<p>I know this is a stupid thread, but I want to settle a petty argument with a friend. So, which is more impressive:</p>
<p>A sophomore who self studies for the calculus ab exam with no formal instruction at all</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>A sophomore who receives formal instruction for calculus ab and self-studies the few extra materials for the bc exam. </p>
<p>So, I ask you for your opinion since there are many voices in college confidential. My friend and I can not really settle this petty argument with just two minds. So please voice your thoughts. Thank you.</p>
<p>I’d say studying for AB on your own and then taking the exam.</p>
<p>If one were formally instructed in AB, he/she would easily grasp the concepts in BC, thus allowing for easier self-instruction as opposed to studying AB alone with no formal instruction.</p>
<p>To be honest, I don’t get what is so impressive about self-studying. Personally, I find it harder to take a course because then you’d have to deal with a teacher who makes you do unnecessary work. A course which takes >100 hours of instruction time kind of sounds harder to me when the exam could be self-studied in 30 hours (give or take depending on the exam).</p>
<p>Self-study is really just a way to get around all the busy work teachers give you, but for the denser tests like Bio, Chem, and Calc, it’s definitely more difficult than the usual self study, but still not as time consuming as a real class. </p>
<p>But yeah, the self study in this case is more impressive.</p>
<p>I was a sophomore who had formal instruction in Calc AB and took the BC test and got a 5.</p>
<p>I have to say it doesn’t matter which one is more impressive (the first one is though), because the 5 on the BC test will get you further (start off in multivariable, etc…).</p>
<p>I had formal in AB as a freshman and self-studied BC in summer because I wanted to accelerate. I’d say there wasn’t much extra to cover (I hope i get a 5 on the test though). AB is probably harder to do completely independently, but if you have only taken that and not BC, bc is more important… the first is more impressive, but the second is better</p>
<p>If the person who self studied ab had an opportunity to take a class then didn’t, he is dumb and that is not impressive. If he did not have the chance, then he is the more impressive of the two.</p>
<p>Just because you can get a 5 on the test doesn’t mean that you truly understand Calculus. You may have the skills you need for the exam, but I think it would be pretty tough to actually develop a thorough understanding of all of the concepts without a course, even if you can do the AP problems.</p>
<p>I self-studied precal and AB (coming out of geometry currently in A-II) and made a 5 on a Baron’s practice test. I was then offered an opportunity to take two math courses next year if I don’t take the AP test. Every single adviser I spoke to told me to not take it.</p>
<p>Wow, I can’t believe someone bump this old thread of mine. This issue was settled almost a year ago with my friend. Well, both of us got 5’s and it doesn’t matter which one is impressive anymore.</p>
<p>@Ramblinmann That is what my friend did: he took MVC and also Differential Equation during the fall.</p>
<p>@mockingbird7 I was self-studying Calculus AB at the time when I was taking Precalculus Honors at my school.</p>
<p>@Poeme It’s true that back then, I didn’t have a firm understanding of calculus, but after studying/reviewing BC material, reviewing AB, and helping my friends with their calculus hw this school year, I became more experienced with calculus. I finally understand how to analyze graphs and understand other concepts. Moreover, I hope you know that I do not obtain all of my calculus knowledge from a study guide. I obtain all of it from a calculus textbook.</p>