I’m in my junior year of high school and I’m not sure what calculus to take next year. I’m currently enrolled in pre-calculus honors and doing fine.
Perhaps my question is, should I skip to AP Calculus BC? The way I would go about this is by taking honors calculus during the summer and then go into Calc BC. I’ve taken math courses online over the summer before (Algebra 2 Honors) and done well.
Do you think this is a good idea? or should I just stay on my current path and take AP Calculus AB?
I’d take AB during next school year. That assumes you can come up with something equally or more worthwhile to do over the summer.
Are you a STEM major applying to tippy top STEM schools? If so, I would factor that in to your decision - but it wouldn’t be the only factor.
I’m not a fan of rushing a year of math into six weeks or so. It works fine for some students, but when it goes wrong, it tends to be a disaster.
At our HS after Precalc you can take Calc AB or BC in either order. If you’re looking at STEM majors, you might consider BC. Perhaps ask your teachers their advice.
I’d take Calc AB and find something more interesting to do over the summer.
Does calculus BC at your high school require taking the summer course, or can it be taken without the summer course by students who have just completed precalculus? If the latter, taking it next year (without the summer course) is an option, and probably preferred if you are doing well in precalculus and are interested in a math-heavy direction in college.
What is your proposed major for college? If not STEM then just do Calc AB.
If Engineering, then talk to your Pre-calc teacher and see what they recommend.