Congratulations on your decision to take AP Calculus. During the next nine months, you will be investing a great amount of time, energy, passion, sweat, and perhaps even a little blood (paper cuts?) learning profound mathematical concepts and skills...topics that your mathematical forefathers would have killed to know.
Why am I in this class?
Whether you signed up for this class because you want to actually learn calculus and prepare for life at the next academic level, or you're just doing it to get the weighted points for class ranking purposes, or you just wanted a crazy math teacher...you need to understand what research has found. Widespread research confirms that those students who take AP Calculus do significantly better in college, with higher graduation rates, graduation in fewer years, earning better grades, and living overall more-productive and extraordinary lives (ok...I may have stretched it on the last one, but the others are true). The research indicates even better results for those who actually take and pass the exam.
Do I have to take the AP Calculus exam?
If you stay in AP Calculus the entire year, then this question has the same answer as the following questions: If I tear all the ligaments in my knee, will I need surgery? Will I fail this course if I don't do any homework? Do I have to get my driver's license? Taking the exam is not a requrement, but it is an expectation, I expect you to take the BC exam this year. Even if you attend a University that does not accept AP credit, they will use your AP exam score for math placement.
Is the AP exam hard?
Absolutely not! Is is challenging, though, especially if you take it without the expectation of earning a five for yourself. Everything in life is difficult for those who are unwilling. Begin your study of AP Calculus with the genuine expectation that you can and will earn the top score. I can promise you that if you work hard in this course and give it the respect it deserves, you will be equipped with everything you will need to earn a FIVE!
Can I cram for the calculus test?
Can you cram for a piano recital? or a chess tournament? or a basketball free-throw shooting contest? Truthfully, you can cram for anything, but you probably won't get the resuls you hope for. You will have NO need to cram if you do everything I ask of you this year. By the time we get to the test, you will have been exposed to all concepts and types of questions multiple times. It's going to be FUN!!
Why am I in this class?
Whether you signed up for this class because you want to actually learn calculus and prepare for life at the next academic level, or you're just doing it to get the weighted points for class ranking purposes, or you just wanted a crazy math teacher...you need to understand what research has found. Widespread research confirms that those students who take AP Calculus do significantly better in college, with higher graduation rates, graduation in fewer years, earning better grades, and living overall more-productive and extraordinary lives (ok...I may have stretched it on the last one, but the others are true). The research indicates even better results for those who actually take and pass the exam.
Do I have to take the AP Calculus exam?
If you stay in AP Calculus the entire year, then this question has the same answer as the following questions: If I tear all the ligaments in my knee, will I need surgery? Will I fail this course if I don't do any homework? Do I have to get my driver's license? Taking the exam is not a requrement, but it is an expectation, I expect you to take the BC exam this year. Even if you attend a University that does not accept AP credit, they will use your AP exam score for math placement.
Is the AP exam hard?
Absolutely not! Is is challenging, though, especially if you take it without the expectation of earning a five for yourself. Everything in life is difficult for those who are unwilling. Begin your study of AP Calculus with the genuine expectation that you can and will earn the top score. I can promise you that if you work hard in this course and give it the respect it deserves, you will be equipped with everything you will need to earn a FIVE!
Can I cram for the calculus test?
Can you cram for a piano recital? or a chess tournament? or a basketball free-throw shooting contest? Truthfully, you can cram for anything, but you probably won't get the resuls you hope for. You will have NO need to cram if you do everything I ask of you this year. By the time we get to the test, you will have been exposed to all concepts and types of questions multiple times. It's going to be FUN!!