<p>“It seems to me that it would be more advantageous for them to split up geometry and algebra II into two years so they can be solid on the basics.”</p>
<p>it seems that with today’s high school mathematics program’s rat race to calculus, kids skim and overlook crucial mathematical concepts and critical thinking skills. I assume that these freshman that are taking AP calc BC are the same kids who are complaining about how great they are in math class but how they struggle to break 700 on the SAT. </p>
<p>In my experience, AP classes are much more difficult than the AP tests.Now it may be possible to teach kids the bare minimum to pass by the AP test in freshman year, but I doubt that 25 kids can handle the workload and logic required for a ‘real’ AP class. My guess is that maybe 1 or 2 actually understand it, while the others get by on memorization and easy tests. </p>
<p>It is completely ridiculous to put a freshman in a college level math or science course.</p>
<p>Not really. There are kids who are that good at math. The “workload and logic” required for calc BC aren’t that great. It’s really mostly memorization with very little justification, especially when you do the “formulas” for differentiating and integrating. It’s not a college course either.</p>
<p>I was not too mathematically mature as a sophmore but I did fine in calc. I believe that if my earlier math classes went faster I could have done it freshman year or 8th grade. And some people get that, and strengthen their <precal skills in competition math.</p>
<p>Anyhow, I’m guessing that it is rare to take the exam as a freshman. The lowest grade that is still considered normal (to me at least) to take calc in is sophmore year, so the freshman people are going to be the outliers. In a context, I see around 15-20 kids take it sophmore year every year and on average I see someone take it freshman year once in 2 or 3 years.</p>
<p>You know…people can do whatever they want, but I don’t believe that taking ap calculus bc and getting a 5 freshman year or sophomore year really make an impacting decision on college acceptance. Having taken that class is what matters more than when you took the class. Sure it displays that you were able to take an AP class, but does that really give you an advantage over another kid who took it his senior year? You both took it and got a 5. There’s no difference because you just follow the path the school has allowed you take.</p>
<p>And also, a majority of schools refuse to let freshman take AP classes. I mean a majority of private schools allow APs to only seniors and juniors for special reasons.</p>
<p>my son went to an amazing math camp this summer and was blown away by the talent there. the kids are just passionate about math and were excited to spend a month learning and being with other kids who felt the same way.
i guess if you think of AP’s as just a bunch of tests to do to compete for college that is one thing,but another view might be that these kids love math and can do it…they are passionate about it (like another kid may be about baseballetc) and it is cool that they have the opportunity to enjoy higher level classes.
not for everyone of course (just like language AP or football etc) but is is wonderful to have the options for those who are passionate about a subject to have the chance to learn more…</p>
<p>Well you took it as a sophomore. There is a huge difference in taking it as a freshman and taking it as a sophomore. The most accelerated students in my school can start with Precalc and then move on to Calc BC. As sophomores, you have been exposed to enough of your high school to know your strengths and weaknesses. Oh and Calc BC, which is equivalent to Calculus II, is a college course since you receive college equivalent credits via AP or IB scores. </p>
<p>Going in freshman year, you have no idea what to expect. You are used to middle school classes. Most times, your middle school classes are much smaller. There are so many things to get started up freshman year, like getting into clubs or finding your new friends to add onto your old friends. Thats why maturity plays a big role into this, as how long it takes you to adjust depends on your maturity.</p>
<p>I guess the OP is pretty set on taking this freshman year. I don’t advise this at all, but it doesn’t seem anything I say against this issue will make him/her change his/her mind. </p>
<p>Anyways, if you really are up to it, review some old precalc stuff. Trigonometric identities would help to memorize and you should start getting a little into the book. Use the rest of the summer to review. Its definitely going to be hard, so you need to be as prepared as you can be. Try to ask the teacher as many questions as possible and have a good relationship with him/her. If you are having too much difficulty, don’t be afraid to ask for help!</p>
<p>“The “workload and logic” required for calc BC aren’t that great. It’s really mostly memorization with very little justification, especially when you do the “formulas” for differentiating and integrating. It’s not a college course either.”</p>
<p>i’m guessing you had a very very easy class that just focused on the essentials. The average AP math and science class is not mostly memorization.</p>
<p>My math program, UMTYMP draws kids from all over the area to take advanced math at the University of Minnesota, so at least where I’m from taking calc bc as a ninth grader isn’t that rare and there are some eighth graders too. My school also has a kid who took graduate level math at age 13 and another one who took calc bc at age 12. This is a non magnet inner city public school. Taking calc bc as a ninth grader isn’t that rare or impressive.</p>
<p>Yeah, whatever you say. Most inner city non-magnet public schools probably don’t even have Calc BC as a class. And yet you say you have two people who are that insane at math? Attending an inner city public school, when in all reality they’d either be at university or some private school on scholarship at that point? And you go on to say that taking Calc BC, a class that the vast majority of HYPSM admittees take as a junior or senior, isn’t impressive when being taken in ninth grade? Sure. That makes a lot of sense. </p>
<p>This really isn’t as funny as you probably think it is. The OP has a serious question, and you’re just ■■■■■■■■ on here.</p>
<p>I don’t know why you would want to take it as a freshman, but all the more power to you. To be honest, I’m sure TONS of people could have taken Calc as a freshman, but that is what is wrong with our education system. Kids don’t get to progress as fast as they are able to. If you are doing it just to be “impressive”, I would say don’t. Have you taken alg 1 through pre-calc?</p>
<p>Also, if you are on here simply to “gloat” about being in Calc as a freshman, we don’t care.</p>
<p>If the original poster is still reading, go for it. Calculus is not as hard as people tell you it is, and there’s no reason you won’t be able to pull it off.</p>
<p>As for the social ramifications of this, I know a guy in my grade who did AB Freshman year and he actually ended up making friends with a lot of the juniors and seniors, which helped him figure out a lot of good schedule tricks for high school. It was actually a boon.</p>
<p>pretty much…
unless your a Christian soldier. </p>
<p>you need to balance work and play. the rat race doesn’t stop. i’ve known people who think, “i’ll work my ass off in high school and then get a life in college.” then in college they think they’ll have fun after college. then they think they need to focus on their job and put off having fun. then, at some point, they think they’re too old to have fun.</p>
<p>I’m just saying you need to have fun at certain points, and pulling a paris hilton is a great way to do that.</p>
<p>Yeah, this is probably true to an extent. It can get really annoying sometimes. But, kids will also probably hate this guy if he takes BC as a sophomore. The OP may also find that some of the upperclassmen in the class will probably hate him. If you’re chill and average in the class, they won’t care. But if you’re setting the curve, being really nerdy, and being a really immature person in general (some, or all, of which is kinda likely) they’ll hate you. A lot.</p>