Is College Calculus Harder Than AP Calc AB? (2024)

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Related to Is College Calculus Harder Than AP Calc AB? 1. What is the difference between college calculus and AP Calc AB? 2. Which course is more rigorous, college calculus or AP Calc AB? 3. Can I take both college calculus and AP Calc AB? 4. Will I receive college credit for taking AP Calc AB? 5. Is AP Calc AB a good preparation for college calculus? Similar threads FAQs
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In summary, the conversation discusses the differences between Calculus in high school and college, with some participants stating that AP Calculus may be more challenging than a community college version. The conversation also mentions that college courses can be more difficult due to the competing workload. It is also noted that taking AP Calculus in high school can be beneficial because it introduces students to the material and makes it more familiar in college. Overall, the participants have varying experiences with Calculus, with some finding it easier in high school and others finding it more difficult in college.

  • #1

fifaking7

12
0

Hi guys,
I'm deciding a career in the biological sciences but will need calculus 1 and II. knowing that many of you are probably in college or in your fields, I want to know how similar Calc 1 and college calc are. I'm really bad at Calc this year, currently with a B- and want to know how much harder was calc 1 for you?

  • #2

Klungo

136
1

It really depends on the college. I believe AP calculus is "tougher" than the community college version. On the other hand, a 4 year university version tends to be more tougher than the others.

My observation is based on a sample of 1 CC, 2 APs and 1 Univ calc 1 courses.

  • #4

mege

I think studying for the AP Calc AB test in high school was very easy because it was my only 'real' concern. Once you get to college, your studies start competing more. A typical first and second semester for a student in the sciences can be quite rigorous and require LOTS of work for every class.

For that reason I think Calc high school courses are easier than college courses (of any type). Put in a vacuum - I think there are a lot of variables to consider as to which is tougher. In college - you just have competing rigorous classes, which I think for most is the dominant factor for making some classes 'harder'.

  • #5

MarneMath

Education Advisor

550
198

I'll also like to add this. The real advantage to AP Calculus in high school is that you can absolutely fail that exam and still pass the test. It's really stupid how that works, but it is what it is.

Of course it will help you if you took calc in high school because taking it in college. You've already been exposed to the problems and know the ideas that will be used. As a biology major (or focus or whatever) you won't have the horror of taking a proof based calc course, but rather just a tedious one. It will all seem very familiar to you.

  • #7

OMGCarlos

28
0

Math was the only subject I did well on when I first attending school. I took AP Calculus in high school and then again a few years later because I took a few years off. I earned A's both times, however, I felt it was more difficult in college (even though I was essentially relearning the material) simply because of what Mege said: it's no longer your only "real" concern.

Related to Is College Calculus Harder Than AP Calc AB?

1. What is the difference between college calculus and AP Calc AB?

College calculus is a course typically taken during the first or second year of college, while AP Calc AB is a high school course that can earn students college credit if they pass the AP exam. Both courses cover similar topics, but college calculus may go into more depth and cover additional material.

2. Which course is more rigorous, college calculus or AP Calc AB?

This can vary depending on the instructor and institution, but in general, college calculus is considered more rigorous. It is often a more fast-paced course with higher expectations for understanding and application of concepts.

3. Can I take both college calculus and AP Calc AB?

Yes, it is possible to take both courses. However, it is important to check with your school and make sure the courses do not overlap too much in terms of content. It may also be a heavy workload to take both courses at the same time.

4. Will I receive college credit for taking AP Calc AB?

If you pass the AP exam with a score of 3 or higher, most colleges and universities will grant you credit for the course. However, it is ultimately up to the individual institution to decide their credit policies for AP scores.

5. Is AP Calc AB a good preparation for college calculus?

Yes, AP Calc AB is designed to be a rigorous and comprehensive course that prepares students for college calculus. It covers many of the same topics and can help students develop the necessary skills and understanding for success in college calculus.

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                      Is College Calculus Harder Than AP Calc AB? (2024)

                      FAQs

                      How does AP Calc compare to college Calc? ›

                      AP Calc AB is equivalent to Calculus I in college, while AP Calc BC is equivalent to Calculus I and II. If you are taking AP courses to earn college credits, then enrolling in AP Calculus BC can offer up to a year's worth of college-level math credits.

