<p>I'm a tenth grader, and definitely not the greatest math student. I'm actually in Geometry, and barely holding on with a B- (I have high As in every other subject.) However, I realise that I need some kind of advanced math to get into one of the Ivies; despite the fact that I am getting my degree in English Literature. </p>
<p>Since I am more humanities-based, would AP Stats be a better choice?</p>
<p>Surprisingly enough, however, I have Princeton Review's AP Calculus AB/BC 2012 book and I'm having no trouble with it. I really enjoy it. I'm just afraid of what my score will be when I actually take the test, though... </p>
<p>So should I continue self studying AP Calc or just self study AP Stats?</p>
<p>Both my daughters were strong math students and both took AP Stats and AP Calculus BC at their high school. They also score 5’s on both exams. I can’t imagine them self-studying for any AP math. I really think you need the teacher and the class structure unless you really love math and have an amazing aptitude for it. </p>
<p>Both took IB History of the Americas and got 5’s on APUSH. One took a half semester of regular US government and got a 5 on AP Gov with some self-study. Could you self-study a social studies and double up on Math during your junior year?</p>
<p>My counselor won’t let me double up on math; nor will he let me go into honors geometry (which doesn’t really make sense because they are on the same chapter as us…) </p>
<p>I can only self study. however, I’m pretty solid with science. starting from freshman year, this is my science schedule:</p>
<p>Honors Bio
Honors Chem
AP Bio w/ honors physics<br>
AP Chem w/ honors anatomy </p>
<p>I have to self study some math…whether it be AP stats or AP calc…
I’m really bad at geometry…but pretty good in algebra. I don’t necessarily see the need for geometry…all math courses should go
algebra I
algebra II w/ trig
pre-calculus
AP Calculus AB/BC (or AP Statistics) or whatever math you’d like to take</p>
<p>Many students don’t like geometry but is a building block for higher math. Where are you parents on this? Maybe they should talk to the counselor. Have you considered taking a math course over the summer to catch up? You are right, that most top candidates for college have had AP Calculus. Also, there is a reason you take pre-calculus before Calculus. If you self-study, the only evidence you have is your AP Score, no class grades and it is a hard AP test even with taking the class.</p>
<p>I don’t think you should self-study science either. Have you ever taken
an AP test?</p>
<p>Also while I like AP Statistics, it is a more of an elective math which shouldn’t be a priority for you.</p>
<p>I agree with Moreover’s post, but if your merely wondering which test is easier to self study for, then it is definitely ap stats.</p>
<p>I took ap stats last year and received a 5. this year I’m enrolled in AP Calc BC and its very difficult, i could not imagine teaching myself that on my own. Especially because the broad range of topics requires the class to do a different topic every single day with no time for review for tests.</p>
<p>Stats was much more of a memorization test and you are also allowed to use the calculator on the entire exam, which if used properly is a tremendous benefit.</p>
<p>for some one with a strong background in math and has already taken ap calculus bc and scored a 5, will self studying AP Stats course be easy ? If so, will just going thru Princeton review help secure a 5? any recommendations?</p>
<p>Statistics is not intuitive, yet it would be much easier to learn than calculus as well as more practical in many most humanities. Pre-Calc is an unnecessary course and Algebra 2 is sufficient before learning AB calculus. If you are looking at Ivy schools then you are smart enough to do well self-studying either of these courses, but your best bet is to take both. Remember the engineers and scientists also have to be excellent writers for Ivies.</p>