<p>I got a 4 (both actual score and AB subscore). I know that usually 4's and 5's award equal credits at most colleges but I did some research and on most college's ap credit policy, a 3 and 4 on the BC exam awards credit for Calc I and a 5 awards credit for both Calc I and II. I would like to take Calc III/Linear Algebra when I get to college. However, I don't want to spend too much time studying for the exam since I'm taking a bunch of other AP exams next year. I still remember most of the stuff I learned in Calc BC but I might forget some of the stuff by the time May rolls around. But I'm taking Calc III/Diff EQ this year so I was wondering if that class prepares you for the Calc BC exam? (or at least aid in not letting you forget the material) Like, does that class cover things like parametric and polar equations, sequences and series, and things like that? I was wondering how much time I should put aside to study for the Calc BC exam if I want to get a 5 this time. Or if it is worth retaking at all.</p>
<p>You could, but it depends on what you would want to study in the future. I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you feel like you HAVE to, go ahead.</p>
<p>Well my plans are to pursue a medical career (so my major would be either pre-med or biomed engineering, depending on what school I go to; also I might minor in math). Thing is, besides science math is my strongest suit in school so I would like to get 5’s on the math and science ap exams so I will have a “cushion” for my weaker subject ap exams and still be able to get the nat scholar award. I actually was surprised that I got a 4 on calc, I was pretty confident that I got a 5 but I guess not. Well, I also did get a 4 on stats but it’s not really a math course to be honest (and I didn’t study too much for that exam, lol should just be grateful I didn’t get a 3). I’m not too concerned about stats, though, cuz from my research most schools take a 4 (and 3) in stats the same way they take a 5.</p>
<p>And can someone answer my other question? Whether calc iii/diff eq is good prep for the calc bc exam?</p>
<p>Definitely take it if you have some time to brush up. Like Spring break and right before the exam.</p>
<p>And btw if I retake it and get a better score, I can cancel my old score right? But how would that look on college apps? I know you don’t have to report all scores but would they notice that I took the exam a year after I took the class? What would they think about that? And fyi, my goal school is Johns Hopkins and I want to double-major in neuroscience and biomedical engineering. I’m worried that a 4 on calc bc will look suckish which is another reason why I want to retake.</p>
<p>I thought that most med schools would not accept AP credits. I could be wrong, but if I am right, it may not make a difference.</p>
<p>I’m not worried because of admittance to med school, just undergrad college for now. I’m concerned about what colleges will think when they see that either I got a 4 on calc bc or a 5 but not the same year I took the class. And I would like to keep my average up for the ap scholar awards.</p>
<p>@Korean 101</p>
<p>Calculus III/differential equations will help you retain limits, differential equations (except logistic growth) derivation, vectors and basic integration. There’s a part in differential equations that involves power series, but it doesn’t overlap with BC a lot. The stuff you’ll learn about polar coordinates and double integration can help a little bit. What you’ll likely forget is advanced integration techniques (parts, partial fractions, trig substitution, etc.) and series. You’ll also forget a number of applications related to integration and derivation (volumes of revolution, for instance), but you’ll be able to re-learn the material easily. Overall, it will keep you in decent shape, but you will have to invest some time in re-learning stuff.</p>
<p>Actually, integration by part is used in Laplace Transforms, so you’ll be forced to remember it.</p>
<p>Oops, by derivation in my first post, I meant differentiation. I wasn’t fully conscious when I wrote that.</p>
<p>Oh and just one more thing. I’m also taking ap mechanical physics. How much will that help towards ap calc?</p>
<p>you will need AP calc for AP physics C, physics c however, will not really help your understanding of calculus.</p>