                      Know More ›
                      Is AP calculus harder than calculus? ›

                      This course aligns with one year of college calculus, which encompasses two semesters. AP Calculus BC is considered more challenging because of its expanded set of topics and the accelerated pace.

                      Tell Me More ›
                      How difficult is college level calculus? ›

                      The Most Challenging Topic in Maths

                      A study published in the Journal of Mathematical Behavior reported that approximately 30-40% of students found calculus to be the most difficult topic in their mathematics curriculum.

                      Read On ›
                      Is calculus 1 equivalent to AP Calc AB? ›

                      An AP Calculus AB course is typically equivalent to one semester of college calculus.

                      Find Out More ›
                      Do colleges care if you take Calc AB or BC? ›

                      AP Calculus AB will still provide you with a strong foundation in calculus, and it will not weaken your college applications. Your overall academic performance and dedication to your studies matter more than the specific AP courses you take.

                      Read More ›
                      Do colleges like to see AP Calc? ›

                      Strong performance in high school calculus demonstrates readiness for college mathematics. This can make any college application more competitive, no matter the learner's intended course of study.

                      Read The Full Story ›
                      What is the failure rate for college calculus? ›

                      I have been amazed to discover that across the country it is typical that 25 or 30% of students who take their first calculus course in college fail. It seems to be a national expectation that a significant percentage of students will be lost—indeed, should be lost—from a STEM pathway after taking college calculus.

                      See More ›
                      How many people fail calculus in college? ›

                      At 21 of the CSU's 23 campuses, at least 20% of students on average in Calculus 1 received D or F grades or withdrew over the past three years, according to an EdSource analysis of data from the schools.

                      Get More Info Here ›
                      What is the average grade for college calculus? ›

                      The average grade across the entire study was 80.7%, a low B–. We see that less than an A on any high school math course and less than 600 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT suggests a grade of C or less, on average, in college Calculus I.

                      Discover More Details ›
                      Can I skip AP Calc AB? ›

                      If you're a good math student, like a challenge, and know that you will need both Calculus I and II for your major, skipping Calculus AB and taking BC might be your best bet.

                      Discover More Details ›

                      Is AP Calc AB easier than pre Calc? ›

                      Pre-calc is difficult and takes time to adjust to. AB Calc will have tricky parts but if you look ahead at the material before you get there it will be much easier. The best thing you can do if you are worried is learn what a derivative is and its applications now -- this will also help you in physics.

                      Learn More ›
                      Is Calc AB an easy AP? ›

                      The mean score for AP Calculus AB is consistently higher than the mean score for all subjects. This indicates that AP Calculus is among the most difficult AP Courses. However, despite its difficulty, the exam is very popular, with over 251,639 and 268,352 students taking it in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

                      Discover More Details ›
                      What is the college equivalent of AP Calc? ›

                      According to College Board, the AP Calculus AB course is approximately equivalent to the first semester of college calculus, while the AP Calculus BC course is approximately equivalent to the first two semesters of college calculus.

                      View More ›
                      Do colleges prefer AP Stats or AP Calc? ›

                      If you plan to study engineering, physics, or mathematics in college, taking AP Calculus will be more beneficial as it's a prerequisite for many college-level courses in these fields. If you're leaning towards social sciences, psychology, business, or data-focused fields, AP Statistics might be more applicable.

                      Get More Info Here ›
                      What is the difference between AP Calculus and regular calculus? ›

                      In high school calculus, the students learn all of a college level calculus 1 course and about two-thirds of a calculus 2 course. In AP calculus students learn closer to all of calculus 1 and all of calculus 2.

                      Read The Full Story ›
                      How many college credits is AP Calc worth? ›

                      Advanced Placement (AP)
                      College Board Advanced ​Placement TestsPassing ScoreMinimum Semester Credits Earned1
                      AP Calculus AB433
                      AP Calculus BC436
                      AP Calculu​s BC/ AB Subscore433
                      AP Chemistry36
                      53 more rows

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