<p>Frazzled, I think you are right. The student who goes into engineering as a true beginner in calculus is at a disadvantage and will probably need to be prepared to put in more time; especially if they go to a school like my S’s that discourages using AP credit for calculus. While the school does have placement exams these only test for readiness for calc and not level of proficiency in it. Kids who test as not being ready for calc are required to take a precalc class. </p>
<p>S’s school stresses that proficiency in HS AP calc does not mean the student is ready for calc 3 and there aren’t any advanced beginner classes in calc as there are in language classes in some schools. </p>
<p>Retaking calc with a strong AP score isn’t the same as retaking a language for an easy A. The retake isn’t for the easy A it is to maximize the possibility for success at the next level and in the overall program.</p>
<p>Life is never a level playing field. In physics I heard my S mention that if he got one prof he would have to go to tutoring and with another he would not. There are many variables but all things are never equal, all our kids can do is the best they can do with the hand they are dealt and the choices they make.</p>