Non-honors PreCalculus to AP Calc - ok?

[Anonymous]

My DS was pretty stressed out by Honor Algebra II in 9th (earned a B one semester and an A the next) so we agreed it was fine for him to take regular PreCalculus in 10th. He's really enjoyed finding math to be pretty easy this year. Hindsight...he probably could have handled Honors PreCalc, but it's nice he hasn't been stressed.

Debating whether he should take AP Calculus AB next year or Calculus with Applications. He says he's up for the challenges of AP Calc (I think he's noticing most of his friends will be taking that course as well.)

Curious if anyone's kid has done this track, and how much of a struggle he may be in for not having done Honors PreCalc? He worked with a tutor last year and didn't need tutoring at all this year, but it's an option to reengage with the tutor again next year of course.

Thank you for your help!

[Anonymous]

AP AB
Tons of kids do this at DC's school. I wouldn't sweat it. Most of the Hon. Pre-cal kids go to BC. We don't know anyone who went from regular Pre-cal to applications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AP AB
Tons of kids do this at DC's school. I wouldn't sweat it. Most of the Hon. Pre-cal kids go to BC. We don't know anyone who went from regular Pre-cal to applications.

Thank you - this was very helpful!

[Anonymous]

DC (senior) was in similar situation. Took honor algebra 2 in 9th with struggles so decided to take regular precal in 10th. All was good in 10th. Took Cal AB in 11th (despite my suggestion to take cal with application). Cal AB was challenging for her. But with hard work and some help from her dad, DC managed to get one semester A and one semester B. Took the AP test and got a 5. DC was considering to take Cal BC in 12th but took AP statistics eventually.

[Anonymous]

NO don't do it. Very poor choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AP AB
Tons of kids do this at DC's school. I wouldn't sweat it. Most of the Hon. Pre-cal kids go to BC. We don't know anyone who went from regular Pre-cal to applications.

The students in Applications came from somewhere...

If the kid didn't like honors algebra 2 or honors precalculus, they won't like Calc AB.

Calc with Applications is more is line with humanities or marketing/business/psychology/social science college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP AB
Tons of kids do this at DC's school. I wouldn't sweat it. Most of the Hon. Pre-cal kids go to BC. We don't know anyone who went from regular Pre-cal to applications.

The students in Applications came from somewhere...

If the kid didn't like honors algebra 2 or honors precalculus, they won't like Calc AB.

Calc with Applications is more is line with humanities or marketing/business/psychology/social science college

This is incorrect. I hate algebra. I love calc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP AB
Tons of kids do this at DC's school. I wouldn't sweat it. Most of the Hon. Pre-cal kids go to BC. We don't know anyone who went from regular Pre-cal to applications.

The students in Applications came from somewhere...

If the kid didn't like honors algebra 2 or honors precalculus, they won't like Calc AB.

Calc with Applications is more is line with humanities or marketing/business/psychology/social science college

This is incorrect. I hate algebra. I love calc.

What calc do you do that somehow avoids algebra (and I presume precalculus)?

[Anonymous]

My kid did honors Alg 2, regular pre calc, and now in AP Calc AP. Got a B with a tutor first semester. Seems like most I know with this path engage a tutor. So decide whether it’s worth it. But it’s doable.

[Anonymous]

My kid did this.

Regular precalc to AP Calc (AB).
Aced AP Calc and got a 5 on the AP exam.

[Anonymous]

My kid hated math from alg to pre-calc. Loved calc (got a 5) and is getting a math minor now.

There is no "one size fits all" answer.