Reply to AP Calculus AB or BC

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If all four units are taught in AP Precalc (per CB's curriculum), why is that not enough to be prepared for AP Calc BC?[/quote]
The former honors precalc/trig course went beyond the four units of AP Precalc; it also included limits and introductory calculus. Since BC has 50% more content than AB, you need to start introductory calculus in the latter half of precalc to position students to do well in BC. An earlier poster noted that their district follows this approach. AP Precalc (even with four units) does not do this. It just covers precalc content, no introductory calculus. The College Board says that AP Precalc is sufficient to prepare students for AB or BC. However, this claim flies in the face of the longstanding practice of starting introductory calculus in precalculus for BC-bound students. AP Precalc provides the barest minimum preparation for BC Calc; the former honors precalc/trig (which included introductory calculus) provided optimal preparation for BC.

Going from AP Precalc to BC will be tougher than it was going from the former honors precalc/trig. To compensate, you might want to find a summer offering that covers the part of honors precalc/trig that AP Precalc does not cover.[/quote]

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