Failing ap calculus

<p>My AP Calc AB teacher is notoriously hard. I study so much...and I average around 3-6 hours of sleep every night because of that class. It is just so frustrating that I keep on getting low C's on my tests. I just make the most stupidest mistakes ever. And my teacher makes half the test challenge problems that never appeared on the homework. I just don't know what to do. My friends are having trouble with their other classes...and I don't want to pester them. My math teacher is only available before school, which is the worst time for me, because I am struggling to get off my bed. I know, I am just ranting, and I sound like a spoiled brat, but right now I am just so frustrated I don't know what to do, myself, to make things better. I'm already studying so much my brain is exhausted. Has anyone struggled with Calc AB at the beginning....and were they able to get it later? BTW how hard is it to get into the Berkeley engineering program if you got a B in Calc? I'm guessing a C is an automatic rejection :(. Can anyone tell me about their AP Calc struggles, and how they got through it...hopefully successfully? Any tips? PLEASE REPLY ANYONE WHO CAN.</p>

<p>What I do for Calc AB is I review the chapter ahead of what our class is on during the weekend - I watch KhanAcademy videos typically, and watch some other videos by other Math/Calc teachers. I found that to be quite helpful. I recently took a quiz and I made two stupid errors but ended up with a 95% which happened to be the highest grade in the class, with the average being 40%. So yeah - I recommend trying to get some type of foundation of future topics, the prior exposure will lessen the intensity that you have to study current topics.</p>

<p>I got a D+ on my first Calc AB test (limits are the freaking death of me!)
I ended the semester with a 98 on the final.
Ended the second semester with an A.
Got a 4 on the exam. </p>

<p>You’ll get used to the class. It sounds like you know what to expect on the tests, and you can prepare for it now. If the challenge problems aren’t on the homework… find some in your book or online to practice by yourself. You’ll get the hang of it. </p>

<p>I had to put a lot of effort into Calc AB, but it was worth it. Getting that A and 4 felt really good!</p>

<p>My daughter took AP calc in high school (she’s currently a college freshman). She struggled but ended up learning it and is doing well in calc II in college and so far it’s all review (it’s been a month). </p>

<p>My advice is to get enough sleep each night. My daughter’s senior year was very tough. She took 5 AP classes and self-studied for a 6th, worked 10-15 hours a week, was involved in several clubs and competitions, and she had an active social life. The thing that she missed out on was sleep and she didn’t do so well on her AP tests and I think it was partially due to lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation really does affect people mentally and I assume your sleep deprivation is partly to blame for the mistakes you’re making on your tests. At the very least, try to get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before your tests and see if that helps. I know it sounds lame but just try it and see if it helps.</p>

<p>First you should ask yourself, ‘Do I really understand the material?’ As in, if I ask you to explain the solution to an implicit differentiation problem, could you do so convincingly? Usually I find that if I’m spending many hours on a subject or problem set and getting nowhere then I don’t really know the material. You may want to try that, and review any topics you don’t understand. AP Calculus is not a class you should be staying up at 4am to study for.</p>

<p>There are a lot of resources out there, but I particularly like AoPS’s Calculus curriculum. You can also post any calculus-related questions on the AP Tests forum on CC.</p>

<p>I understand exactly how you feel, because AP calc AB is killing me right now; I wish I got C’s on every test. Right now my test average is about a D. I fail every test and study my TAIL off. Many students don’t really understand because they’re good at math. I personally think math comes natural to others. Their brains are naturally wired for these problem solving type of subjects and some just don’t understand it no matter how hard they try. I’ve tried many methods, repetition, going in for tutoring, watching videos and etc. Today we took a test on limits, and probably failed it. I spent 3 hours studying and I felt pretty good until the teacher handed out the test.</p>

<p>Many people will tell you to work harder or to get more sleep but you know yourself better than anyone on here, not everyone is good at math. Some time ago, I’ve been accused of not studying, not caring and all that good stuff. I came in for tutoring and was given practice sheets for a test. I took the test and failed it. I told my teacher, “You know, not everyone is good at math.” I know I’m terrible at math, but just try. Try different studying techniques, go in for tutoring, ask a friend. Maybe you’ll get better at it, who knows? Just promise me that you won’t give up like I did a while ago lol.</p>

<p>I just got my first test back and we’re in the same boat, I got a 28/40. Hopefully it gets better!!</p>

<p>I took Calculus durong the summer at the local CC. I got a high A.
My teacher is also difficult. My first test is coming up…and I’m really scared. </p>

<p>Someone who can integrate should not have to be nervous about a limits tests…gah!</p>

<p>Still…last year 94% of her kids last year got a 5.</p>

<p>(As far as limits go…if all else fails and you’re allowed to use a calculator, just plug in a few values that get progressively closer to the limit on each side and see what it approaches. You’ll probably get partial credit.)</p>

<p>@halcyonheather - My teacher gave zero credit for limits that were solved with a calculator if it was possible to solve it algebraically. Obviously not all teachers are the same so I can’t vouch for OP, but I think its important to consider different teacher policies etc.</p>

<p>I’m currently a sophomore taking Calculus AB and BC on a block schedule and we’re on the AB portion.
My teacher gives about 20-50 problems every night for homework and it takes about 1.5-3 hours. She’s notorious for her homework but 90% of all her students get 5s on both the AB and BC AP test.</p>

<p>My advice to you would be to read the book, especially if the notes from class aren’t exactly the same as the material in your book. If you don’t understand a section, youtube a video or look it up on khan academy and make sure to do extra practice problems. When you feel overwhelmed by all the math, take a break, eat a snack, walk outside, etc but make sure to get back to the studying after. Look up the answers in the back of your book after you complete the practice problems and if you miss something, go back over it until you get it right, unless you’re positive the book has a typo.</p>

<p>Also, be sure to check your work on tests and quizzes if you have time. Every single problem, and show all your work. I usually check my answers before moving on to the next question and then skim through the work when I’m completed with the test. I’ve made a 97 and 100 on the last two tests, so it seems to work for me. You’ll feel satisfied when/if you find an error and correct it.</p>

<p>Thank you so much guys for the advice and the stories! For those of my fellow strugglers, we got this! To those of you doing well, keep on doing well!</p>