<p>Intelligent teenagers are all studying the exact same material across the nation to pass the same exact tests. We are conforming!! AHHHH,
<p>definitely prepare us for college
that’s why if you take the AP course and get a high grade, you will get college credit for that course and wouldn’t have to take it again in college
i.e. taking AP Physics C in HS is the equivalent of taking the required physics 101 course in college.</p>
<p>If you really think that way, you’re better off saying educational institutes = conformity.</p>
<p>well, once you get rid of the required courses, you get space to take other courses in subject areas which you actually enjoy</p>
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<p>What’s the problem with that?</p>
<p>Standardization, socialism, communism. . . lol</p>
<p>I have to say that AP sucks. I took calculus 1 and 2 at community college and the course material is much more indepth and rigourous than what ap covers. Right now I’m studying for the AP Calc BC exam and I’m scoring fives like nothing. I sweat blood to get an A in both courses at community college. Students in my calc class had already taken ap calc bc and scored fives on the exam, but they suffered throughout the semester. As a result more than half of the class dropped, another 25% failed and only 10% passed with C or better. And the teacher would waive one question for each exam! Three students recieved A’s and I was one them (not glorifing myself or anything). Standardizing this sort of subject is just pitiful.
*AP does not match up with college courses. Though studying for AP exams will prepare for you college work, but it is not its EQUIVALENT.</p>
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<p>Almost without exception, I have heard the exact opposite from others who took calculus at community college: they reported that the AP curriculum was more difficult. I am sure, however, that most top colleges have calculus classes that are much more difficult than the AP curriculum. </p>
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<p>Why?</p>
<p>College Calculus does cover more materials than AP Calculus. For example, a college calculus II teaches the application of integration to work and center of mass, whereas AP Calculus BC does not. I believe that AP Calculus sucks since it’s not proof-based or high school teachers cover certain topics too broadly. Moreover, the AP Calculus Exam itself is so broad in topics that it does not emphasize one topic at a time, which does not requires in-depth critical thinking for every MC or FR problem but only for some. Furthermore, because the curve for AP Calculus, especially BC, is so lenient, probably anyone can earn a 5 without ever learning series or differential equations or review the material with just a simple glance.</p>
<p>Not all AP Scholars take the same exams… Also, AP exams cover only intro college material, if that. Assuming all those “AP scholar clones” will be going to college soon, they’ll be learning a variety of specific subjects much more in depth. So I wouldn’t worry about diversity disappearing because of AP exams. ;)</p>
<p>I also would not worry about America going communist because of AP exams. The college board seems quite capitalist to me. ;)</p>
<p>If we didn’t take AP’s now, we’d take the same classes in college…</p>
<p>haha i know…but there are so stressful and they consume my life!! So I just had to make some kinda intellectual excuse for why I hate these tests, even though getting a 4 or 5 brings joy</p>
<p>AP rules…I mean I could not have imagine myself doing IB…</p>
<p>AP is so flexible.</p>
<p>I love the AP program. The opportunity for saving time and money and earning college credits is just too good to pass up.</p>
<p>@silverturtle: I dont like the AP program(Calculus) because it focuses on applications rather than theory. On the long run, those who know theory are better equipped for future course than those who just suceeded in AP. I’m not downplaying AP, it just disgusts and saddens me when many students believe they are smart when they’re not.</p>
<p>I used Apostol Calculus, and it is harder than any contemporary textbooks out there.</p>
<p>After taking English at a community college, and now studying for AP lit, I have to say AP exams aren’t even close to the level of college work. They’re good to get general requirements out of the way, but if you actually need to know the course after the AP exam…well you’re in trouble.</p>
<p>@xxsteelxx: Not just AP calculus, but American math and American education in general are focused in application rather than theory. What can I say? We’re a society of doers, not ponderers who like to focus on theory. It has its ups and its downsides.</p>
<p>^^^how can you do something without knowing where it comes from? I want to make a cheese burger, but I don’t know where to buy cheese . . . Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it?</p>
<p>Yeah, all my math courses are totally application-based (physics, engineering, etc) and I’m upset, but oh well.</p>
<p>You might want to read the PDF linked to on this page: [Lockhart’s</a> Lament](<a href=“http://www.maa.org/devlin/devlin_03_08.html]Lockhart’s”>http://www.maa.org/devlin/devlin_03_08.html)</p>