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Im a junior, in AP Calculus AB... i have a B-. We have to decided tomorrow, (dont ask me WHY guidance want this now) what class we plan on taking next year. Basically my choices are either AP Calc BC, or AP Stat. In my math class right now, we've covered trig, pre calc, and were on the 3rd chapter in the calc book, which we will finish next semester.

Anyways, for my problem/question, i think i want to do Calculus BC, but Im scared that it may be too difficult.
Something that makes me feel like its doable is the fact that the class is all year (we have block and normally classes are 1/2 year) and you go to class every other day. Alot of my problems with math are caused bc it goes so fast... but i think that since its every other day ill be able to do it a slower pace. The reason it is on oppoite days is bc its technically an IB class, the IB students have some other academic subject on opposite days. I, however, would have a study hall on days i dont have calculus... so i could spend that period going over myself what we learned the day before.
Another thing is that bc its an all year course, 9week grades are like a progress report, so, say i slip up and get a C the first 9 weeks... if i can bring it up to a B the next one, my grade for that half rounds up and goes down in my records as a B.

So, do yall think that i could do BC and still maintain a B? I know Stat would be way easier... but i WANT a challanging math class, even if its my toughest subject. However... my dad doesnt "tolerate" C's. so... what do i do?

By Plopfkop (Plopfkop) on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 05:51 pm: Edit

BC's tough, I'm struggling and I'm pretty damned good in math. Alot of people in my class wish they hadn't taken it, especially when combined with the normal stresses of senior year (then worrying about having admissions revoked because you failed the BC test). My advice is that its if you're going to complete Calc AB this year, and are not applying to engineering, its not worth the aggravation.

By Elgorila (Elgorila) on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 06:12 pm: Edit

Isn't a lot of the material in Calc AB the same in BC? In my school, after pre-calc, you can take either one. I got the impression that BC students learn the same material plus some.

Anyway, Calc BC is definitely a VERY hard course. Only take it if you are one of the best at math in your school (depending on the caliber of your school, of course). My BC class started with about 30 kids, now its down to 17. After 3.5 months, we've half way through the sixth chapter (of ten) in the book, while AB is starting ch. 4.

By Aspirer42 (Aspirer42) on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 06:37 pm: Edit

I went straight from Pre-Calc to APCalcBC at my school, so I think that taking AB for a year *and then* spending another whole year on BC would give you plenty of time to go over in excruciating detail every single facet of the curriculum that you find challenging in the slightest.
Take BC. Colleges like to see strength of schedule, and if you like math, it's definitely more interesting.

By Laceycheer (Laceycheer) on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 10:59 pm: Edit

thank you guys alot! ... math is my worst subject, but that doesnt really say much bc im still better than most. I have an 82 in AB calc... which i think is like the 4th highest or something out of like 20-odd kids. I know my grade is the best out of the 5 girls... they all have like C-'s