Should I take the AP Calculus AB exam?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hey all, I am a new member here, and honestly made an account just because I am so incredibly conflicted about this.

Some points I’d like to note:

  • I am a senior
  • I am aiming to major in both Computer Science (Game Development) and Creative Writing
  • I received little to no guidance from legitimate math teachers during middle school, which greatly impaired my mathematical abilities
  • I have had a teacher for the past three years who is belligerent and only belittles his students when we ask him questions or come to him for guidance
  • I have extreme text anxiety when it comes to math, which is reflected by my relatively low math scores on both the SAT and ACT.
  • Despite the fact I have focused on improving my abilities in math, whenever we do practice multiple choice questions or FRQ’s in class, I literally have no clue what to do, even if I know which concepts I am supposed to apply.
  • I don’t have the money to pay $94 for the exam, but I don’t qualify for a reduced fee and am already paying for AP English Lit and AP Environmental Science, both exams I am sure I will pass with at least a 3.
  • I had no other choice but to take AP Calc because if I’d attempted to take Statistics (the other class offered for seniors who’ve already taken Pre-Calc), it would have disrupted my entire schedule.

I need to hear what other’s opinions are on this. Some of my friends agree with my reasoning that if it puts too much emotional strain on me to take this exam, I shouldn’t take it at all. Others have also told me that, by the time the exam rolls around, I will already have chosen a college, so it shouldn’t matter all that much.
On the other hand, some of my other friends argue that I should take it just to see what happens and because Calculus is correlated with Computer Science.

I am on the fence about this, but I’ve always put my grades and academics over myself, which was only detrimental to me physically and mentally. I am trying to put myself first, but I also feel obligated to take this exam because I took the class and because I’m going to major in Computer Science.

The deadline to pay for the exams is the 13th and I have no clue what to do. Advice?

2

I wouldn’t take it. Save the money and the stress.

3

Try this quiz covering calculus 1 topics to see if you are likely to be ready for calculus 2 (which you could place into with a high enough calculus AB score):

http://www.math.buffalo.edu/rur/rurcii6.cgi

If you can do well on that quiz, it may be worth your while to take the calculus AB test.

4

Does your intended college consider the CLEP test for Calculus equivalent for CS Majors?

5

Honestly, I have no clue, especially because I’m unsure which college I will be attending at this point in time.

6

I’d much rather take Calculus 1 in order to review everything I’ve “learned” thus far in my AP Calc AB class. Is that a possibility in college if I decide not to take the exam?

7

Don’t take it if you don’t want to. It sounds you would be more comfortable re-taking Calc 1 in college. All STEM colleges’ curriculums are set up so you can do that. I took the AB calc test and got a 3 or something…retook Calc1 as an Engineering student and felt more confident! Graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering.

Really don’t worry…just take Calc 1 in college.

8

Don’t take it. Continue with the class to have the background, plan to take Calculus 1 freshman year and you’ll be good.