Which AP Classes For Sophomore Year?

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>I have until next week to turn in my class schedule request form for next year. I would like to challenge myself with AP classes, since I took AP Human Geography and found it fairly easy. The following AP Classes are available at my school for sophomores:</p>

<p>AP Biology
AP Environmental Science
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
AP World History
AP Spanish Language (can't take yet)
AP Spanish Literature (can't take yet)</p>

<p>Which ones should I take? Are there any that overlap each other in terms of the AP exam? Should I take AP World History even though I am a math/science person? All opinions welcome. :)</p>

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<p>bump bump bump</p>

<p>anyone want to answer?</p>

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<p>Calculus AB is a subset of Calculus BC.</p>

<p>A one year course in Calculus BC is essentially like a one year university freshman calculus course. A one year course in Calculus AB is essentially like a one semester university freshman calculus course (i.e. at a slower pace).</p>

<p>If you have done well in math up to precalculus so far and are three grades ahead in math (considering calculus as a high school sophomore), then Calculus BC should be well within your ability. Beyond Calculus BC, you may want to consider the university sophomore level math courses at a community college afterward if you are likely to study math, science, engineering, computer science, or economics when you go to university.</p>

<p>Biology often gives credit for a one year university biology sequence, although not for medical school purposes (although they may allow taking more advanced biology instead).</p>

<p>Environmental Science tends to be of little use for most majors’ subject credit.</p>

<p>Statistics usually counts as a non-calculus based statistics course in university, but many majors which require statistics require a calculus based statistics course (which may be available at community colleges).</p>

<p>World History may give breadth credit for science or engineering majors at some universities.</p>

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<p>So</p>

<p>AP Calculus BC
AP Biology
AP Statistics
AP World History
AP Environmental Science??? I’m going for a science major so will it help in any way?</p>

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<p>If you don’t have anything else to take (i.e. foreign language or some really cool elective), then sure, go with APES. It’s not viewed as a very rigorous course by colleges in most cases, so it doesn’t have much of an advantage over an honors class or another year of foreign language.</p>

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<p>From these:</p>

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</p>

<p>I’d personally take AP World, APES, and AP Stats. Assuming that you will at one point take APUSH, AP World seems to be a good trainer for it (at least from what I’ve found self-studying world). It’s a pretty interesting class that teaches you knowledge you ought to know regardless. I’d save on AP Calc AB until Jr. year and take the easier AP Stats as a sophomore instead (if your school offers AP Physics, go for AP Calc now to open up the possibility of AP Physics junior/senior year). You’re going to want a heavier science junior year to show a rigorous schedule, so take APES now and Bio later.
Just my two cents. Wish my school offered APs to us sophomores.</p>

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<p>The science AP courses most worth taking are Biology, Chemistry, and Physics C. Although they are not always accepted for subject credit, they will be better preparation for university level courses in those subjects.</p>

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<p>I can’t take any AP foreign languages yet. I am taking Spanish 3 next year. I will probably take APUSH in 11th grade.</p>

<p>My school offers AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics B, and AP Environmental Science. I plan to take AP Chemistry in 11th grade. So taking AP Calculus in 10th grade will allow me to take AP Physics in 11th grade? I’m already in the Medical Academy at my school so I am taking 2 science classes right now. In 11th grade, I will have a med. acad. class with 2 AP classes? Is that good? When would I take AP Biology?</p>

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<p>bump bump bump</p>

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<p>I’ll tell you this from personal experience. I’m currently a sophomore and I’m taking 3 AP’s in school and I’m self studying one outside of school. The three in school are AP Psych, AP World, and AP Chem. Outside of school, I’m taking AP Calc AB. To tell you the truth, it’s not that hard. Sure there have been some nights where I was up until 2, but that’s about it. However, this month will be pretty bad because I have to study for my 3 AP’s, and learn a whole year of calculus in about 3 weeks. </p>

<p>I’m not worried though because Math has always come easily to me. This month, I go home right after school and review Calc for about an hour so it feels like I’m still in school. As long as you manage your time, the number of AP’s shouldn’t be a problem. I’m usually a major procrastinator though…I usually stop reviewing Calc 30 minutes early to play some video games. I start homework pretty late too :/</p>

<p>So to sum it up, don’t be afraid of taking a challenging course load. At the end of the day (or year in this case), it’s an experience that you don’t want to miss out on. I would recommend you take Bio because I took it last year and if you have a good teacher like me, then the AP exam will be a breeze. I was confident I would get a 5 after the multiple choice section.</p>

<p>AP World has been…an interesting experience. My teacher is really boring so I usually zone out in her class. We get a lot of work, but overall, it’s not too bad. Don’t try to self study this though because you WILL need experience writing essays and having them graded. </p>

<p>Can’t tell you about AP stat because I’m going to take it next year.</p>

<p>Calc isn’t too bad and you should be fine if you take it in school. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t recommend APES because it’s a really “soft” option (like AP Psych) and the exam is really easy. College’s aren’t dumb and they know this, so it won’t really count for much. </p>

<p>So overall, go with Calc AB, Bio, and possible stat. Don’t be afraid of taking too many AP’s. When I told my friends I was taking 4, they were shocked but I’ve been handling it pretty well…so far :P</p>

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<p>I will probably take AP Calc AB outside of school online. I’m great at math so it shouldn’t be too hard. When you got home, you went straight to studying AP Calculus AB for about an hour? Sounds like a good idea. I can trick myself into thinking I am in school. Great technique!</p>

<p>I am usually not a procrastinator but sometimes I do mess up on time management. I am trying to get back to my usual schedule.</p>

<p>What’s AP Psych like? I took Psych 1 and I absolutely loved it. I won’t be able to take it next year though because it’s not available. Maybe junior year if they have it.</p>

<p>The AP Bio teacher isn’t so great at my school. She showed my friends and I one of her classes grades and only 3 students out of 20+ students have an A. Most of the others have Bs and Cs. A few Ds and like 2-3 Fs. I am really worried about that…however, biology is my favorite subject so maybe I could be like one of those 3 next year.</p>

<p>A lot of students at my school say AP World History is hard work because they get a lot of assignments. The teacher does have a great pass rate though. Lot’s of people say she prepares them well for the exams. Usually 4s and 5s. I will most likely have to take it because I took AP Human Geography, so the natural next step at my school is AP World. Plus, its supposed to prepare me for APUSH, which I will take in junior year.</p>

<p>AP Statistics seems to be an easy class so it could be my “break” from all the other ones.</p>

<p>Like I said, I might not be able to take Calc AB in school due to my conflicting schedule. So I may take it online.</p>

<p>I’ve heard APES is a good class to take along with AP Bio, but if it’s too “soft” an option as you say, then should I even bother with taking it? I love science, though not so sure about the ecology part…</p>

<p>Right now I am thinking Calculus AB, Biology, Stats, and World History. APES I am not sure about. Should make a thread about it maybe…</p>

<p>3 classes will be in school, Calc online if my schedule is still not straightened out.</p>

<p>My friends were all saying that AP classes are so hard and that taking more than 2 sophomore year would be insane. But I like to challenge my self and I am pretty sure I can handle it.</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your input Bioboy12! Great advice!</p>