AP Pre-calculus resources/study guides

[Anonymous]

If it’s an AP class it should have videos and guides in AP classroom. There’s also Precalc at Khan academy which may help. There’s a “Get Ready” for AP precalc but that seems like a course you would take over the summer before AP Precalc. If you are FCPS you can email the parent resource center and they will email you a list of tutors in the area if that is more what you are looking for. Honestly, anyone can probably do that. I don’t think they check if you are in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you need a tutor to do well in an AP course, you should not be taking an AP course. Have your kid switch out of the AP version and into honors or regular. Make the jump to AP next year with another year of maturity and math foundation under their belt.

That's a dumb take. Kids have tutors in college and graduate. I have a B.S. and Masters in Engineering (EE and also minored in math). I used peer tutoring and had a private tutor sometimes in college. I'm now a successful engineer. And probably, much to your horror, I also used the writing center sometimes.

Kids needing a tutor is not an indication they don't belong in a class. Maybe they need more repitition than the class allows, maybe the teacher sucks, maybe the teacher has a heavy accent, maybe the teacher is great but they need to see the course from different angles/approaches.

Thank you for saying this! I’ve noticed when my child does poorly it’s usually because the teacher sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's my understanding that FCPS is teaching AP precalc the same as the old precalc class - so any textbook or study guide for precalc who work.

They're teaching differently and they are testing differently too, like the testing would be on AP tests, with Free Response Questions, etc.

It seems very difficult at our school. A step up from honors, which makes sense, given the 1.0 bump, but our school stopped offering honors so here my DC is.

What district are you in that still gives more points for AP than honors? Colleges recalculate WGPA anyway.

AP Pre calc is specifically designed as a small course because districts have different math progressions. One of the units isn't even on the test, and the prescribed curriculum is smaller than an honors curriculum.

AP precalc is intended for students who won't take a STEM calculus course. It's like AP Env Sci vs Biology or AP CS Principles vs CS AB.

How could it be harder than Honors?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you need a tutor to do well in an AP course, you should not be taking an AP course. Have your kid switch out of the AP version and into honors or regular. Make the jump to AP next year with another year of maturity and math foundation under their belt.

That's a dumb take. Kids have tutors in college and graduate. I have a B.S. and Masters in Engineering (EE and also minored in math). I used peer tutoring and had a private tutor sometimes in college. I'm now a successful engineer. And probably, much to your horror, I also used the writing center sometimes.

Kids needing a tutor is not an indication they don't belong in a class. Maybe they need more repitition than the class allows, maybe the teacher sucks, maybe the teacher has a heavy accent, maybe the teacher is great but they need to see the course from different angles/approaches.

They have a point. If a kid needs a tutor just to stay afloat in a college-level class as a high schooler, then it is reasonable to say the kid is not ready to handle college-level material. Of course there can be exceptions and other circumstances like terrible teachers, but it is indeed a red flag that they've been accelerated by their parents' will and not by their own motivation and capacity.

Peer tutoring in real college is fine because college students take age-appropriate classes where they've proven through a math placement exam and prerequisites that they are in the appropriate class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's my understanding that FCPS is teaching AP precalc the same as the old precalc class - so any textbook or study guide for precalc who work.

They're teaching differently and they are testing differently too, like the testing would be on AP tests, with Free Response Questions, etc.

It seems very difficult at our school. A step up from honors, which makes sense, given the 1.0 bump, but our school stopped offering honors so here my DC is.

What district are you in that still gives more points for AP than honors? Colleges recalculate WGPA anyway.

AP Pre calc is specifically designed as a small course because districts have different math progressions. One of the units isn't even on the test, and the prescribed curriculum is smaller than an honors curriculum.

AP precalc is intended for students who won't take a STEM calculus course. It's like AP Env Sci vs Biology or AP CS Principles vs CS AB.

How could it be harder than Honors?

Wrong. Some schools in FCPS are prohibiting students from taking AP Calc BC unless they first took AP Precalc. Please don't say things you don't know are true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's my understanding that FCPS is teaching AP precalc the same as the old precalc class - so any textbook or study guide for precalc who work.

They're teaching differently and they are testing differently too, like the testing would be on AP tests, with Free Response Questions, etc.

It seems very difficult at our school. A step up from honors, which makes sense, given the 1.0 bump, but our school stopped offering honors so here my DC is.

What district are you in that still gives more points for AP than honors? Colleges recalculate WGPA anyway.

AP Pre calc is specifically designed as a small course because districts have different math progressions. One of the units isn't even on the test, and the prescribed curriculum is smaller than an honors curriculum.

AP precalc is intended for students who won't take a STEM calculus course. It's like AP Env Sci vs Biology or AP CS Principles vs CS AB.

How could it be harder than Honors?

I’m in FCPS which is the forum we are in? And yes you take this to move to bc calc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you need a tutor to do well in an AP course, you should not be taking an AP course. Have your kid switch out of the AP version and into honors or regular. Make the jump to AP next year with another year of maturity and math foundation under their belt.

