<p>I was considering adding Ap calc to my schedule for next yr and was seeking some advice as to how difficult it really is
keeping in mind that i'm not exactly a fan of math, i figured taking a challenging course in math might help me come time for college
..can anyone input on the difficulty of the class. Is it advisable to hire a tutor if it's hard..or is reading during the summer better?</p>
<p>i did Ap Calc, what lots of fun, i got a five, i didnt find it two diffucult but i have always been a math geek so i dunno what to tell you</p>
<p>AP Calc BC is the easiest course you will ever take.</p>
<p>BC was kind of hard for me because I self studied it. But if you take the class it should be ok. But honestly, its different for everyone, so, you have to decide for yourself, and based on your own skills.</p>
<p>AP Calc is a fun course, i dont find it too difficult, however that's because i have an awesome calc teacher and he offers tutorials during school and after school</p>
<p>do it! you won't learn a lot if you don't challenge yourself. i can testify to that. i was only in one advanced class freshman year and now i'm in 5 aps (one being calc BC) and 2 advanced classes senior year. i went from regular geometry to calc BC -first person ever at my school- and i was fine. good luck!</p>
<p>I found Calc BC to be a real challenge. For the first time in my life, I got scores below 80% on tests, and I really had a hard time on quizzes and assignments. I am an excellent math student, probably a 5 on the exam, and I still really struggled. Looking back, it probably wasn't as bad as I though at the time, but overthinking and overpreparing are the best ways to keep a nice safety buffer in your grade.</p>
<p>In my defense, though, our BC Calc class is really tough. It has ruined more 4.0's than any other class in the building, and our teacher is known for suprises and nearly impossible tests. I guess your success will depend on how tough your teacher is and how well you adapt to concepts. Some students in my class studied incredibly hard and still got terrible scores. For possibly the first time in high school, pure effort will not be enough. Aptitude is required as well.</p>
<p>Agree with the post above me. The math geeks will eviscerate the class, integral by integral, but the more humanities minded people will likely struggle, no matter how many times they sit down for a cozy session with their textbook. Left brain vs. right brain sort of stuff, right? I firmly believe, however, than anyone can get a 5 on any AP test, whether they're more inclined towards the sciences, math, or the humanities, if they're 1) intelligent (as in they do well in school...aghh, still kinda vague), 2) work and study hard throughout the WHOLE year, and 3) know HOW to study, as memorizing equations, Taylor series stuff, and definite integral tests is only effective to a point; you have to understand the underlying concepts behind those things (as with all things: ie. no Tennis Court Oath without the struggle of the Third Estate before the French Revolution -- that "stuff," the broad, general principles) to succeed. My advice? Take the class. Even if you don't do as well as you did in other, lesser (insert haughty look here) math classes, you will have had at the end of the class a wonderful opportunity to open your mind to new concepts, new problem solving techniques, and hopefully a very humorous mathematics teacher, as the ones who teach such courses tend to be that way :)</p>
<p>AP Calc AB is the easiest math class I have ever taken. BC is probably pretty simple too. </p>
<p>Just remember: Don't try to understand why certain things work in Calculus. Just know how to actually calculate them. It's a waste of time, for instance, to try to understand why derivatives or antiderivatives are what they are.</p>
<p>Calc is not a class, it's a lifestyle.</p>
<p>AP Calc AB is the easiest math class I have ever taken. BC is probably pretty simple too.</p>
<p>Just remember: Don't try to understand why certain things work in Calculus. Just know how to actually calculate them. It's a waste of time, for instance, to try to understand why derivatives or antiderivatives are what they are.</p>
<p>This is exactly opposite of what most people would recommend. Memorizing formulas can work for some people, but real calculus is all about understanding the concepts behind the functions and formulas, much more than earlier math classes (Geo, Algebra II etc). </p>
<p>One of the biggest pitfalls people stumble into with Calc is knowing all the equations from previous math classes but not knowing how to apply and tie together the nature of the different functions. If you have a strong conceptual grasp of the basics, Calc becomes trivial memorization.</p>
<p>Calculus was one of the best classes I've taken. Contrary to what bmwdan said, I find it easier to learn through abstract concepts rather than rote memorization, but whatever works for you. Differential calculus is more computation, but once you get to integral calc (Calc B), being able to visualize is very helpful. If you can translate a math problem into a picture in your head, you will have no trouble whatsoever in calculus. In general, I'd advice you to take AP Calculus -- it's a rather fun course.</p>
<p>inconnu-</p>
<p>I actually don't think pure memory is the best way. That was Animus' opinion. </p>
<p>One incredibly brilliant math student in my class thought he could survive calc without trying and just by applying formulas. His A's slipped to B's, and soon he was paying close attention like the rest of us.</p>