<p>My apologies--I have every confidence that this has been asked repeatedly, but I'm not finding the info.</p>
<p>My son is in ninth grade and taking Trig now. What is on the Math 1C versus 2C? He's a very strong math student. Should he take 1C this year? Is there precalc on the 2C? What is the difference? I'm aware of the differences in the curve, but don't know enough about the differences in the math to make an informed decision.</p>
<p>The difference in Math 1 and Math 2 is mainly the difference in the level of the math. Math 1 is very similar to the SAT1 Math section; “tricky” yet basic algebra and geometry. Math 2 is more at the precalculus level with more trigonometry and less “tricky” problems.
I really wouldn’t advise anyone who’s good at math to take Math 1 as high scores on Math 2 is a better indicator of your math skills. I also wouldn’t advise that people take a math SAT until the junior year as the higher math you’re in, the better you’ll o on the test.</p>
<p>If he is taking Trig now, wait until the May or June testing date, he’ll do fine on Math II.</p>
<p>If he is a strong math student, he should be able to score 800 on Math II without much trouble. I also recommend taking Math II, also because some elite schools specifically require Math II.</p>
<p>Thanks, folks. I asked his math teacher, who said he should wait until he takes calculus (???). I just printed out some practice problems from the College Board website and told him to have at it. :-)</p>
<p>Remember - when you took it doesn’t matter. what matters is HOW MANY TIMES you took it.</p>
<p>I don’t think he necessarily <em>needs</em> to wait until calculus to take Math II. The only exception is that Math II may include some questions on limits, which may or may not be first introduced early in the calculus curriculum.</p>
<p>Recommend getting Barron’s and the College Board review books and looking over the questions. Some unique questions he is unlikely to have covered in class - practice helps. With that in mind, maybe study this summer or next and take MathII in the fall. Just plain test taking maturity will help. Best to take it only once when you are very ready. Calc is not on it, but won’t hurt either. </p>