That's a dumb take. Kids have tutors in college and graduate. I have a B.S. and Masters in Engineering (EE and also minored in math). I used peer tutoring and had a private tutor sometimes in college. I'm now a successful engineer. And probably, much to your horror, I also used the writing center sometimes.

Kids needing a tutor is not an indication they don't belong in a class. Maybe they need more repitition than the class allows, maybe the teacher sucks, maybe the teacher has a heavy accent, maybe the teacher is great but they need to see the course from different angles/approaches.

They have a point. If a kid needs a tutor just to stay afloat in a college-level class as a high schooler, then it is reasonable to say the kid is not ready to handle college-level material. Of course there can be exceptions and other circumstances like terrible teachers, but it is indeed a red flag that they've been accelerated by their parents' will and not by their own motivation and capacity.

Peer tutoring in real college is fine because college students take age-appropriate classes where they've proven through a math placement exam and prerequisites that they are in the appropriate class.

If a kid took Algebra 1 HN in 7th, Geometry HN in 8th, Algebra 2 HN in 9th and scored over 97% in each class and the school does not have Honors Precalc but only regular and AP, what do you think they should take in 10th grade? Please enlighten me. And which course will help them in AP Calc AB?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's my understanding that FCPS is teaching AP precalc the same as the old precalc class - so any textbook or study guide for precalc who work.

They're teaching differently and they are testing differently too, like the testing would be on AP tests, with Free Response Questions, etc.

It seems very difficult at our school. A step up from honors, which makes sense, given the 1.0 bump, but our school stopped offering honors so here my DC is.

What district are you in that still gives more points for AP than honors? Colleges recalculate WGPA anyway.

AP Pre calc is specifically designed as a small course because districts have different math progressions. One of the units isn't even on the test, and the prescribed curriculum is smaller than an honors curriculum.

AP precalc is intended for students who won't take a STEM calculus course. It's like AP Env Sci vs Biology or AP CS Principles vs CS AB.

How could it be harder than Honors?

Wrong. Some schools in FCPS are prohibiting students from taking AP Calc BC unless they first took AP Precalc. Please don't say things you don't know are true.

FCPS gives more points for AP than honors. AP is 1 pt grade bump. Honors is 0.5 pt grade bump.

And some schools got rid of Honors Precalc and replaced it with AP Precalc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's my understanding that FCPS is teaching AP precalc the same as the old precalc class - so any textbook or study guide for precalc who work.

They're teaching differently and they are testing differently too, like the testing would be on AP tests, with Free Response Questions, etc.

It seems very difficult at our school. A step up from honors, which makes sense, given the 1.0 bump, but our school stopped offering honors so here my DC is.

What district are you in that still gives more points for AP than honors? Colleges recalculate WGPA anyway.

AP Pre calc is specifically designed as a small course because districts have different math progressions. One of the units isn't even on the test, and the prescribed curriculum is smaller than an honors curriculum.

AP precalc is intended for students who won't take a STEM calculus course. It's like AP Env Sci vs Biology or AP CS Principles vs CS AB.

How could it be harder than Honors?

I’m in FCPS which is the forum we are in? And yes you take this to move to bc calc

+1

LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 10th grader has a C+ currently. Always As in previous courses. She says she understands it, but is choking on tests and quizzes.

OP here. This is what is happening here. Frustrating as homework and stuff is all done and DC say they understand it. Last test DC thought did well but got a C (which will come up a bit with corrections and a retake (hopefully). (Has a very high C+ in the class).

DC's teacher last year rec'd DC take it as it as "just like Honors but you get the 1 point bump" and DC had an A last year. I feel like this has not turned out to be the case. But that's neither here nor there as this is where we are.

Just looking for something -other than the tutor- that may give a bit of help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you need a tutor to do well in an AP course, you should not be taking an AP course. Have your kid switch out of the AP version and into honors or regular. Make the jump to AP next year with another year of maturity and math foundation under their belt.

What are you even saying? This may be the dumbest thing I've read on here in awhile. My kid has had a math tutor since Alg. 1 HN (during Covid) for enrichment and to fill gaps. Math is hard to teach, imo, and the extra explanation and work is helpful as sometimes it's not explained well in class (or the kid is not understanding what the teacher is saying).

DC never needed a tutor for math remediation but for these other things. And it is super helpful to be able to ask the questions and stuff 1:1. Lots of kids in college are tutored.

[Anonymous]

Op. I have told my Dd who also has a c to meet with teacher as often as possible. With the FRQ she needs to figure out exactly what he’s looking for. This is in addition to a tutor.

Her teacher is great and is helping before and after but it’s new for everyone. All her friends have b- or c. StresSSSSS!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you need a tutor to do well in an AP course, you should not be taking an AP course. Have your kid switch out of the AP version and into honors or regular. Make the jump to AP next year with another year of maturity and math foundation under their belt.

