Self-study about half of AP Calculus AB over the summer? Plausible goal?

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>Hi, I am a senior who has been in Canada for the last three years of high school. Here, unfortunately, AP Calculus is not offered. The highest math class, which I have taken, covers up to limits, chain rule, optimization, and curve sketching. So I wanted to self-study the rest of the curriculum in Calc AB so that when I head back to the States for university in the fall, I won't be ridiculously behind, especially what with all the people having taken BC.</p>

<p>For all you AP geniuses out there waiting on your scores, is it possible for me to self-study the rest of the AB curriculum (pretty much all of integration) over this summer? If so, can you recommend any materials? Such as a textbook or review books?</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>I think it’s definitely possible. Princeton Review is often cited as a good resource.</p>

3

<p>That is actually an easy thing to do if you’re mathematically inclined. For me, I used Calculus 8/e by Larson when I was self-studying Calculus and I was able to go through first three chapters within two weeks. However, the drawback for me was not understanding the concepts. So, when you study, read through the theorems and try proving some of the theorems that seem feasible to do since it helps you understand the concepts better.</p>

<p>Princeton Review is a good book for review.</p>

4

<p>You could cover integration in a summer, so I think it is a plausible goal.</p>

5

<p>It’d be easily doable, especially if you’re good at Calc. Really, if you had no problem with optimization, the rest should be easy for you.</p>

6

<p>definitely. i did it the summer before my sophomore year cuz i knew i’d be a bit behind since my school started a bit of calc in pre calc/math analysis.</p>

7

<p>Very easily done. I suggest you work on practice problems through a textbook and cover the corresponding topics in a review book. I found Princeton Review especially helpful for everything up to, but not including, Series and Polar/Vector stuff. PR REALLY, and i mean really, underestimates the amount of series knowledge you need for the BC test, and I’m sure there are many who would agree with me. But, you’re not taking the test so you really don’t care about that, haha.</p>

<p>Integration is a very easy concept but you need a solid foundation to understand the complexities that come later in Calculus 2 (ex. partial fraction integration). So, work thoroughly and try not to cut corners, you’ll save yourself in the future.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

8

<p>I assume you are a rising senior? Yes, you can selfstudy Calc. Both my kids self studied for BC (homeschoolers). I would use a textbook to cover the subjects, but then use a prepbook all school year, in short doses, to keep yourself up with it, so that you will still remember it in May.</p>