In my high school, the pathway for math is: Math 1 (Algebra 1) to Math 2 or Honors Math 2 (Geometry), Math 2 to Math 3 (Algebra 2) or Honors Math 2 to Honors Math 3. After Math 3/Honors Math 3, students can take either Advanced Math(regular precalc), Advanced Math Analysis (Honors Precalc), AP Calculus (only for Honors Math 3 and Advanced Math Analysis students), or AP Stats. I was in Math 3 as a sophomore and I am currently in Advanced Math Analysis (AMA) and AP Stats as well as 3 other AP courses. I am unsure as to what math class I should take next year. I know that from AMA, students can move on to AP Calc BC if they have an A or AP Calc AB if they have a B or lower. I have A’s in both of my classes, but given that I plan on taking 6 AP classes next year (one of them being AP Chem lol), I do not know I should take Calc BC. In this case, which math course would be best for me to take as a senior? Do colleges really even differentiate between which version of calculus students take?
Ask yourself: Am I one of the strongest math students in school? Is math a breeze for me? If yes then you can skip AB. Also ask the Calc BC teacher. The Calc BC class in your school may not cover some part of the Calc AB and you may get lost.
But I don’t recommend 6 APs. 4 or at most 5.
From my perspective, definitely do NOT skip BC! Practically everything in calc BC builds off of AB. At my school, it’s impossible to skip AB because AB is considered ‘calc 1’ and BC is ‘Calc 2’. BC is already the hardest class in my school, I don’t see why you would want to make it harder by skipping the class that teaches it’s fundamentals. Good luck!
It varies by school. In the OP’s case, it sounds like the BC class covers both AB and BC. In which case, I agree with @coolweather If you are a very strong math student, sure, take BC, but I would not do 6 AP’s (although part of it depends upon which 6 AP’s.)
Yep. Varies by school. At ours, you take either AB or BC. BC class covers all of AB plus the BC material. It moves very quickly.
Our S19 is taking the BC class this year and, because we heard it was a bear of a class, he decided to put off AP Physics until next year. He’s currently taking BC, APUSH, AP Lang, honors French, honors Painting, and honors Earth Science. He is BOGGED down with homework. Five to six hours a night and BC is probably 90 minutes of that. There is no way he could keep his grades up if he had added AP Physics (which is known as the absolute hardest class at the school.)
Be thoughtful in your choices. If BC is the right place for you, go for it. And then be careful about the rest of your schedule.
Also, if you’re not going to major in engineering or math, I don’t think it’s crucial to take BC. If taking AB gives you the time to take the classes like AP Chem and chemistry is your thing, then I think it’s just fine to take AB. Our GC was very clear on this since our S19 will not be an engineering major. We went back and forth all summer about which class to take and our compromise was to drop Physics and add Earth Science. Honestly, I think taking AB and Physics instead this year would have also been a fine decision and wouldn’t have made a difference at all in college acceptances.
BC will cover material at college speed, while AB will cover less material. If math is a strong subject for you, then BC should be fine.
Regarding the 6 AP courses, the workload depends on which ones they are. Human geography is generally considered a much lighter course than chemistry or US history, for example.
Why don’t you discuss it with your guidance counselor? He/she should have a good sense of what the overall workload would be with your schedule. While it is good to take a rigorous courseload you also don’t want to overload and create a problem for yourself.
AP Calc BC should cover material from AB. BC is honestly not that bad. I am awful at math and my first quarter grade is a 95. Not that it isn’t difficult, but it is fairly easy to master with lots of practice and studying. I also happen to have a fantastic teacher. Math isn’t hard–you just need to put in time and effort. You can be successful in any math class you choose if you are willing to do that. I am currently a senior and I am taking 7 other classes with BC Calc–AP CompSci, AP US Gov, AP Lit, AP French, AP Physics, IB History HL, and Science Research (Honors). Yes, it is a lot of work, but I am willing to do a lot of work.I am willing to spend literally all of the time that I am not at school/doing extracurriculars studying. The question is, are YOU?