<p>Ok from what I have been reading everyone says calc 2 is the hardest class at michigan If I have the ap credit should I place out and go right into calc 3. I was thinking I would retake calc 1 and calc 2 and get good grades in them since I am somewhat familiar with the material but is that not the case? also I am premed if that makes a difference</p>
<p>I’ve taken both so far and these were my experiences (I tested out of calc 1):
Calc 2: material is pretty tough, though it’s nothing crazy. It’s pretty much the same material you see in calc ap in high school, but a bit more in depth. The real pain in this course comes from the tests where the averages usually are in the 50s or low 60s. The tests are brutal BUT are scaled to a B, so when you get a 50-ish grade, you still get a B. I think, though I’m not completely sure, that its one of the most failed classes at umich, though I think that’s because so many kids have to take it and many of them just aren’t ready to take on this class</p>
<p>Calc 3: honestly the last third of this class blew my mind. It’s quite a bit harder conceptually than calc 2. However some people have an easier time with it. Basically, if you can visualize 3-D and really abstract stuff, you’ll find this class fine. But if you’re like me, it’s gonna be some weird, and hard material. The tests were easier than calc 2 in the year I took it. </p>
<p>Basically, if you put in the work, you’ll do fine, as is true with all courses at umich. I would suggest that you skip calc 1 and move to calc 2 or 3. If you feel up to going to calc 3, then go for it, though since you’re pre-med I think you only need calc 2<br>
Good luck with your future!</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice but why do you recommend I skip calc 1? from what your saying I think I might start from the beginning since I know I can do well in calc 1 if I put in the effort?</p>
<p>I just finished my semester with calc 1 and the class was easy if you’ve had prior calc experience. The exams were a bit sporadic though. Our first one was essentially uncurved since the average was an 80 (highest average in years), but our final exam’s average was a 49 (lowest average in years). I’m assuming they did that to sort of even out the scores, but even then, the classes ended up averaging out in the end. If you already have a firm grasp on calc (derivatives and integrals), you’ll find a ton of stuff in calc 1 and 2 to be review. I didn’t learn anything new in calc 1 that I already did not know.</p>
<p>Dddsss: like the person above me said, I heard much of calc 1 had similar material to high school AP classes. Since you are considering jumping straight to calc 3, I just thought that it would save you some time/effort to just start with calc 2. Like the guy above me said, if you have a good grasp on derivatives and integrals, you’ll be able to jump into calc 2 without much of a problem</p>
<p>I hate how kids that have already gotten credit for the class retake it and **** up the curve</p>
<p>I thought kids who retake the class generally don’t do particularly well because they don’t try</p>
<p>^agreed. if you are truly going to **** up the curve, you will be getting A’s in calc 2 or calc 3 if you have the effort. Getting credit in BC doesnt mean that person is smarter than anyone else, just means they got a headstart in HS.</p>
<p>Yeah, but a headstart would pretty damned helpful, if you ask me. As the classes progress, the stuff I was having trouble with around exam time is now stuff I can figure out in a fraction of the time with ease.</p>
<p>I retook Calc 1 and 2 because my high school calc teacher was a joke. Retaking them really helped me long term. In my opinion I would only go directly into calc 3 if you are 100% positive that you have a excellent understanding of the material taught in calc 1 and 2.</p>