<p>From what I've read, it's not recommended for STEM majors since prestigious colleges don't really care for it. It's really easy, which is why colleges don't recognize it. It doesn't help you much in the future. If these were all true then why do people take AP Stats rather than Calc AB/BC? How difficult were AP Stats and the exam for you?</p>
<p>You are making some dangerous generalizations about an already generalized term: “prestigious colleges.” If you really think a college is going to care if you took AP Stats vs AP Calc, I’m not really sure what to say. Stats has a lower % of 5’s than most courses. Calc AB and Calc BC, in my opinion, will be very easy for anyone who finds stats easy as well. On both calc exams I’m relatively sure I earned more than 100 points out of 108, and I’m also relatively sure that the 5 I got in stats this year was around the lowest raw score that could get you a 5. Stats is tricky - not necessarily difficult - and should not be taken too lightly. I found the multiple-choice section of the exam to be quite easy, and the free-response to be very tricky.</p>
<p>Yeah, it’s a joke.</p>
<p>You’re a joke.</p>
<p>No AP class is a joke.</p>
<p>No AP class is a joke. Why would you even ask this?</p>
<p>My D took it this past year and found it as challenging as AB Calc, but very different. Since it’s a different type of math than the algebra-trig-calc progression, it takes some getting used to. My D chose it over BC Calc because there is so much overlap and review from AB Calc, it seemed like a waste of time for a non-stem kid. She wants to major in Psych, which requires Stats, and she wanted some background before college. </p>
<p>FWIW, we asked UPenn’s admissions office directly if they had any preference between the two, and they did not. I think you should decide based on your goals and interests.</p>
<p>I’ve heard it isn’t a super difficult exam but to say it is a joke isn’t the right attitude to have. I’m sure you can ace it but don’t underestimate it.</p>
<p>I thought it was hard, I got a 2.</p>
<p>A lot of schools don’t offer AP Calculus or higher-level math classes, so if a student wants 4 years of math classes, AP Statistics is often their only choice. </p>
<p>My school offers 4 remedial math classes, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, College Algebra, Precalculus, AP Calculus AB, and AP Statistics. Most other schools in my area have the same course offerings. I took Geometry in 8th grade, Algebra II in 9th, pre-calc as a sophomore and Calc AB as a junior. My school doesn’t have anything higher, so unless I want to take a year off from math entirely, Stats is my only choice. And a lot of students face this situation. Not every student goes to an elite prep school that offers 5 Calc classes and Linear Algebra… The vast majority go to public schools that stop their math courses after Calc 1 or even pre-calc. </p>
<p>Then you have to remember that not everyone is a prospective STEM major. While stem majors don’t need Stats, most liberal arts majors do. For these students, AP Statistics will often get their last math class ever out of the way. Even STEM majors can get elective credit for it, so if there is genuine interest in the subject it’s not bad to take it. </p>
<p>Lastly, remember that AP is a college-level class in high school. No adcom is going to look down at an advanced class. Sure, AP Calculus looks better than AP Psychology, APES, or AP Stats but they are all AP classes and show the student is ready to take on a challenge. </p>
<p>So yes, AP Stats is on the easier side for an AP class. But there are still plenty of legitimate reasons to take it - school doesn’t offer higher-level math classes, planning to major in liberal arts, genuine interest. It’s not going to look bad on college apps when you are taking an AP class, even an “easy” one, because it’s still college-level.</p>
<p>My AP Stats class was a joke for me. The homework was short and easy and the points I lost on quizzes and tests were mainly for not elaborating. Concepts were not difficult to learn.The MC on the AP tests was very easy. However I found the free response section tricky and I was worried that I wouldn’t get a 5. AP Calculus is much harder than AP Statistics. People who would flunk Calculus could get a 5 in AP Statistics. If you are only going to take one or the other take AP Calc. AP Statistics (at least at my school) is mainly for students who would not do well in Calc. If you have room in your schedule go ahead and take AP Stats. It should be an easy A.</p>
<p>Yeah it’s pretty easy. I took it because I already took BC junior year. I barely paid attention during class and got A’s on all the tests and 5s on all the practice AP tests. Our teacher also didn’t give out any homework so it was basically a study hall. I would take calc if you haven’t already. If you have, you can take stats to get the college credit, otherwise it’s pretty much pointless.</p>
<p>The material is pretty straightforward. My stats teacher was probably one of the worst teachers in the school. It’s not that she wasn’t a nice person… she just couldn’t teach. Never had a lesson plan and could never answer an inquisitive question. Most of my class did ok but don’t underestimate it. It’s a very calculator-oriented course. Likewise, it’s valuable for college because with most LA majors, they’ll have you take stats that applies toward your intended field.</p>