Low number of kids passing BC Calc

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SUMMARY

The discussion highlights the surprising low number of students at Purdue University who have passed out of two semesters of calculus, particularly BC Calculus. The original poster, a freshman engineering student, notes that their high school had a strong math program, with 40 students taking BC Calculus and only 4 not achieving a score of 5 on the AP exam. In contrast, many students at Purdue have not taken BC Calculus, indicating a disparity in academic preparation. This suggests that high school resources and curriculum rigor significantly impact college readiness in mathematics.

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  • Understanding of AP Calculus BC curriculum
  • Familiarity with college-level calculus concepts
  • Knowledge of high school academic programs, including IB and AP
  • Awareness of the differences in educational resources across schools
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the AP Calculus BC exam structure and scoring
  • Explore the differences between IB and AP math programs
  • Investigate the impact of high school math curriculum on college readiness
  • Learn about resources available for students transitioning to college-level calculus
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High school educators, college admissions counselors, and students preparing for AP Calculus exams will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in understanding the implications of high school math programs on college performance.

al2six
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this is kind of off topic... but anyway, I'm a freshman in engineering at purdue and i was really suprised by the low number of kids who passed out of 2 semesters of calc like i did. in my high school of about 1000, we had about 40 kids in BC calc. Only 4 didn't get a 5 on the ap exam. is my school something unusual? i never thought it was until i got to purdue and barely anyone had even taken bc calc.
 
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My high school had the IB program and we were only able to take the AB exam. I took the college equivalent to first quarter calculus my junior year of high school but we did other stuff senior, like 3-d geometry and other crap that was basically useless.

I know of no high schools around here that offer anything past AB calculus. Everyone takes classes at the local CC.
 


It is definitely unusual for such a high percentage of students to receive a 5 on the AP exam in BC Calc. Your high school seems to have a strong math program and a high level of academic achievement. However, it is important to remember that every school and student population is different. Some schools may not have as many students taking BC Calc or may have different resources and support for their students. It is also possible that the rigor and expectations of college-level courses at Purdue may have played a role in the lower number of students who have taken BC Calc. Overall, it is great that you were able to excel in BC Calc and it is a testament to your hard work and preparation. Keep up the good work!
 

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