<p>Next year I'm thinking about taking AP Statistics. The class would likely be little more than a self study class with a free textbook and materials, since the teacher at my school has a 0% pass rate for the class.
I'm already taking 3 APs and Calculus and Anatomy and Physiology plus AP Psychology self-study. Is AP Stats a very demanding curriculum? Is it closer to the concept-based AP Economics (both) or closer to the obviously math oriented AP Calculus?</p>
<p>Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>In comparison to other exams, the curriculum is not very demanding at all. A lot of people in my class struggled with it, but then again, we had a first-year teacher. Less than a third of all her classes combined took the AP exam this year. Her only experience with the subject was an AP Stat summer course for new teachers. She did not know ANYTHING. She led us astray on some things that I had to step in and correct for her. So basically, I pretty much ended up self-studying and found that the exam covered material that we didn't talk about in class. Much of it I had to read and learn on my own. However, with the help of a good review book, I'm expecting a 4 or 5 on the exam. So it is definitely doable, even under self-study conditions. I took AP Calculus, Stat, and Econ all at the same time this year, and I don't think that Stat is more similar to either Calculus or Economics. Stat is kind of a completely different subject all on its own, mainly with its strong probability base. Stat seemed a lot easier since took it with Calculus, which I believe is a more difficult math class. The only similarities between those subjects I can really see are the graphical displays. However, if you are math oriented, you should have no trouble with Stat.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info!</p>
<p>No problem. Get a good review book to make up for the teacher (I used Barron's and REA) and good luck! :)</p>
<p>It's a complete joke, you'll be fine! I found that it was much more conceptual than mathematical, compared to my more technical classes, such as Calculus, Physics, and Computer Science. Looking through the MC section, there's hardly any math- each question comes with a block of text. If you understand the concepts, you can easily memorize the steps to solving the same problems since there are only a few types of questions that they ask. Since the curriculum doesn't touch on any of the calculus behind the formulas and problems, the non-math-oriented people seemed to do just as well in my class. Barron's was really helpful; they broke it up into small sections each ending with about 20 MC's (I found that Stats MC's were hard to find in other books such as Princeton Review, etc.)</p>
<p>It's odd, really. The majority of students in my class seemed to struggle, but realistically speaking, doing well in AP Stat is fairly easy because there are two routes: you can either take the time to understand the theory behind the formulas and conditions that must be met to use the formulas, or you can simply memorize everything. Both methods should be enough to get you a 5.</p>
<p>Over all, I think the most important part by far is probably logic and understanding concepts, as 314159 has already said. :)</p>
<p>I agree that it isn't very demanding at all, btu I really enjoyed AP Stats - probably one of my favorite math classes ever. I'm not sure exactly why, but something about the reasoning behind it really clicked. I think it's actually less pure math and more applying logic and reasoning to mathematical situations - our head of department actually tells some students that "if you prefer English take AP Stats first, if you prefer math take AP Calc first" (although the majority, like me, do both anyway). So I definitely agree that it's more conceptual.</p>
<p>If you're a good math student with good common sense, then you'll be absolutely fine. :)</p>
<p>Keep in mind that although Stat is easier in comparison to other APs, especially other maths like Calc, it still requires attention in getting all of the details down. There are some details that you need to get down in order to make full points on the FRQs. It is all about the little details on that exam.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info guys; I decided to take it next year.</p>
<p>Nice, it really is a good math class to take. The schedule has been changed for exams next year, so you'll get an additional week of time to prepare for the exam as well. Good luck :)</p>
<p>alittlemonster, AP Stats is fairly easy. However, the people who have posted above are all smart, so you shouldn't take "It's a complete joke" overly seriously. Depending on your background in statistics, I think you should allot about two months of intermittent study to prepare for it. The Barrons book is excellent. It is somewhat more difficult than the actual exam, so it's great prep. The Princeton Review book is closer to the level of the real thing. There should be a thread again next year on tips for the FRQ.</p>
<p>^Thanks for the tips!</p>
<p>Barron's is more difficult, so you will be more than prepared. I found Princeton Review to be a little on the easy side. I thought REA's questions were a little tricky, but tested the concepts well and matched the exam the most closely of the review books I used.</p>