Calculus AB or BC?

<p>I'm currently going into my junior year of high school, with pre-calculus as my level in maths. I know it's somewhat early to decide, but I just want to have some type of plan. Should I skip calc AB, and go into BC? I'm not really a maths person, but I am willing to put work in to do well, especially since I love science (and I know maths is necessary for success in science). So far, I've taken geometry, algebra 2, and trig, with A's in all three.</p>

<p>I'm concerned with skipping AB though, even with the fact that calc BC covers it (a lot more quickly) in the first semester, because I don't think I am a math person (it takes me an inordinate amount of time to understand many concepts) and I will have other difficult classes (AP physics and AP bio, with classes like English and Spanish giving their busy work), so I won't be able to sit for hours every night trying to decipher the lesson from that day. I feel like I need to take BC though, because I'm planning on going into engineering and many other people who I know have skipped AB, and are in BC this year (junior year), while I'm only going into pre-calc! I've asked a few other people, all of them giving me answers spread across the board (the head of the maths department at school said it isn't worth it to skip because a) colleges weight AB and BC the same and b) there's too much information in AB to simply skip; my parents think it's too difficult; other students and my algebra 2 teacher all say I should do it). I'm aiming for high-level colleges, and so far my grades support me in that endeavour, but I'm wondering if not taking BC will a) hurt my chances of getting in and b) if I do get accepted, I will be behind my peers. In the end, I really do just want to learn it all, but my concern is that rushing it could hurt me more than help.</p>

<p>bc</p>

<p>Go with BC, you seem to be doing well in math so far. Its also good that you challenge yourself. </p>

<p>AP Calculus BC, the fact that you’re devoted to math and wanting to go into engineering, makes BC the better choice since it will make you a better candidate for the college admissions, specifically engineering. </p>

<p>AB = Calculus I in 1 year
BC = Calculus I + Calculus II in 1 year</p>

<p>It will be tough, but it is for the sake of preparing to major in engineering, it will help most likely. </p>

<p>BC will be more intensive, since it basically covers two semesters of college Calculus (while AB only covers one). So if you are willing to take the challenge, go for it! Just make sure you are solid on all of the pre-calculus topics, because you NEED to know them for the course.</p>

<p>Go AB and then BC, unless you plan on taking BC this year and then taking Calc 3 your senior year</p>

<p>This way you’ll have time to work on your other subjects and next year when you take BC you’ll already know half of the material.</p>