That's a dumb take. Kids have tutors in college and graduate. I have a B.S. and Masters in Engineering (EE and also minored in math). I used peer tutoring and had a private tutor sometimes in college. I'm now a successful engineer. And probably, much to your horror, I also used the writing center sometimes.

Kids needing a tutor is not an indication they don't belong in a class. Maybe they need more repitition than the class allows, maybe the teacher sucks, maybe the teacher has a heavy accent, maybe the teacher is great but they need to see the course from different angles/approaches.

They have a point. If a kid needs a tutor just to stay afloat in a college-level class as a high schooler, then it is reasonable to say the kid is not ready to handle college-level material. Of course there can be exceptions and other circumstances like terrible teachers, but it is indeed a red flag that they've been accelerated by their parents' will and not by their own motivation and capacity.

Peer tutoring in real college is fine because college students take age-appropriate classes where they've proven through a math placement exam and prerequisites that they are in the appropriate class.

If a kid took Algebra 1 HN in 7th, Geometry HN in 8th, Algebra 2 HN in 9th and scored over 97% in each class and the school does not have Honors Precalc but only regular and AP, what do you think they should take in 10th grade? Please enlighten me. And which course will help them in AP Calc AB?

NP. I hate to say it, but my guess is the Geometry H and Alg2H were dumbed down a bit. Those classes should be rigorous and they should not be easy As. At our school Alg2H is a weed out class. My kid felt grateful to get a B. Very few students get As. The kids on that track are used to grinding it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you need a tutor to do well in an AP course, you should not be taking an AP course. Have your kid switch out of the AP version and into honors or regular. Make the jump to AP next year with another year of maturity and math foundation under their belt.

That's a dumb take. Kids have tutors in college and graduate. I have a B.S. and Masters in Engineering (EE and also minored in math). I used peer tutoring and had a private tutor sometimes in college. I'm now a successful engineer. And probably, much to your horror, I also used the writing center sometimes.

Kids needing a tutor is not an indication they don't belong in a class. Maybe they need more repitition than the class allows, maybe the teacher sucks, maybe the teacher has a heavy accent, maybe the teacher is great but they need to see the course from different angles/approaches.

They have a point. If a kid needs a tutor just to stay afloat in a college-level class as a high schooler, then it is reasonable to say the kid is not ready to handle college-level material. Of course there can be exceptions and other circumstances like terrible teachers, but it is indeed a red flag that they've been accelerated by their parents' will and not by their own motivation and capacity.

Peer tutoring in real college is fine because college students take age-appropriate classes where they've proven through a math placement exam and prerequisites that they are in the appropriate class.

If a kid took Algebra 1 HN in 7th, Geometry HN in 8th, Algebra 2 HN in 9th and scored over 97% in each class and the school does not have Honors Precalc but only regular and AP, what do you think they should take in 10th grade? Please enlighten me. And which course will help them in AP Calc AB?

NP. I hate to say it, but my guess is the Geometry H and Alg2H were dumbed down a bit. Those classes should be rigorous and they should not be easy As. At our school Alg2H is a weed out class. My kid felt grateful to get a B. Very few students get As. The kids on that track are used to grinding it out.

You sound dumb. No wonder your kid got a B in Alg 2 HN.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you need a tutor to do well in an AP course, you should not be taking an AP course. Have your kid switch out of the AP version and into honors or regular. Make the jump to AP next year with another year of maturity and math foundation under their belt.

That's a dumb take. Kids have tutors in college and graduate. I have a B.S. and Masters in Engineering (EE and also minored in math). I used peer tutoring and had a private tutor sometimes in college. I'm now a successful engineer. And probably, much to your horror, I also used the writing center sometimes.

Kids needing a tutor is not an indication they don't belong in a class. Maybe they need more repitition than the class allows, maybe the teacher sucks, maybe the teacher has a heavy accent, maybe the teacher is great but they need to see the course from different angles/approaches.

They have a point. If a kid needs a tutor just to stay afloat in a college-level class as a high schooler, then it is reasonable to say the kid is not ready to handle college-level material. Of course there can be exceptions and other circumstances like terrible teachers, but it is indeed a red flag that they've been accelerated by their parents' will and not by their own motivation and capacity.

Peer tutoring in real college is fine because college students take age-appropriate classes where they've proven through a math placement exam and prerequisites that they are in the appropriate class.

If a kid took Algebra 1 HN in 7th, Geometry HN in 8th, Algebra 2 HN in 9th and scored over 97% in each class and the school does not have Honors Precalc but only regular and AP, what do you think they should take in 10th grade? Please enlighten me. And which course will help them in AP Calc AB?

NP. I hate to say it, but my guess is the Geometry H and Alg2H were dumbed down a bit. Those classes should be rigorous and they should not be easy As. At our school Alg2H is a weed out class. My kid felt grateful to get a B. Very few students get As. The kids on that track are used to grinding it out.

That's the case at many schools.

Maybe now you understand what OP and others are complaining about?