular course, but it should be enough for calculus.</p>
<p>First, just somehow find a way to figure out if it is possible to skip right to calculus (if the counselor is not available, maybe find a student who tried the same thing?). Usually, they make you take a test that you have to get a set grade on.</p>
<p>Weeknd has a good idea that might work if you really want to do this, but it’ll take a lot of your time, so just be sure before you start.</p>
<p>Pre-calc is just called calculus in my school. I think I could. I can grasp concepts pretty well even when I get lazy (meaning I can pass) and if I’m motivated I think I can do better than just pass. But then again I don’t know yet if I can’t be put into calculus.</p>