I am an incoming 8th grader, and I will be enrolled in Algebra II at that time. However, I know most of the material in Algebra II, so I was wondering if I should skip Algebra II and instead enroll in Pre-Calculus, which would require me taking the Algebra II Mid-Term and Final Exam and receiving an A. I am sure I can do this. However, if I take this path, I will have to take college courses in my sophomore, junior, and senior years. Should I take this path or I should I choose to stay enrolled in Pre-Calculus, so that I can focus my time on other things, such as volunteering and music?
How are you positive that you know all of the algebra 2 material? Have you taken geometry? Honestly, I would suggest still taking algebra 2. Without a strong foundation in algebra 2, I feel I wouldn’t have done as well in precalc as I did, since it felt like advanced algebra 2 + trigonometry.
What other math class did you skip? And do they offer AP Calc at your school?
I found my school’s Algebra II syllabus, and I’ve skipped Algebra I. At my school, AP Calc is offered at my school.
Ok, dont skip both Algebras. You need a good foundation in Algebra to be prepared for calculus. I took both Algebra 2 and pre-calc online and it wasnt honors and I didnt memorize things and that came back to bite me a little in AP Calc BC. I was able to catch up quickly because I did take the classes and I’m good at math.
Also, you wouldnt be taking college classes for sophomre and possibly junior years because you would still have pre-calc to take and depending on your schools curriculum you would still have to take AP Calc AB and/or BC.
If you are confident that you know all of the material thoroughly, then you should skip Algebra II. Earning an A on the midterm and final exam should prove that you know the material. Just do not forget what you have learned.
Make your freshman year okay - take Algebra2H.
If you truly love math and feel comfortable AND if you get the A on both the midterm and the final, what’s your plan - what do you want to do with math? Is there a community college for junior and senior year? You’d take calculus sophomore year, then, I assume, Multivariable and Differential Equations junior year, and perhaps Discrete Math and Linear Algebra senior year? Can you check whether your CC offers all of these?
What other classes do you have?
English =
Foreign Language=
Science =
Social Science/History =
Academic Elective =
Non Academic Elective =
what about geometry? I would take Alg 2 and not skip so far ahead…and maybe take Geometry too and then you can take Precalc and Calc and maybe Multivariable too
I’ve already taken Geometry.
I’ve found many community colleges near me, and if I skipped and passed Algebra II, I would have to take Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus, and Introduction to Abstract Math in my sophomore and junior years. And I don’t know what to take in my senior year.
No, you’d be taking calculus BC sophomore year, then Linear Algebra, Differential Equation, MV, and one more, junior and senior year. You could also take Calculus 1&2 sophomore year at a community college (especially if your HS only offers Calc AB).
Our high school offers Calc AB and BC, but you don’t have to take Calc AB to take BC. You choose to take either Calculus AB or BC.
You need to consider scheduling in your planning. College schedules aren’t necessarily made for hs students, My kid wasn’t able to schedule one of the college math classes she wanted and ended up with a double block of study halls one semester. There’s also the issue of registration priority. Think also about transportation, tuition and book costs, and impact on your ability to participate in hs EC’s.
Do not do this. A good foundation in mathematics is crucial for success in higher math classes, and although you seem like a capable student, I would not recommend skipping Algebra 2.
- Precalculus's first semester is a review of Algebra 2 but in the time span of one semester. You will be behind the other students if there was something learned in Algebra 2 that you haven't learned. The reason that they do this is because a good foundation in function analysis is imperative.
- My school isn't the best at science, English, or history, but it has a VERY good mathematics program; thus, classes like Algebra 2 and Precalculus don't simply require you to know the material but instead apply the concepts to harder problems. Oftentimes, the quiz scores are dismal because the students encounter some esoteric question and spend most of their time on that. Just knowing how to do Algebra 2 concepts and doing some problems out of a book does not mean that you would've done well in the class, although in other schools it might.
- Final exams in my district are ridiculously easy. Hopefully it isn't the same in your school.
I feel that you are trying to advance too quickly. Slow down and ensure that you have a good foundation in these topics before you go onto Calculus and beyond. Unless you’re a math prodigy who does math 24/7, skipping both Algebra courses will probably be detrimental.
If you’re confident in your math abilities, then go ahead but do so at your own risk.
And unless theres a really good specific reason (credits dont transfer etc) take AP Calc BC at your school.
What have you done to learn the algebra2 material?
How do your parents feel about this idea? As a parent, I can tell you that I would not have been excited about driving my kid to class at our local college, hanging around for an hour or so, then driving her to high school–this would have taken about 2.5 hours of my time on a strict schedule 4 days per week. Part of her plan was to be licensed (and she was not old enough as a junior), and we had to obtain a car for her, all of which cost money. Public transportation was not an option. You really should think this through in all the gory detail before committing to the idea.
And also yes, definitely take BC calculus at your high school. No need to run around town for that.
I talked to my school and I took a test on Algebra II and received a 100% on Part A and a 92.8% on Part B (missing 3 questions). If I chose to skip Algebra II, I would receive an A for that course on my transcript and if I choose not to, the grade would not factor into my transcript at all. Please help!
Skip Algebra II but make a plan for the next classes you’ll take. Map out how you’ll ensure 4 years of math for your level and speed. (IE., no stats unless calculus based).
Do you know Art of Problem Solving? It’s for students who enjoy math as a brain teaser 
and if you like to think “in math” it’s for you.
As for the scores :
Congratulations on such an accomplishment
Thank you! I’ve already used AoPS a lot, and I’m taking one of their courses in the summer. Also, I have planned most of my schedule out.
8th - Honors PreCalculus
9th - AP Calculus BC
10th - Calculus III, Differential Equations (College Course offered at my School)
11th - Linear Algebra, Discrete Mathematics (College Course)
12th - Introduction to Abstract Math, ??? (College Course)
I need one more course in my senior year, I was thinking of taking Statistics at a community college in one semester, but I’m not sure. I’ve also already checked to see if the College Courses are offered in the evening, and they are, so they should work for me.
Also, would a calculus based statistics course count as a math course? And would AP Stats be a prerequisite?