<p>Hey yall, I have several questions regarding the subject of AB Calculus AB/BC itself. </p>
<p>1) What's the structure of the AP Exam itself like? How much is needed for a 5? How many questions per section? Did you find it was more than/just enough time to finish? Are there any "trick" questions that require a high level of mathematical logic (like AMC questions) or are the Calculus questions presented fairly straightforward (plug in formulas, understand concepts)?</p>
<p>2) Either when you took the course or self-studied, what was the study structure like? Is the "secret" to understanding AP Calculus concepts within frequent exposure to practise questions; or something else (like a seasoned teacher, etc.)? Did you find you had lots of "homework" before you fully understood the concepts? Did you need a lot of time for the concepts to sink in?</p>
<p>3) And finally: a) Did you find the Calculus course difficult? b) Did you find any of the AP Calculus tests difficult?</p>
<p>I took the '97 AB exam, I think it was, as a practice so it wasn't for real in that sense, but it was administered the same. I found that there were several problems that weren't just straight plug and chug calculus and those took me a little to think about, a few of them I never got. It's these 5% or so of questions that take time. Everything else was pretty easy. We took it after finishing the AB material in BC this year and we pretty much just went over the basic stuff, did some examples on the board, and then had hw. That system works very well for me. Most of the concepts were with me within a day or two, and I always had everything down before test day. The first semester was pretty easy for me (100,100, 96 exam) so I didn't think it was bad at all. The exam itself was the most difficult AB exam ever administered, in terms of statistics. So, the few problems I found difficult were the analyzation and more abstract questions. I ended up getting 29/45 MC right, I think. Which combined with the essay scaled to a 5 I believe. But bear in mind that this was the most difficult AB exam ever made, seriously.</p>
<p>Stewart's Single Variable Calculus, 5th edition. ISBN: 0534393667. I'm not using a prep book. I have to be honest and say that I've never really used the book to "learn" anything. My teacher is pretty good with teaching the essence of a subject so I only look at the book for proofs and derivations (which he doesn't cover as the majority of the class doesn't care or have the ability to understand). I think that's pretty much it, but if you have a specific question feel free to ask.</p>
<p>Thank you again Patrick. Also, implying from your words; is it safe to say that there is no perfect 900+ page text? That materials cannot replace hard work and determination? Would you say Calculus can be learned one way or another?</p>
<p>I don't think any text is perfect, although I didn't mean to imply that one can't learn the essentials from the text. I just don't need to because my teacher does an adequate job. As far as learning the plug n chug basics, the book does a pretty good job from what I've seen. It goes through a basic intro or derivation and then presents the essential formula or bit of info in a red box and then shows an example or two.
I don't think anything replaces hard work and determination, although natural aptitude can lessen their importance. Calculus, to me, isn't the beast everyone makes it out to be. If you learn your facts, theorems, and formulas and how to apply them you shouldn't have a problem. Whether this is best done by reading and teaching yourself or having someone show you is a personal thing. For me, it's much easier to sit and listen for 45 minutes and not have to worry about it. However, I think it is very possible to self study.
Stewart's text is very good and I'd recommend it to teach yourself with, or as a supplement. I don't think prep books serve much of a purpose other than their practice questions (which is all I've used them for). I think the actual learning should absolutely be done with a text.
But, hopefully someone will chime in and give their opinion also, because there's more than one way to skin a cat.</p>