AP/BC Calculus as a sophmore!?!

<p>I'm going into 10th grade this September and I will be taking AP/BC Calculus. I took Geometry and Algebra I in 8th grade and Algebra II/Trig in 9th so the next thing for me would be AP Calc (my school doesn't have precalc). And I'm really worried! I will be swimming 5-7 hours a day in the fall because of my private swim team and high school varsity swim practices combined. Do you think I can handle this? Is AP Calc insanely difficult?</p>

<p>It depends on how good you are at mathematics… It also depends on how much busywork your school demands for the class. Calc is mostly applying the same set of rules and formulae ad infimum, but with a lot of busy work can be a serious pain…</p>

<p>It’s alright in terms of content and as long as you don’t get some teacher who assigns a ****load of homework.</p>

<p>Nah, I took BC my sophomore year and it was really easy. We had practically zero homework though, so if your teacher likes giving out endless amounts of sets for homework, you might get a bit annoyed. Not overwhelmed, probably, but it’s busy work you don’t really need. And that wastes time.</p>

<p>One of my acquaintances took Calc BC as a soph, I think she was on the swim team and lots of other things too. The only thing to be worried about is everyone hating you!</p>

<p>I am taking AP Calc AB/BC my sophomore year like you. I have heard though, that it is not as difficult if you are a really strong math student.</p>

<p>If you’re a strong math student, it should be easy. It’s just calculus.</p>

<p>@truffliepuff: How do you know how it is? Are you not taking it this year? I remember you posting about stuff like that earlier???</p>

<p>From people I heard ap calc bc is hard if you don’t know the concepts from precalc. You need a strong base of that. I’m sorry that your school doesn’t offer precalc. but maybe you should take a quick online precalc class just so you can be prepared. Then you will also feel better.</p>

<p>I took AB as a sophomore and it was hard but not insanely hard. I think you’ll be okay.</p>

<p>I took AP Calc AB at school and calc 2 at a local CC, while being on both the swim team and water polo team. It’s definitely possible if you’re good at math. I honestly didn’'t find it as a challenge.</p>

<p>I’m taking BC Calc straight after Alg 2, and from what I’ve seen and self-taught, I’ll be just fine.</p>

<p>"I will be swimming 5-7 hours a day in the fall because of my private swim team "</p>

<p>Um… I think you’re exaggerating. I’ve never heard of practices (even at college) that long A DAY.</p>

<p>Is there some way you could opt into AP Calculus AB instead of jumping straight to BC? BC moves at a much faster pace, thus I believe in your situation it would be best to take AB seeing how you do not have the most time.</p>

<p>It’s probably best if you learned some pre calc (limits, vectors, etc) first, or on your own at least.</p>

<p>In my school, there were very few sophomores taking Calc BC, but they’ve all taken pre calc. I asked one of the sophomores how it was, and he said that you’d be lucky if you can get an A-. And he’s really smart too! I then asked a junior–who’s one of the smartest kids in my grade–and he said the same thing. </p>

<p>I think in your situation it’s probably best to take either pre calc or AB. BC does move really fast. And from the looks of your schedule it doesn’t look like you can devote some time for BC. Good luck!</p>

<p>I am, historically a failure at math, but i took AB and BC last year (i’m not being redundant, i did it for the gpa boost) and got a 5 on BC. </p>

<p>-from a B- student in freshman Geometry (I’m not a sophomore, i just graduated)</p>

<p>It won’t be hard if you understand Algebra II for what it’s worth.</p>

<p>I took calc BC as a sophomore too while doing sports but definitely not 5-7 hours a day (yeesh thats a lot). If youre the kind of person who needs to study I’d say you might want to go with AB. Of course, you can always give it a try and if the workload seems too hard, switch to AB. Don’t worry, you’re already way ahead of grade level. :)</p>

<p>I hated Calculus…good luck!</p>

<p>As some people have already mentioned, it really depends on your strength in mathematics. Obviously a background in precalculus would help, but if you are already strong in math then you should be fine. As far as homework goes, it shouldn’t be too bad, right? Math (especially calculus) is simple in that the only real homework you can get is a set number of problems each day, so it would only suck if your teacher assigned you a crapload of homework</p>

<p>I know freshmen in Calc Bc</p>

<p>I’m a sophomore this year too, and I’m taking AP Calc too. Don’t sweat it. It probably won’t be particularly easy, but I’m sure we can get through it.</p>