“it is always assumed that the student is capable of taking multivariable calculus next, without even knowing how the student did in the calculus BC course or AP exam, or what the college’s math placement recommendations with respect to AP scores are.”
Are you saying take m/v in high school in a community college or taking linear algebra, m/v or diff eq their first year of college? If you finish your hs math curriculum in 2 or 3 years, you have no choice but to take something at a c/c since you need four years of math, even if they got a 1 on AP assuming you passed the class.
“Why is there a common recommendation to repeat AP credit for a college frosh, but not for a high school student taking more advanced math at a college?”
I don’t think there’s a common recommendation, it depends on the student, as the thread has shown. These kids taking advanced math in high school are not going to have too many issues with math in college, not saying they’re going to cruise through. And 60% of students who take the BC exam get a 4 or 5, I didn’t see a breakout by class, but will assume that the ones getting a 3 or less are seniors or freshman who stretched too hard.
“Also, the common recommendation is to repeat AP credit seems to waste whatever effort was made by the parent and student to get on track to take calculus in high school.”
Agree, esp for non-stem, if you get a 4 or 5 in Calc AB/BC, you’re better off using the credit and taking something else, maybe stats course or two to fulfill your math requirement, much more useful. And as I mentioned earlier, intro calc class(es) can be huge weedout.