So basically, I have the AP Calculus BC exam in less than a month, and I have only covered until Unit 6 or 7 of the cirriculum. I am self studying this course (no teacher) and have not had much time to study bc of 6 other APs. I need to finish 8, 9, and 10 in less than 2 weeks. What can I do ? I would appreciate any help or resources you could provide. Also, I have not taken AP Calculus AB before.
I would not take the exam. Focus on the courses you are actually taking.
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You can try the study guide in the link below and youtube review videos by turksvids.
Hopefully it helps.
At least IMHO the only people who should be jumping ahead in math this far are students who are very good at math. However these are specifically the people who are likely to take quite a bit of math in the future, or alternatively take other classes that depend quite a bit on math. Calculus is a very important cornerstone for math, and for other subjects such as physics. This implies that you are likely to need to use calculus a lot in the future. It is worth taking the time to learn this very well.
By the way, I was a math major in university, and have used calculus quite often both in other classes and on the job.
I think that you could skip the calculus AP exam. Take calculus next year in a regular class.
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Don’t take the test. It will not help you for admissions.
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Honestly? I self studied AP calc bc as a junior and entered college as a math major in honors calculus iii (multivariable). It was an absolute nightmare, largely due to my shaky calc II foundations. I’d recommend either waiting until next year and learning it more carefully (if you’re a junior) or just taking calc II in college. It’s not what I would’ve wanted to hear either since I was always trying to get as ahead as possible and I loved math, but I really wish I had’ve done one of those two things.
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Thank you all for your advice.
I think I’m going to spend at least 5 hours each day for the next month learning everthing that I need to. I will be back in July with my score update.
Why ? You’ll not focus on the classes you have. This will give you zero boost for admission and like @elise123 shared, can hurt you.
There’s no substitute for taking the class. Even kids who do struggle at the next calc in college.
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Not sure why everybody is assuming he/she will use the AP credits and skip the course in college. Or that other courses will suffer by studying calc on your own.
Edit: Most colleges have a math placement test which tests precalculus and recommends what math course to start in college.
I have already learned the First 7 units. Only 3 more left.
You only need around a 56% ish to get a 5 on this exam. I’m confident I can do this.
Worst case scenario, I’ll get a 4.
I only said I need to finish 8, 9, and 10 in less than 2 weeks so that I could practice FRQs and past exams. I’ll probably cancel that goal and just try to finish the 3 units in 3 weeks, essentially doing 1 per week, reviewing on weekends and such, while reviewing the first 7 units. I’m pretty good at those.
This is true.
I’m sure I will do well on all my other exams.
So why else would they self study the class?
OP wrote this: . I am self studying this course (no teacher) and have not had much time to study bc of 6 other APs.
So if they were seeking advice, the advice is to focus on the tests for the classes you are in. But if you’re going to keep studying even after saying that and asking for advice, why ask?
Good luck to you.
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Anyway OP asked for study resources which I provided. It is up to him/her how they want to use their free time.
Check out Paul’s online math notes, Trefor Bazett, and Professor Leonard. For worked practice problems, look at blackpenredpen.
When watching solved past papers like https://youtu.be/dijW2IAIc00?si=_2Y0cII15X4dF3qq make sure to try to solve the problem before watching and pause again whenever the video gets you unstuck.
My college will show it as a repeat on your transcript if you have the credit and retake it anyway. You aren’t allowed to have it wiped because it’s an ap credit
Are you a junior or a senior? If you’re a senior I very highly recommend retaking it next year
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I got a 5 and didn’t have a good grasp on at least 25% of the material. Yes, you only need a 56% for a 5. But imagine trying to learn calc BC if you only knew 56% of AB!! You can get a 5 with large gaps in your knowledge, but you cannot excel in calc 3, diff eq, and other higher math classes with big gaps in your calc 2 knowledge. Calc 2 is all about solving more complicated integrals. Your professors likely will not take the time to go back and review it. If you don’t understand calc 2 concepts, you will be so lost and behind. This is coming from me and all my friends who also did exactly what you’re trying to do!!!
Edit: If for some reason you decide to take the exam, get a 4 or 5, but don’t feel like you truly understand all of it, please either get a tutor or review it in depth over the summer before you take any more math classes. You’ll thank yourself later. I got a 36 on the act math section without studying much, a near perfect score on the psat math, a 5 on calc ab, bc, and stats exams, and still spent countless hours studying for calc 3 that could’ve been significantly lessened if I had’ve just actually learned all of calc 2. I’m not just bad at math, and I’m not trying to be overly dramatic. Just saying what happened to myself and multiple classmates.
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Agree. But repeating gives you a better foundation for the next course Calc 2 or 3. This is what UCB(as an example) says on this topic.
Q: So, if I got a 3 or 4 on the AB Math, I can enroll directly in Math 1B?
A: Yes (with the exceptions mentioned above).
While the Math Department has found that a score of 3 or 4 shows that a student is ready to take college calculus, it is not an accurate indicator of how a student will do in a college math course. High school calculus is not necessarily the same as college calculus. The professor’s expectations of what the students should know and have internalized (and not just memorized) can differ greatly from what high school students might expect.
Various factors such as the strengths of a student’s math background, the schedule for the first semester, and work, commute, and any other time commitments play a crucial role in determining how a student will do in his/her first math course at Cal. If you feel that your math background is not as strong as you would like, you may choose to take Math 1A even if your AP score could waive the requirement. The units will count as part of your minimum units required for the semester, but you will not receive units for both the AP scores and the class toward graduation.
Wow I wish my school was like that. OP if you’re planning to retake it in college, check where you’re looking at going. Including your safeties (I’m at my safety :)) and make sure to request to have it wiped from your score before the deadline before you enroll if they will make you count it. I think it’s in May or June before you go to college.
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junior.