My intention is to take on-level pre calculus online this summer over a 6 week course on virtual school. My goal is to take Calculus AB to increase my chances of getting into competitive colleges, such as Georgia Tech UGA. I have been on the on-level math track thus far, but I have gotten high 90’s in each class, 99.5 in Algebra I, 96 in Geometry, and 96 in Algebra II. My Algebra II teacher says since if I have the drive and can handle the 3-4 hours of work a day, he thinks I can do it. I talked to the Calculus AB teacher at my school, and he said that it will be a lot of work and should be fine if I can do the summer assignment packet, but recommends getting a tutor if I can’t keep up at times during AB Calc. Other than that, I have a 4.3/ 4.1 (UGA/GT standard) weighted and a 4.0 un weighted GPA, and I’ve taken 6 APs so far, so I think I could handle the rigor, but I’m still a little worried about it. Thoughts?
Also, if I go through with it, can anybody recommend some good prep books or text books?
I’m in pre-calculus in school right now, and I certainly think it would doable for you to take it online in a summer if you have very strong Algebra II and Trigonometry skills. If you are strong in these areas and have a tutor, I’d say you can do very well. If you have the drive, you should go for it.
You could definitely do it; I’m also in pre-calculus right now, and I regret not having taken it over the summer. It’s essentially a review of the second half of what you cover in Algebra II, with a few more trigonometry concepts.
I’m in pre-Calc right now, and it’s not that bad. We’re on the hardest unit of the year right now which involves verifying and trig identities, but with a tutor it shouldn’t be too bad to learn. The whole first semester of my class was just review from A2.
You’re a junior, right? If you’re younger, you should be able to take AP Calculus AB without taking anything over the summer.
I can’t imagine why you couldn’t do it. Many students I know skip Pre-calc if they are strong in math and go right into calc. So spending the summer on Pre-calc will give you a good review. Very do-able. I actually know students who did Calc AB in the summer without a problem.
Update: I finished the online class and I got a 93! Calculus here I come!
@juiceboxes Nice!! I took calc ab last year and got a 5 on the exam. It was one of the most interesting classes I have ever taken. I learned so much. Enjoy it!
I think this is a great idea. Regarding books, I recommend the schuam’s outline series for each subject. Lots of worked example problems and additional study problems with answers. You can buy the books used in almost new condition for .25 on the dollar.