Do colleges care if you take Precalc?

For students who aren't planning to go into STEM, some colleges have indicated that they will give credit for AP Precalculus to fill a general math requirement, something that might usually be filled by a class like College Algebra, in a liberal arts program.

Do colleges look for pre-calc?

It all depends on the school and what you are majoring in. Some schools require pre-calculus or calculus to apply to some majors. I know as a future engineering major, I need to take calculus before I graduate high school.

Is taking pre-calc in college bad?

It found that students with weaker high school preparation had a slight but not statistically significant benefit from Precalculus (again, if they took Calculus), but better-prepared students scored six points lower in Calculus if they began the sequence in Precalculus (Sonnert & Sadler, 2014).

Is it OK to skip precalculus?

If you have a strong understanding of algebra and you're willing to put in extra time to bridge any gaps, then you might be able to handle the jump. However, if your school offers an honors precalculus or similar accelerated course, that might be a better stepping stone to ensure you're fully prepared for calculus.

Do I need to take precalculus in college if I took it in high school?

More typically, high school Precalculus signals readiness for a college Calculus—though often, it doesn't even do that: It's not uncommon for students who take Precalculus in high school to repeat the course when they get to college.

The 7 Levels of Math

Can I skip pre-calc and go to AP Calc?

If you take AP Calc AB without Pre-calc as a foundational course, you might get clobbered and struggle and get a B or C and do poorly on the AP exam.

Is it OK if I don't take calculus in high school?

Calculus is not part of any state's high school math standards. Few colleges explicitly require calculus for admission. Even so, for busy admissions officers trying to narrow down a stack of applications, calculus is an easy benchmark to look for.

Why is precalculus so hard?

Precalculus bridges the gap between Algebra II and Calculus, introducing you to new topics like trigonometry and exponential functions, which can seem overwhelming at first. Adjusting to the different problem-solving approaches required in Precalculus can take some time, so don't be too hard on yourself.

Is it better to skip algebra 2 or pre calc?

Skip Algebra 2. A student who has a strong performance in Geometry could skip Algebra 2 and proceed to Precalculus. Precalculus is a combination of algebra and trigonometry. The algebra portion of Precalculus is similar to Algebra 2, however, the pace is faster.

Is a B in college calc bad?

To be honest, it is not that bad. Many students find calculus hard with so many formulae to learn and to be able to apply. If you want the opinion of a math lecturer, I would tell you to be happy with your results as long as you gave it your best.

What is the hardest math?

What happens if I fail pre calc in high school?

If you fail precalculus, you may need to retake the course to fulfill your graduation requirements or to meet the prerequisites for other math courses. It's also an opportunity to seek extra help, such as tutoring or additional study resources, to strengthen your understanding of the material.

What majors need pre-calc?

Science, Cybersecurity and Engineering Majors

All students majoring in applied mathematics, applied sciences, computer science, cybersecurity and engineering programs at Wentworth are required to complete Pre- Calculus prior to enrollment in the fall.

Should I take college math or pre-calc?

If you are interested in learning the basic mathematical techniques for a non-STEM pathway in the future (e.g. business, accounting, humanities, etc.), we recommend taking College Algebra. If you are interested in pursuing Calculus or another STEM field in the future, we recommend taking Precalculus.

Do colleges care if you take Calc AB or BC?

Most colleges will not give you credit for both Calculus AB and Calculus BC, so taking both courses would be pointless. However, some unique circumstances would make this a smart choice. If you're at a school that requires you to take AB as a prerequisite to BC, then this will be your option.

Is Precalc harder than trigonometry?

Trigonometry is the course for students who completed Algebra 2, but are not quite ready for the rigors of pre-calc.

Is algebra or pre-calc easier?

Precalculus is a more advanced course than College Algebra. The prerequisite for Precalculus is a grade of C or better in College Algebra or the equivalent. By the equivalent, we mean a grade of B or better in one of the high school courses listed in (1) above.

Can I skip trigonometry for calculus?

In some sense, the prerequisite for Calculus is to have an overall comfort with algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. After all, each new topic in math builds on previous topics, which is why mastery at each stage is so important.

Which is harder trigonometry or calculus?

However, in general, calculus is often considered more challenging than trigonometry for several reasons: Conceptual Complexity: Calculus deals with concepts such as limits, derivatives, integrals, and infinite series, which can be abstract and require a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.

Do colleges require Calc?

Apart from a select number of STEM-focused institutions, like the California Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvey Mudd College, calculus is not a requirement for college.

Does Harvard require calculus?

Specifically, calculus is not a requirement for admission to Harvard. We understand that applicants do not have the same opportunities and course offerings in their high schools. Moreover, many programs of study at Harvard do not require knowledge of calculus.

Is it OK if I fail calculus?

Calculus is frequently the first college mathematics course a student takes, and so many students don't understand what level of performance they will be expected to achieve or how little time they will have for the course. Failure rates of 30%, or higher, are not unusual—though they are by no means desired.

Do most students fail calculus?

Students may have taken calculus in high school and have done well. So they might expect university-level calculus to be straightforward. However, a majority of the students find themselves struggling and every year many students fail.