<p>I'm a senior taking Calculus AB, and I'm doing good so far. I have an A in the class and I honestly think I can get a 4 or 5 on the test if I study hard enough. But my question is, should I take the Calc BC exam? I was looking at the Princeton Review Book today and I was looking at some of the BC topics. It looks like the BC test just has a harder problems from AB and with a few additional topics. Would it be a good idea to take the BC exam? I was thinking it would be a good idea so I can get ahead in college if I major in the sciences or engineering, but would I fall behind because I didn't learn the BC material well enough or something?</p>
<p>Oh btw should I do the same for Physics C? It's a different situation, however, because I'm in C Mechanics right now and I find the material difficult, and the question on the test look EVER HARDER. So would it be a good idea to take BOTH Mechanics and E&M? Or just stick with Mechanics?</p>
<p>Bump I have the same question. Doing well in AP Calculus AB and wondering if I still have time to start studying now so that I can sit for Calc BC instead. I have half a year left (from now till May). Any advice on this?</p>
<p>sfboy, as for physics, I'm doing both mechanics and E&M, so it is possible. However, I would look for a teacher to guide you. Because it is tough. Either that, or if you're really good at physics then just practice hard on your own and it should work out. In terms of labs and stuff you won't really miss out by that much. Not a lot that you can't read up, etc.</p>
<p>yeah, you have plenty of time. The additional BC topics that I can think of off the top of my head:
Calculus w/Parametric and Polar curves
Integration by parts, by partial fractions, improper integrals
Sequences and Series (save a lot of time for this one)
Some more applications of Calculus (arc length, l'hopital's rule, euler's method)</p>
<p>Those are the biggies. You can definitely do it. Good luck!</p>
<p>As for time, you guys are fine. I was in the same situation as you last year, first started studying on christmas break and was fine for the exam (5). Be sure to do all the archived questions on ap central. They don't really change up the format or the types of questions they ask, so you'll be more than familiar with it. Don't start doing them until closer to may though, except sporadically as a check on yourself. Good luck!</p>
<p>Physics is a trickier question because the E+M test is completely different from Mechanics. You'd have to be really, really solid on basic physics concepts and equally confident in your ability to apply new math (integral calculus) to some pretty theoretical situations. It'd definitely be rewarding, and the only labs that you'd pretty much need to do somewhere are the circuit ones. Do some research on it and see how much time you have to spare (you'd probably need a good amount).</p>
<p>On the BC Calc free response, College Board uses the same types of questions over and over. It's a repeated pattern.</p>
<p>If you are a prospective engineering major:</p>
<p>I suggest you to take Calculus BC this year. AB and BC can be taken concurrently; there is not much additional material that BC offers. If you are abler to get a 5 in AB, you should get a 4 or 5 on BC.</p>
<p>Take Physics C too. It will challenge you, and prepare you well for the introductory courses in Physics.</p>
<p>I might disagree that BC would be simple to pass (with a 4 or 5) without being in the class. But you could try. Plus, they give you an AB subscore, and many colleges accept this if you have a bad score on BC.</p>
<p>You can always take the BC test, and even if you pretty bad on the BC part, youll get an AB sub-score that you can use for credit instead of the BC.</p>
<p>My friend got a 3 on the BC part, but a 4 for her AB sub score.</p>
<p>a friend of mine got a 5 on the BC section and a 4 on the AB</p>
<p>he did it on purpose. that was pretty hilarious :)</p>