Should I test out of pre-calc into AP Calc AB?

Test Preparation AP Mathematics & Computer Science
1

<p>I would take both finals over summer. Would I be taking too big of a jump and be missing a strong foundation in pre-calc? I really do NOT want to get into AP calc next year and drop it or fail. What should I do? Will taking AP Calc improve my admission chances?</p>

2

<p>Why don’t you take precalc and go to Calc BC instead of Calc AB?</p>

3

<p>@ClassOf2015HS‌ Some high schools require you to take AB before BC.</p>

4

<p>Lol pre-calc is virtually useless for Calc in most schools. There’s a few equations & calculator tricks that you need to memorize from pre-calc, but they’re reviewed during the first few weeks of calc in most schools afaik, and even if they’re not, they’re pretty simple & easy to memorize. </p>

5

<p>Pre-cal is actually really important. It DOES give you a solid foundation in calculus. For example, if you didn’t take pre-cal, how are you supposed to come up with trig values on the spot while integrating difficult equations? I actually took pre-cal twice (the first time, my teacher kind of didn’t know how to teach), and the reiteration of that material made calculus much simpler for me (Cal 1 was really easy actually. Cal 2 was a bit more difficult). Even if it were possible to get by calc without pre-cal, it wouldn’t be easy by any means.</p>

<p>If possible, I suggest taking pre-cal and then taking Calc BC.</p>

6

<p>Pre-calc is necessary the high up you go. It is slightly necessary in AB. And you need it more and more as you go higher.</p>

7

<p>Personally I felt that Pre-calc was a waste, pretty much just algebra 2 and trig review all year. But it depends on your school’s pre cal curriculum! Also, try to do BC if you can! :)</p>

8

<p>If you have a solid algebra 2 and trig background, you should be fine with Calculus BC. For me, pre-calculus was also a waste of time.</p>

9

<p>@‌shinchang Who cares if it’s necessary or not. That’s what is wrong with CCers, so committed to getting ahead they miss foundational math. I came out of Precal able to do any complex trig problem in my sleep and with a deep knowledge of the natures of functions, which was the biggest thing I gained from it. I can’t see doing well in higher math without the sophisticated knowledge of this stuff, let alone calculus. </p>