3 answers
Aileen
Student
Vienna, Virginia
4
Questions
Updated
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For my freshman year, should I take AP Precalc AB or BC? If BC, should I take Multivariable Calc & Lin Alg or just AP Stats for my junior year? If I take AB, that means I will most likely take Calc BC in 11th grade, which doesn't sound too appealing. The idea is if I'm taking BC, I could directly go on to Calc BC for sophomore year, so I could have my 11th grade year easier and just take AP Stats instead. However, I'm just worried it will be too much to handle.
I'm currently a rising freshman and I've taken all previous math classes before.
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3 answers
Peter Baylies
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
6
Answers
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
Peter’s Answer
If you've taken them all before, you might want to ask if you can take a different course or place out of a course. Is there a course in Number Theory or Discrete Mathematics available? How far do you want to go in math in the future, or do you have a career path in mind that might benefit from specific math skills? For example, Linear Algebra is a great subject to know well for AI research or computer graphics. On the other hand, statistics would be valuable for data science or actuarial science. Consider what your goal is and which of these math courses would help you pursue your goals.
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
258
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
There is the sequence, AP Precalculus, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, AP Statistics, as you stated.
It would be logical to first complete AP Precalculus first to get you prepared for the rigor of AP Calculus AB, and then AP Calculus BC. After that, the AP Statistics will almost be a vacation.
If you earn a score of at least 4, many colleges will articulate AP Precalculus into College Algebra, AP Calculus AB into Calculus I, AP Calculus BC into Calculus II, and AP Statistics into Introductory/Elementary Statistics.
I am not sure about Multivariable Calculus & Linear Algebra. There are no AP courses with correspondence. You may want to wait for college to take Calculus III (Multivariable Calculus & Vector Calculus), and Linear Algebra.
To sum up, it would be prudent to just take the sequence: AP Precalculus, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, AP Statistics. Pace it properly in your high-school years.
It would be logical to first complete AP Precalculus first to get you prepared for the rigor of AP Calculus AB, and then AP Calculus BC. After that, the AP Statistics will almost be a vacation.
If you earn a score of at least 4, many colleges will articulate AP Precalculus into College Algebra, AP Calculus AB into Calculus I, AP Calculus BC into Calculus II, and AP Statistics into Introductory/Elementary Statistics.
I am not sure about Multivariable Calculus & Linear Algebra. There are no AP courses with correspondence. You may want to wait for college to take Calculus III (Multivariable Calculus & Vector Calculus), and Linear Algebra.
To sum up, it would be prudent to just take the sequence: AP Precalculus, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, AP Statistics. Pace it properly in your high-school years.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Anuj Gupta
Software Engineering
330
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Anuj’s Answer
Trust your math strengths—the fast track is actually your best option.
It is incredible that you are entering high school already finished with Algebra 2. Because your school tracks Precalculus to directly match the Calculus courses (AB vs. BC), you are staring down a classic choice between pacing and long-term workload.
The 11th Grade Plot Twist: Stats vs. Multivariable/Linear Algebra
Your idea to take AP Statistics in 11th grade to "have an easier year" is a common strategy, but it comes with a massive trap for a student like you.
Remember how reading and comprehension aren't your favorite? AP Statistics is actually a reading, writing, and language class disguised as a math class. You rarely do complex math calculations in AP Stats; instead, you write long paragraphs explaining why a data sample is biased or interpreting a word problem.
On the flip side, Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra are pure, beautifully abstract, highly logical math. There are no essays. If you love spatial puzzles, matrices, and pure numbers, Multivariable Calc might actually feel easier and more enjoyable to your brain than AP Stats, even if it sounds more intimidating on paper.
The Recommendation
Enroll in AP Precalc BC for your freshman year. 2. Take AP Calculus BC as a sophomore. 3. Wait until the end of 10th grade to choose your 11th-grade class. Once you see how you handle the abstract thinking of Calculus BC, you will know whether you want to continue with pure math (Multivariable) or shift gears into data analysis (Stats).
It is incredible that you are entering high school already finished with Algebra 2. Because your school tracks Precalculus to directly match the Calculus courses (AB vs. BC), you are staring down a classic choice between pacing and long-term workload.
The 11th Grade Plot Twist: Stats vs. Multivariable/Linear Algebra
Your idea to take AP Statistics in 11th grade to "have an easier year" is a common strategy, but it comes with a massive trap for a student like you.
Remember how reading and comprehension aren't your favorite? AP Statistics is actually a reading, writing, and language class disguised as a math class. You rarely do complex math calculations in AP Stats; instead, you write long paragraphs explaining why a data sample is biased or interpreting a word problem.
On the flip side, Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra are pure, beautifully abstract, highly logical math. There are no essays. If you love spatial puzzles, matrices, and pure numbers, Multivariable Calc might actually feel easier and more enjoyable to your brain than AP Stats, even if it sounds more intimidating on paper.
The Recommendation
Enroll in AP Precalc BC for your freshman year. 2. Take AP Calculus BC as a sophomore. 3. Wait until the end of 10th grade to choose your 11th-grade class. Once you see how you handle the abstract thinking of Calculus BC, you will know whether you want to continue with pure math (Multivariable) or shift gears into data analysis (Stats).