<p>Hello! Right now I am in Geometry, and have an A. I am in eighth grade. I am very interested in studying Algebra 2 over the summer, and if it's possible Trigonometry also. If I completed both, I would like to go straight into AP Calculus AB. My courses so far for next year are the following:</p>
<p>Advanced Government/Geography (Necessary, highest possible course)
Pre-AP Chemistry (Highest possible course)
Advanced Literature (Highest Possible course)
Gym - Mandatory
Math - Hoping for AP Calculus AB
Spanish 4 CE (Taken at a college near by for college and high school credit)
AP Computer Programming (Java- I have taken previous summer courses in different launguages)</p>
<p>I am also going to take a study hall second semester, to manage the workload.</p>
<p>Thanks! </p>
<p>I am in calculus right now and you really need a strong understanding of every part of math beforehand to do well. If you honestly think that these summer courses will prepare you as much as a real one would, go ahead. But don’t get ahead just to get ahead. Trig becomes a very integral (lol) part of calculus and you need to know it really well. Is there no “Pre-calculus” course?</p>
<p>Also, on a separate point, if you are from NC and taking AP CompSci through NCVPS be prepared for insane amounts of EC and impossible tests.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply.</p>
<p>The two textbooks I would study from, are actually 2 different courses. One is a full year Algebra 2 course, and the other is equivalent to a semester Trig course. I scored in the 100% percentile for math on a pre-act test earlier this year, and think that I could take on this amount of work. If by the end of the summer, I do not have a good understanding of trig, I was planning on taking Pre-Calc, but I am trying to avoid this. I am very interested in amth and science, and I think if I can finish AB, BC, and study stats over my sophomore summer, it could really help me get ahead in science, by taking many of the offered science electives in my school. </p>
<p>Seriously, there is not 100% percentile on any test. I assume u mean 99th percentile even so that means squat compared to pre-calc and calc. No offense. The fact of the matter is you can’t concurrently study pre-calc and alg 2 at the same time; not like alg2 and geometry. Pre-calc assumes you have an understanding on alg2. Why are you avoiding taking precalc? </p>
<p>When I got the test back, I scored the highest score possible, and it said I scored along side the 100% percentile students who took the test. I would study Algebra 2, then Trig. I want to skip Pre-Calc, because I feel like it would be a waste to review Algebra 2, and then a bit of Trig, when I can do them both over the summer.</p>
<p>^pre-calc is more than a bit a trig if u have a halfway decent pre-calc class.</p>
<p>WOW just realized they are counting HS forum posts, my post count just wen up by like 200.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. </p>
<p>You probably know more than me, but I am pretty sure that if I take a full course of Algebra 2 AND Trig, I would be prepared enough to skip Pre-Calc. Just my opinion though.</p>
<p>It’s difficult to say what you actually have to know to test out of your school’s precalc class because “Pre-Calculus” isn’t an actual branch of mathematics. It’s just a combination of slightly more advanced algebra, geometry and trigonometry that people figure you should know before you take calculus. What that means is that you’d get wildly different curricula and tests between different schools or even different precalc teachers. TBH I don’t think any of it besides some of the trigonometry actually helps that much for taking high school calculus. I took a really algebra heavy precalc class and I never used 95% of it in Calculus AB. In any case, I definitely wouldn’t worry about being unprepared for calculus if you skip precalc.</p>
<p>Thanks for that. That was exactly what I was thinking. I appreciate it!</p>
<p>I agree with .Hatebeingsober; the only problem with trig and alg2 is that you might not be able to test out of precalc</p>
<p>My school is actually very flexible. If I showed them proof of studying both, they would let me skip it, without having to take the test. That is what I did with Spanish.</p>
<p>Your school is far nicer than mine! We have to get 90% or above on a comprehensive test to skip the class. I honestly think you should consider taking pre-Calc. You’re rushing ahead pretty quickly, and I’m not sure that’s completely necessary. It would be terrible for you to skip all these math classes and then end up struggling in AP Calc, because that’s the basis for your college math. If you’re careful enough, and study hard enough, I guess you could… Just make sure you grasp everything really, really well. </p>
<p>I suggest you get a copy of the precalc book used in your school and when you are done studying algebra2, see how much sense it makes to you. I wouldn’t assume that precalc is just algebra2 all over again.</p>
<p>Also, why are you going to a college for spanish 4? Your high school really doesn’t offer spanish 4? </p>
<p>Calc AB is a joke, try Calc BC instead</p>
<p>BC is Calc AB+3/4 more chapters. </p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies! I don’t know if I could attain a copy, does anyone have a good recommendation? And I think AP Calc AB is as far as I’m willing to jump, if anything, I’ll take BC next year.</p>