<p>a lot of people jump from trignometry/precalculus/math analysis/whatever previous class to calc BC. you don`t need AB as a prerequisite for BC.</p>
<p>I wouldn't necessary say that BC covers all of AB. Rather, it's more like BC builds on all of AB. It's like Algebra I and II. My Algebra II teacher wouldn't go back to Algebra I concepts, but Algebra II certainly built on Algebra I.</p>
<p>I know in my BC class we didn't touch on anything from last year, just jumped straight into integrating polar curves and sequences/series. I know all of the AB stuff is on the test but if you're in a BC class you shouldn't be wasting your time re-learning AB material until it comes test review time.</p>
<p>As far as colleges are concerned, AB/BC is what I said, 3 semesters of classes. If you haven't taken any calc you're in calc I/"A" when it comes college time. If you don't get a fundamental knowledge of derivatives you're not gonna actually understand the integration techniques even if you can do them (ie substitution is backwards chain rule, by parts is backwards product rule, etc). On the AB/BC test where it is their intention to have you write essays explaining yourself, it would be smarter (especially if you plan to continue math in college) to understand AB material first.</p>
<p>But hey if you're just looking for AP credits and don't really care about calc, and can pull off all the material in BC and AB for the BC test, go for it. I took Calc II after having taken AB at my school last year and have the same credit as a 5 on BC for relearning integration (not even kidding, same book same homework). I mean really BC is so much more work. If you're trying to get out of work take Calc II at a college class. But that assumes you know derivatives and all the other fun stuff from Calc I/"A." I'm taking BC at my school to learn all the stuff I wimped out of. Then taking Calc III this spring semester.</p>
<p>Yea. Good luck!</p>
<p>if BC calc was a joke, everyone would take it. Theres a reason that in most schools only the very top math students take BC. The people that posted that may be in a school where most people take it as a sophomore, you have to realize that most schools arent like that, and if you arent one of the very best math students you wouldnt even take BC, much less find it to be a "joke."
I am currently in BC and I have an A average, but I have to work very hard to maintain this and I dont find it easy at all, yet I dont consider myself stupid. I guess some of you probably do, because you got a 5 on BC in like 6th grade, but that isnt a reason to put everyone else down.</p>
<p>bc is a nightmare at my school. you're lucky if you get a b in the course. but then, like half the class gets 5s, so it's ok..</p>
<p>more than half the BC class gets 5's at my school as well, and the class average is about an 85, probably a little lower, so it is very hard here as well</p>
<p>I wouldn't say I'm a genius or anything. I've stated that I had an excellent teacher--there were kids who were struggling in normal science (like basics physics, chem, or bio), yet the whole class got 5s, while 2 people got 4s. 95% of his kids get 5s because he teaches well. Sorry if I sounded like an ass, I didn't mean to talk down to anybody, but it goes to show you that BC isn't impossible.</p>
<p>My school system kind of sucks math-wise. We have Algebra II/Trig Soph year, then Pre Calc/H Calc I (Basically wimped down AB) Junior Year. Thing is, about 1/2 of the AB material isn't covered, so one has to learn the rest on their own. So you take AB at the end of Jr year and I got a 4 mainly just as I hadn't gone over most of the material. Moral of the story is that if you have already taken trig, just skip to BC; you can then have a full, unified year to go over the AB/BC material, in my opinion. Splitting it up is kind of aggravating, especially when you under-cover one and over-cover the other.</p>
<p>If you arent the strongest math student, its best to take BC after AB. I got a 4 in AB last year, and BC should be a piece of cake this year.</p>
<p>which is harder.. AP CHEM OR AP CALC BC?
(kinda hard to compare, but i want to hear what you guys think)</p>
<p>the chem is harder because there is so much more to learn. You have to know how compounds behave and what they are likely to do under different conditions. Calc is more, here is the question, manipulate the few basic rules to get your answer. I looked at the practice test in the back of the PR book and all the multiple choice just show the problem and ask you to solve. Their is no logic or reasoning involved. Sure there are shortcuts, but it is very different, and more straight forward than chem.</p>
<p>Would you guys that have taken BC recommend taking the BC exam if you are only in AB? The highest math course that is offered at my school is calc AB, but we have a very thorough teacher and I find the course exceptionally easy. I have never struggled in any math course and have never missed a math question on a standarized test. With this in mind, should I teach myself the remaining topics and just take the BC exam?</p>
<p>Also do you guys know if the AB subscore on the BC test will count towards its credit if I get a 5 subscore and only a 3-4 on the BC?</p>
<p>Chem is easier than Calc...</p>
<p>AP Calc BC is much harder than AP Chem</p>
<p>Icebarracuda, that is what I am planning to do. Except I don't even have a very good calc AB class.</p>
<p>If you don't mind studying a little extra and you're in AB, go for the BC test. You get an AB subscore, so you can still get a 5 on AB even if you tank on BC material. And it's not that much extra to learn. I was in AB calc, studied the extra material for about a month before the exam, took the BC test and got a 5.</p>