AP B/C Calc and AP Physics 1

[Anonymous]

My son will be a sophomore next year and wants to take both AP BC Calc and AP Physics 1 (he is in precalc this year). I am concerned that this will be too much for him. (He is also doing honors chemistry at the same time, but that's not my concern about his proposal).
What do people think? Would both of these AP courses at once be too much?

[Anonymous]

Depends on the kid, there's no right or universal answer to this. Honestly the Honors Chem is the odd choice to me here, why not take Chem AP in 11th instead? Is it a pre-req to some other course path he wants to complete in HS?

[Anonymous]

there's no right or universal answer to this. Honestly the Honors Chem is the odd choice to me here, why not take Chem AP in 11th instead? Is it a pre-req to some other course path he wants to complete in HS?

He's not super interested in Chemistry, but it is a requirement to select from among 3 different sciences to get an advanced diploma. He's already done bio, and has no interest in earth science. Physics is what he really wants to study.

[Anonymous]

there's no right or universal answer to this. Honestly the Honors Chem is the odd choice to me here, why not take Chem AP in 11th instead? Is it a pre-req to some other course path he wants to complete in HS?


He's not super interested in Chemistry, but it is a requirement to select from among 3 different sciences to get an advanced diploma. He's already done bio, and has no interest in earth science. Physics is what he really wants to study.

To clarify, he was thinking he would take AP Physics I, AP Physics 2, and then AP Physics C.

[Anonymous]

It's fine.

[Anonymous]

He sounds advanced in math so it is probably fine. It is a challenging course load for sure

[Anonymous]

If he really wants to study physics he shouldn’t take AP physics 1. It a conceptual / not much math class while the higher AP physics classes use calculus. If he really wants to study physics he should self study in 10th and in 11th after taking calculus bc take AP physics C.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he really wants to study physics he shouldn’t take AP physics 1. It a conceptual / not much math class while the higher AP physics classes use calculus. If he really wants to study physics he should self study in 10th and in 11th after taking calculus bc take AP physics C.

He should self study calculus and take Multivariable Calc. Self study Spanish and take AP Spanish. Self study programming and take AP CS A.
Self study bassoon and join Honors Orchestra.

Self study everything, don't bother with classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the kid, there's no right or universal answer to this. Honestly the Honors Chem is the odd choice to me here, why not take Chem AP in 11th instead? Is it a pre-req to some other course path he wants to complete in HS?

Honors Chem is a prereq for AP Chem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

there's no right or universal answer to this. Honestly the Honors Chem is the odd choice to me here, why not take Chem AP in 11th instead? Is it a pre-req to some other course path he wants to complete in HS?


He's not super interested in Chemistry, but it is a requirement to select from if among 3 different sciences to get an advanced diploma. He's already done bio, and has no interest in earth science. Physics is what he really wants to study.

To clarify, he was thinking he would take AP Physics I, AP Physics 2, and then AP Physics C.

This is great for someone who loves physics and wants to really learn it well, not skate by to pass a required course for a different major and then forget all about it.

[Anonymous]

If he really wants to study physics he shouldn’t take AP physics 1. It a conceptual / not much math class while the higher AP physics classes use calculus. If he really wants to study physics he should self study in 10th and in 11th after taking calculus bc take AP physics C.

He intends to take AP Physics C as well at a later date. His school recommends (but does not require) AP Physics 1 as a precursor to C.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son will be a sophomore next year and wants to take both AP BC Calc and AP Physics 1 (he is in precalc this year). I am concerned that this will be too much for him. (He is also doing honors chemistry at the same time, but that's not my concern about his proposal).
What do people think? Would both of these AP courses at once be too much?

Is their precalculus very strong? (Not just A in school, but really comfortable with it, comfortable with Marthcounts/AMC level difficulty, and will know basic limits and derivatives before end of year? ) If ya, good to go. If not, might prefer to slow down with AP Calc AB.

[Anonymous]

To clarify, he was thinking he would take AP Physics I, AP Physics 2, and then AP Physics C.


This is great for someone who loves physics and wants to really learn it well, not skate by to pass a required course for a different major and then forget all about it.

He wants to be an electrical engineer and thinks a solid background in physics will be helpful. I don't have personal knowledge either way.

[Anonymous]

Is their precalculus very strong? (Not just A in school, but really comfortable with it, comfortable with Marthcounts/AMC level difficulty, and will know basic limits and derivatives before end of year? )

This is a reasonable question, but unfortunately not one that I have the background to answer.

[Anonymous]

What math would he take junior and senior years? I’m a math teacher and I’ve had a good number of sophomores take Calc BC. Some fly through the course, no issues, love the class. Some really struggle and don’t get much out of the course. Those kids should have done AB first. I would have your kid ask their precalc teacher what they think.