Reply to AP Calculus AB or BC

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[quote=Anonymous]The naming of AP Precalc AB and AP Precalc BC is misleading and gives a false impression of course rigor. Precalc AB is similar to the content of regular Precalc/trig. Precalc BC is the old honors precalc/trig "lite". Why does this matter? Students who will take both Calc AB and Calc BC exams will have less preparation than before. In addition, students taking the new Calc AB path will be disadvantaged in AP Physics C relative to before. Why?

Students taking the new AB path (Precalc AB + Calc AB) will never see 2D vectors, whereas they would have covered them in the old precalc/trig honors. Students taking Precalc BC and Calc BC will see 2D vectors in both courses. 2D vectors are used in AP Physics C. Can students on the new AB pathway still take AP Physics C? Yes, but they will have to work harder on their own and may not do as well because they have to learn physics + math whereas kids on the BC path will only need to learn the physics.

Students that have an interest in STEM should consider taking Precalc BC even if they want to take Calc AB, in order to provide a better base for future STEM coursework. This is what would have happened under the old system - they would have taken honors precalc/trig, then Calc AB where the former would have provided them with early exposure to both calculus and the math needed for AP Physics C. If a student is thinking to take Precalc AB, Calc AB, and AP Physics C, they should ask their math/science teacher how 2D vectors will be covered.[/quote]

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