I’m a current 8th grader taking Algebra 1 Honors. My school is quite competitive and a portion of 8th graders are taking geometry (lesser than the portion taking algebra but some are already taking algebra 2 at the highschool). I really want to get to multi variable calculus by senior year. If I skip geometry this would be my math plan: Algebra 2, Pre-Cal & AP Stats, Cal BC, MVC. I could self-study pre-cal and skip it by taking a CBE to not have to double, but that is aside from the point im making right now. Do you think I should take the CBE (Credit By Exam) to skip geometry? Is there really anything important from the class other than the proofs? Whatever my path is, I want to be in MVC.
You need geometry to do well on the SAT or ACT (and math subject tests if you take them). If you end up in higher level math in college, having some experience with proofs will pay off, too.
There is no earthly reason to need to take MVC in high school. There isn’t a school around (including top tech schools) that require you to have more than Calc coming in as a frosh.
So no. Don’t skip geometry. As long as your HS path takes you through calculus, don’t worry.
I think geometry is important. It’s often a first introduction to proof based math for a kid, and you are not likely to get to proof based math until past MVC if you follow the standard curriculum.
If I had to skip a class and study independently, I’d skip precalc. It is often taught as a confusing mish mash of topics at a very surface level anyway, and only a few topics are truly essential for calculus. If you do go this route, make sure you have a strong grounding (through independent study) in basic functions, and especially trigonometrics, by the time you reach single variable calculus.
Good luck!
I don’t really feel very competitive with my peers as I’m just in the standard honors track, I self studied Algebra and about a 1\4 of my Algebra class is 7th graders working on geometry at home like me.
Some colleges (notably, the entire University of California system, but I think there are others) want to actually see geometry on your transcript, either in high school or a note that you actually took it in middle school.
The score for the acceleration test provided by my district will be on my transcript.
which BTW, is where most competitive students are.
You need to take the long view. While skipping geometry will put you on a higher level in the short-term, it may hurt you in the long run. Prepping just to pass a CBE does not reinforce concepts that will be needed for the SAT and the math Subject Test.
There are ways to get to MVC as a senior, but none of which I would suggest doing until you are actually experiencing a full HS workload. You can double up at some point (assuming that does not interfere with any other core subjects), you can take a course over the summer, as examples. Skipping geometry, though, is not the best solution. And, I agree, you do not need MVC in HS. You may want it, and that’s fine. But just be aware that the number of colleges that will say “Oooooh, this kid had MVC in HS. I’m impressed; let’s admit” is zero. Good luck.
For the Cal States and UC’s, only SAT subject test scores, AP or IB test scores can satisfy the a-g course requirements so the CBE test score for Geometry will not fulfill the requirement. If you are planning to apply to any of these schools, you need to take the Geometry class.
For reference: https://www.ucop.edu/agguide/getting-started/options/
Definitely check any of your target college’s Math requirements before proceeding with your plan.
I believe that UC wants you to have an actual geometry course, but check with a counselor at the high school you’ll be attending. At our high school in CA, the kids who want to get ahead either take Geometry over the summer or else take Geometry at school and then take Alg. 2 online that same year or over the summer and skip into PreCalc. Here’s the language for the UC admissions: ‘NOTE: All students must complete a geometry course or integrated math with geometry content. One transferable college course will not satisfy the full three-year math requirement.’
btw I’m guessing you aren’t in CA. It’s not common here at all any more for kids below 10th grade to be on track to get to Calc before 12th grade.
My other 2 options than taking the cbe or the class would be eschool or summer school, but I plan on staying away from those as they are 4.0 classes and do not cover what is taught in Honors Geometry. And yes, I don’t live in cali, I live in Texas.
Don’t.
In addition, taking MVC in high school is pointless. Having a thorough grounding in algebra, geometry, calculus and statistics is more important.
(wrt statistics your choice is either AP stats as an elective, or calculus based statistics at a community college through dual enrollment.)
What you could do is take algebra2 along with geometry next year, Precalculus in 10th, then see how it goes.
Before any of it - make sure you get a solid A in algebra1.
Ok, I love the advice this thread has gotten, I’ll weigh my choices. Thank you!
Just as an aside before you go to HS, don’t stay away from a class simply because it unweighted. The impact of one unweighted class on a GPA is akin to a pimple on an elephant’s butt.
Im currently taking spanish which is an unweighted, but I just don’t want to take unweighted core classes, they will affect my class rank.
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For the vast majority of kids, I totally agree with this. Neither AP Calculus nor MV/LA as typically taught will be anywhere near rigorous enough for someone who intends to go on to higher math - the concepts will need to be repeated. (Although sometimes AP Calculus credit will allow placement into a rigorous “quasi-analysis” first year treatment of calculus.)
For kids who will not go on to higher math, AP Calculus can sometimes serve the useful function of satisfying a distribution requirement or a minimum prerequisite for something like an intro statistics course in college.
The only kids who need it in my experience are those who want to dual enroll while still in high school in higher math courses like intro analysis, real and complex analysis, or more comprehensive linear algebra and/or modern algebra courses. Often MV/LA is necessary to satisfy the high school and/or the college and allow the dual enrollment.
do not
i did it over the summer and the workload was tremendous. How are you going to skip it? are you gonna do summer school for it?
I’m self studying, there’s a test my district administers for advancement in a subject.
My kid did also self study and test out of Geometry and now takes MVC as a high school senior. Didn’t seem to make any problems with regards to the SAT either. Good luck.
Don’t skip any class…figure out how to take it over the summer or double up.
Many people double up on Geometry and Alg 2.
Then maybe take pre-calc over the summer.