Hi people,
So I am in 10th grade right now and just took Precalc/Trig. I am going to take the Math 2 SAT Subject Test this year, and I was wondering if it is better to take AP Stats next year, and AP Calculus BC in 12th grade vs. AP Calculus AB in 11th grade and AP Stats in 12th grade. Which one is better? (No one can go to BC in 11th grade directly from my class only AP Stats or AB)
Taking AP Calculus AB next year would benefit you the most, imo. I’m taking AP Calculus BC and AP Stats as of now. Moving from AP Stats to AP Calc BC will be hard, because AP Calc BC really depends on the basics that you learn in AB.
Can you take Calc AB in 11th and Calc BC in 12th?
Calc is more rigorous, but stats is probably more interesting. Our school combines AB and BC, so if yours does too, take that next year with precalc still fresh in your mind. Then stats in 12th.
our son faced this too. Because he’s going into a math-related major, he ended up taking AP Calc AB as a junior, then AP Calc BC as a senior. Then he started in calc 3 as a freshman in college and did great. he’s taking stats now in college.
the HS Math advisor cautioned him to not take off a year of calc his senior year and then starting calc again in college.
Depends on what tier of colleges you’re aiming for. Taking AP calc in 11th means you can show the AP score on your app. Then it depends on your possible major. AB in 11th, then BC in 12th is good for some.
As a 10th grader in precalculus/trigonometry, you are probably a top student in math. If so, calculus BC is the obvious next course for you to take, assuming that it is taught for students who have just completed precalculus.
I would go with AP Calc AB and then AP Calc BC, and perhaps add AP Stats to junior or senior year if there’s room in your schedule.