How much harder is AP Calc BC AFTER taking AP Calc AB?

[Anonymous]

It should be easy, but there is one caveat.
As people have posted above AB is part of BC, not a prerequisite like other math classes in a sequence.
So the first half to two thirds of BC will be easy for someone who got an A in AB.
That is an advantage. Now the downside is there will be a large increase in workload at the end of the course, and if the kid has gotten into a habit of taking this class easy, then they could end up doing poorly right at the end when the new material shows up.

[Anonymous]

Many families I know have kids who did AP Calc AB and then BC and their kids went on to major in engineering. I was under the impression it was something you don't have to do (AB then BC) but that it is something many do. I was not under the impression it was looked down upon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Decent summary from Prep Scholar - take it for what it's worth.

In most cases, we don't recommend taking both AB and BC Calculus. AB Calculus and BC Calculus are similar enough that taking them one after the other will be a lot like taking the same class twice, and it'll probably be pretty boring for you.

Taking both also usually won't help your college applications because it will look like you needed two years to learn calculus instead of one. Also, if you're looking to get a lot of college credits from your AP classes, you can usually get more from taking AB Calculus and another non-calculus AP than you would from taking both AB and BC Calculus.

https://blog.prepscholar.com/should-i-take-ap-calculus-ab-or-ap-calculus-bc

OP here: it’s not a mid year jump; it’s for course selection for next year. The counselor told my child today that AP Calc BC would look better next year than AP Stats.

AP stats is a joke. My son took it as a junior along with his DE multivariable calc class. If your son needs an easy A and an easy 5 on the exam AP stars is for you.

I agree that taking BC calc would be a redo, but looks way better on an application than stats. I’d look at stats as an elective if anything at all.

It might be easier, but is probably more useful for a large percentage of students. My son did take AP stats along with other advanced math classes. The AP credit allowed him to skip intro stats which was required for his CS degree.