<p>So next year I have the chance to take either AP Calc AB or AP Calc BC.</p>
<p>I'm in PreCalc Honors this year as a junior, and we are currently completing the 'A' portion of Calculus. I have about a B+ average, and I'm understanding the concepts. However, the more difficult problems and finer details sometimes trip me up. In addition, the teacher I have right now is significantly easier than the BC teacher, so it would be a big jump.</p>
<p>If I took AB next year, it would almost certainly be a breeze. I've talked to current seniors and everyone is telling me to take AB, because it will be an easy AP. I am also taking AP Euro, AP English Lit, and AP Spanish Lit next year, in addition to Physics Honors.</p>
<p>So, bottom line is that BC will be very challenging. I could probably get a B with a LOT of work, and a 3 is probably a safe bet on the exam. However, in AB, I could get a fairly easy A and a definite 4/5.</p>
<p>I have been in honors math for as long as possible, and I want to study biology/go pre-med in college. I'm looking at top tier schools, possibly Ivies. </p>
<p>Which class would all you CCers recommend I take?</p>
<p>Go for AB, for sure. Set yourself up for success.</p>
<p>I’m just not sure how it will look to colleges if I’ve been taking the highest level math for all of high school, then don’t senior year…</p>
<p>more opinions?</p>
<p>It will look fine, because it’s the next logical progression in your track of math courses.</p>
<p>It’s best to go with AB. I’m currently in AB and was in your situation last year. There’s a difference between AB and BC. AB is the beginning of Calculus concepts while BC is a continuing class of AB but with harder concepts.</p>
<p>I would suggest Calculus BC. BC Calculus is not THAT much more difficult than AB, and a good portion of BC (and AB) is conceptual. You also need to remember that your BC class will (or at least, should) go over the A material in class, which will allow you to strengthen your knowledge there. I think that the more practice you get, you can do pretty well, and it might not require as much work as you would expect.</p>
<p>I took BC this year as a sophomore (along with 3 other AP classes), and I’m sure I got a 5 on the AP test. Though I’m more of a math person, I think that BC isn’t as difficult as it seems.</p>
<p>If you’re not doing very well in Precalculus, take AB. I am also a math person but I know people who went straight to BC and failed. While BC is not much more difficult than AB by itself, the teachers made it so. Since your other classes will be tough and you’re apparently not really a “math person” just take AB. You could take BC if you want to, but keep in mind that you will have to do tons of work and be very dedicated to make the A.</p>
<p>Okay, it sounds like AB seems to be the majority. I know that I could probably handle BC if it was the only class I was taking, but seeing as it will be my senior year and I will have 3 other APs, I don’t really want to spend 3 hours on math every night…</p>
<p>Any more opinions would be much appreciated :)</p>
<p>I’m in your situation as of now, and decided to go for AB. As previous posters said, set yourself up for success; you don’t want to try your best for an upsetting score.
HOWEVER, in a financial POV, taking BC and doing well on the AP exam would save you money in college, since in some collegs a 3+ on BC lets you skip Calc 1 and 2 entirely, while AB only lets you skip calc 1 (1 semester).</p>
<p>Also, I’m considering taking the AB class, but self-studying BC outside of school, perhaps with a tutor of some sort. Therefore, you can get an easy A in the class, and get the BC credit to save money later on.
About the self-studying idea, for those who have gone through it, how much time did you have to devote to outside studying?</p>
<p>Last year I got a B+ in precalc, and took AP Calc AB with physics honors(considered the hardest class at our school… the teacher is crazy and has to curve every test like 20 points so people don’t fail) and 2 other AP classes this year. I ended up with an A in the class and I feel at least a 4 coming on the AP exam. I think you should do what Mycoalwin said that way you can decide to take the BC exam only if you are doing well with it.</p>