I am a sophomore and I’m taking algebra 2 this year. I like math quite a bit and was wondering if it would be a good idea to test out of pre - calc. I started learning it from khan academy and know trigonometry and conic sections pretty well (they’re straightforward). Would top colleges like that I am passionate about math and am 2 years advanced? If I should, what topics should I focus on?
Direct answer: It depends on your school. Some schools include trigonometry as part of the algebra 2 curriculum and some include it as part of the pre-calculus curriculum or as a separate class. You mentioned that you are strong in trig - were you referring to introductory trig learned in geometry classes or trig as part of your algebra 2 class?
If there is a placement exam, that would be a great option to figure out if you are ready to opt out of pre-calc and to jump directly to calculus. If not, I would talk to your guidance counselor, current math teacher, calculus/pre-calculus teacher, and maybe the math department chair (if this is necessary) to discuss what would be best for you!
Another thing you should think about is what class you will take after AP Calculus. If you do end up taking AP Calculus junior year, what options do you have for senior year? You could take AP Statistics, but this is considered to be “easier” than calculus. Does your school offer Multivariable calculus or linear algebra? Could you take post-calculus courses through a local college senior year? If you take AP Calc AB junior year, you might be able to take AP Calc BC as a senior, if your school offers the classes sequentially.
And to answer your question about whether or not top colleges would “like” that you were 2-year advanced, for top colleges you need more than just rigorous classes to be admitted - high scores on SAT/ACT, involvement in extra-curriculars, etc. - and even then the acceptance rate is very low. But if you do jump to Calculus junior year, it certainly will show that you are invested in math and willing to challenge yourself!
I would take the Precalculus class. Seamless transition to calculus.
I do believe I have a strong foundation in trigonometry. We covered trig in Algebra 2 (unit circles and stuff) and it was pretty easy, I also know most trig identities and how to apply them. In my school after Calc BC, they offer Calc multivariable, so I would have options. From what I’ve heard, Calc is mostly about derivatives and integrals. I taught myself basic integration and differentiation techniques and they aren’t too bad, just involve some trig identities and algebra.
Any additional thoughts?
Imo most of precalc is a review of algebra II so if you want to, go for it. Talk to a teacher at your school to see what topics you’d have to study.
If you’re going to major in anything in the math field, I would strongly suggest taking the courses in sequence and not self teaching anything.
One little detail that you didn’t think was important may turn out to be very important down the road.
You are currently on track to take calculus in 12th grade. Skipping precalculus to take calculus in 11th grade may only give advantage if the extra schedule space in 12th grade could be used for something useful (would higher level math at a local college be available). Even then, it may not be a good idea if your precalculus knowledge is not strong.
Here are some math placement tests to help you check whether you are ready for calculus:
http://www.math.buffalo.edu/rur/rurci3.cgi
http://math.tntech.edu/e-math/placement/
https://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/placement-exam
The school offers multivariable.
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Closing thread. The OP has asked this question several times under different user names.