Should AP Calculus BC & AP Statistics be taken before IB Math AA HL?

Pre-College Issues International Baccalaureate (IB)
1

I am currently taking Honors Pre-calculus online during the summer, in an effort to take AP Calculus BC in my sophomore year. However, I am in the IB Diploma programme, and I plan on taking IB Math AA HL during it. Is AP Calculus BC a good course to take before taking IB Math AA HL? Also, is AP Statistics a good course to take before IB Math AA HL?

2

There will be significant duplication of material in precalculus, calculus, and statistics. You should not expect to get more advanced placement in college due to having both compared to having either the AP or IB scores.

Since whichever one you take second will be like a repeat, you may find it easier due to having already seen the material before, although it may feel like a waste of time.

3

My D is in Math Analysis HL and year 1 is basically PreCalc and year 2 is basically Calc with some Stats thrown in. If you’ve taken Calc and stats already it will be very redundant, which could make the course easier, but it totally unnecessary.

4

Can I ask what math your daughter took before starting this course? My daughter has been in a school with only AP and we are now moving to a Full IB school if she doesn’t get accepted to boarding school

5

My senior took Precalc her Sophomore year before switching schools to do IB. It made Math HL year 1 quite easy for her. My current sophomore who will be taking the same IB Math HL is taking AP Stats her sophomore year to avoid the redundancy.

6

Thank you!
So in your daughters HL math pre cal was included as part of the curriculum?

My daughter will be in the 10th next year
and her choices if attending the IB school is to stay in year 10 but do an only AP statistics or Pre-calculus course because the year 10 math will be stuff she has already covered or to go ahead and move up to year 11

7

Yes, Math Analysis HL her whole first year was Precalc stuff. If your D plans to take Math Analysis as opposed to Math Applications I would recommend AP Stats for her Sophomore year. You get very little stats in Math Analysis. If she is taking Math Applications probably take Precalc (not sure what is in Apps-- it is stats heavy I think-- our school doesn’t offer it.) You can see very detailed curriculum for all ib courses at ib.org.

8

Thank you! This is very helpful, I appreciate it