I’m in 10th grade algrebra 2, I would like to self study and take the AP Calc bc exam and hopefully get a 4/5. Do you guys think that’d be possible? I don’t wanna be a mediocre student I’d like to aim for top colleges.
Thanks for your inputs
If you haven’t taken precalc, absolutely not.
Even if you have, attempting to self-study the equivalent of two college calculus classes would only have a positive outcome in very few situations.
Are you talking about this year? Because that doesn’t make any sense. You’re only a sophomore, and since you’re in algebra 2 that means you’ll reach calc senior year and can take an AP calc class then with the proper preparation and show colleges that you can succeed in difficult AP classes. They aren’t interested in seeing you self study an exam; it’s just not impressive to them and that time can be better spent elsewhere. If you want to do it to get ahead and you have your heart set on accelerating more, perhaps try to take precalc over the summer and you can jump one more year. I don’t see any point in self-studying calc BC, especially as a sophomore in algebra 2 with two more years of high school ahead of you.
Is pre-Calc absolutely necessary for a Calc bc exam because some of my friends said that pre-Calc isn’t a must. Wouldn’t colleges like it if you take the exam because it shows determination and then I would be able to take Calc 3 which is like an actual college class.
It is literally called pre-calculus. You need to do the prerequisite before you could possibly succeed on a calc exam or in a calc class. I think your friends were pulling your leg. And I don’t know much about college admissions, but the general consensus on this site is that colleges would rather you do something you’re passionate about than self-study an AP exam. I’d also add that just because you’re not a math genius doesn’t make you a “mediocre student”. We all have strengths in different areas, but that doesn’t mean you should try to force yourself into being something you’re not.
From which fine universities did these friends get their math degrees? 
It’s called precalculus for a reason. It’s like trying to take AP Spanish after Spanish 2. These classes build upon on another. You’re likely just shooting yourself in the foot if you try to rush through without getting a solid foundation.
FYI, not self studying does not make one not a math genius. Aside from the question of whether the OP should try to self study (and again, I say no), I’m surprised nobody has asked why the OP would want to? S/he is taking Algebra 2 as a sophomore, so is on track to take calculus as a senior, which is the “normal” track for high-performing math students. Colleges admissions places zero value on self-studying AP’s, and the OP has not indicated that the HS has viable post-AP options to explore (and taking AP Stats is not a valid reason to self study calc).
At my daughters school the math order for the top kids is Alg 2/PreCalc, Trig/ Calc A, Then BC. A couple questions. Would the school let you skip the BC class and let you take Calc 3? Also Calc 3 is different depending on the high school and odds are you would have to take it again in College.
You’re only hurting yourself if you don’t build a strong foundation in math. Weak precalc skills will hurt you in calc 1 and 2. Weak calc 1 skills will hurt you in calc 2. Weak calc 1 and 2 skills will hurt you in calc 3. All of those will hurt you in differential equations.
Math builds on itself. The focus should be on learning the material, not rushing to get to a class you think sounds more impressive.
Colleges don’t care (for admissions0 that you took a test…they want to see you get good grades in your HS classes. Colleges want people who will take classes and do well in them, not just people who take placement tests.
If you want to accelerate your math, ask your GC if you can double up on any courses (most build on each other, but some don’t) or see if you can take a class over the summer.
Top colleges expect you to do well in the context of your HS.
Calc BC basically covers college calc 1 and calc 2. My son took Calc BC and is taking Calc 3 fall freshman year. To attempt this exam without having any calc taught to you is very challenging.
You can give it a shot but a 4/5 would be an incredible accomplishment.
Thanks a lot for your guys responses. I thought that colleges only cared for your accelerated courses, but I was wrong. I’ll continue and take pre Calc :). I wanted to discuss which courses would be good for junior year, since course selection is soon (December I think). These are the courses I had in mind; AP Bio, AP chem, AP stats, (maybe AP Lang, I’m not sure because my brother said it’s good to take but idk). Do these courses seem doable or are there others I should add. (I do 3 clubs and a winter sport), just bear that in mind.
What about physics? When do you take that? Thought that was usually junior year science?
Don’t take AP Bio and AP Chem concurrently. In addition to the time commitment required by virtue of being AP’s, each requires a lot of time for labs and lab reports. For many schools, these classes are either double-periods, or require additional time before/after school. Save one for the following year. Also, as mentioned above, you should get a physics course in at some point.
AP Lang is a great class not only for the rigor, but it helps every student write better, which will be invaluable for when the time comes to write application essays.
Don’t take AP Bio and AP Chem concurrently.
Don’t take AP Bio and AP Chem concurrently.
Don’t take AP Bio and AP Chem concurrently.
I’m taking AP physics 1 right now, would AP Physics 2 be better for junior year? If so, which one should I replace with physics?
Not necessarily. As long as you have one physics class in HS, you’re covered for any college. If you want to take AP Physics 2, go ahead, but I would not suggest as a junior doubling up on any subject at the expense of another core subject. So taking 2 sciences and 0 social science or 0 foreign language is probably not a good idea. As for AP Chem and AP Bio, if you take one as a junior and 1 as a senior, it does not matter in which order you take them.
Have you taken Honors Chemistry? Don’t take AP Biology or AP Chemistry without Honors Chemistry first; it’s almost always a prerequisite, and for good reason.