Your thoughts on AP Statistics

<p>On a scale of 1-10 how hard is it? (1 being easiest)</p>

<p>Is it possibly to self study it without a textbook or taking the class? If so, how much time do I need for studying and at what pace should I go at?</p>

<p>3
Very fundamental mathematics. The "hard" is learning how to write correctly. Otherwise it's basically the same basic procedure for everything (except for last year's test, where the FR was a killer).</p>

<p>Got a 5 last year....it really is an easy course</p>

<p>well, </p>

<p>the only hard part about Stats is probability..</p>

<p>Stats emphasizes concepts and logical thinking over memorization and whatnot. It may be hard for those who have grown up memorizing lots of stuff and using "formulas", but is normally quite easy for those with good critical thinking. If you can write an English essay, you can understand stats. This doesn't mean you should take the course lightly or try to self-study it in a week -- statistics is literally the most useful course I've ever taken and is really a life-transforming, not GPA-boosting, experience. I used conditional probability and geometric distributions on my research project last summer when my friends suggested I use differential equations -- a much more advanced technique..</p>

<p>The probability stuff becomes a breeze if you read up on it before learning statistics. You could probably learn probability quite well in three summer days if you did good problems and read the textbook over and over and over again. (or just asked many friends for help.) In fact, probability was my favorite part of statistics because you didn't have to write. :)</p>

<p>It depends on the person. I'd give it a 2, but some people in my class who were very good in math struggled.</p>

<p>I'm kinda surprised by the responses. Someone in my class who got a B+(first quarter) in CalBC got a C+ in Stat for the first quarter. I got a B due to careless mistakes on the first test. </p>

<p>I don't really think it's a fundamental course... the free response questions look really intimidating.</p>

<p>When it comes to the test itself it is very easy. It is just the wording of your answers in the free response that may get you in the end.</p>

<p>I'd say its about 3-4, fairly easy, but can be a little challenging sometimes.</p>

<p>I loved statistics! AP test was really easy, but the class itself wasn't a walk in the park. It really depends on the teacher.</p>

<p>At my school, IB Math SL is divided into 3 courses: Calc, Geometry, and Stats. Stats is taken in 11th grade, while the other two are taken in 12th grade. Obviously, I know that IB Math SL isn't comparative to AP math courses (although math HL definitely would be), but I still think that the fact that Stats is taken in 11th grade should be some sort of indicator...</p>

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It really depends on the teacher.

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<p>Definitely. We had group quizzes. I HATE group quizzes, especially in Stats, where I always have to persuade my C student friends that yes, right-skewed distributions DO have higher means than medians.</p>

<p>3, everybody at my school is having trouble with the Central Limit Theorem for some reason. I also did before break, but that was before I generalized the theorem.</p>

<p>I'm going for 2-3.. it's a math course where you have to be a good reader... definitely easier than Calc BC, lol.</p>

<p>I'd go with 2. I got a 5 on it sophomore year with a terrible teacher and math is definitely not my strong point. The class itself was semi-difficult but since it sounds like you're not planning on actually taking the class...the exam was really easy, but I heard that it was just an easy test last year so I'm not sure.
Good Luck though!</p>

<p>I took AP Stats last year. I'd rate it a 3, as the class itself wasn't hard for me but the test was challenging, particularly the free-response questions. I thought I did terribly but got a 5, so just make flash cards of formulas and words and you'll do fine.</p>

<p>i thought the FR was a b**ch last year, but I got a 5, so I must have done something right...The MC is seriously a joke though. Definitely get down the inferential statics cuz there's alwz a question based on that, and get to know your calculator very well. good luck</p>

<p>I echo the previous comments about the FR being a *****, but the MC wasn't bad.</p>

<p>I didn't pay attention in class all year and did no prep, yet I still got a 5, so I would agree that the class is easy. Probably one of the easiest AP's.</p>