AP Calc BC worth it?

Test Preparation AP Mathematics & Computer Science
1

<p>This upcoming year is my senior year and I am planning on taking AP Calc BC next year. I took AP Calc AB last year and got a B both semesters and a 3 on the AP test. However, I have to admit I'm not the brightest kid, with only Honors Chem and AP Statistics under my belt (I'm taking Stat this upcoming year). I have a 3.7, but plan on attending Syracuse University or Miami University with no plans at all of majoring in Mathematics. I don't want to bomb Calc BC and have it affect my chances of being admitted into these schools. Suggestions? Should I take it? Is AP Calc BC that difficult with AP Calc AB already attained?</p>

2

<p>No, don’t take it. Most people who have had AB start off in BC really strong for about 4 weeks, and then it’s seriously an uphill climb from that point onward unless you are really good in calc. In our school, AB is supposed to be the end of the line for Calc, and those who took HNs pre-Calc go on to BC where the first couple of weeks are a review of AB – but it may be totally different in your school. Have you thought about AP Env Sci? Or maybe AP Comp Sci?</p>

3

<p>what are your alternatives to taking BC Calc?</p>

4

<p>It’s sad that all your care about is college admissions; take BC Calculus if you WANt to learn. Seriously, its about what YOU want. Don’t take useless AP classes (for you), which won’t help you whatsoever in the future. </p>

5

<p>Well, think of it differently. Bs in Calculus AB aren’t bad at all. BC is like 75% AB, so maybe you can review those topics and gain strength. Especially if you have a different teacher. I’d say go for it. Remember you can always drop the class. Tell your teacher about this situation. </p>

6

<p>Math is always worth taking, no matter what you want to do in the future. Of course, if you totally hate math and you were never good at it, don’t bother stressing out and taking it just for the sake of looking good. </p>

7

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<p>I generally agree and would lean toward taking BC Calculus if ALL of the following are true:

  1. You are possibly interested in any STEM major (or finance or economics which can have heavy math components, or alternatively plan to take any social science major that would require Calculus based Statistics)
  2. You are pretty sure the BC Calculus teacher is a good teacher
  3. You aren’t putting a crazy amount of stress on yourself</p>

<p>Presumably at most schools you can drop AP classes at the semester break if the schedule turns out to be too hard - but you should doublecheck that.</p>

8

<p>Is AB a prereq for BC. In our school, the top kids just take BC after precalc. </p>

<p>If the normal sequence is AB then BC, then I might pass. However, if BC has a precalc prereq, then it will give you an opportunity to really learn AB calculus well enough to ace it, then I would jump at the chance. </p>