AP Calculus AB vs. AP Calculus BC: Which One is Right for You?

If you're a high school student who has been pushing yourself to excel in math, you may find yourself at a crucial crossroads: AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC? This decision isn’t just about choosing a class—it’s about shaping your academic future. If you’re even reading this article, chances are you’ve been accelerating through your school’s math curriculum, potentially being 1, 2, or even 3 years ahead of the standard pace. But with great acceleration comes great responsibility.

That said, you should be strategic and thoughtful about this next step, as your choice can have a significant impact on your overall academic trajectory. Picking the right calculus course isn’t just about taking the most advanced option available—it’s about ensuring you have the right foundation to succeed.

The Rising Popularity of Calculus

In recent years, calculus has become an increasingly popular course among high school students, often seen as a necessity for college admissions, even for those who may not need it for their intended career path. Many students enroll in AP Calculus under the assumption that it will provide them with a competitive edge in the admissions process. However, some educators argue that this trend has led to unnecessary stress and a neglect of other valuable math courses, such as statistics. According to an article from The Hechinger Report (source), many students take calculus without truly understanding its real-world applications, while other essential mathematical skills remain underdeveloped. That's why I'm here with this article. Our goal is to make sure you're ready to succeed in college!

o. Prerequisite Coursework

Before taking AP Calculus, students typically complete the following courses:

• Algebra 1 & 2: These build a foundation in equations, functions, and polynomials. These courses are typically taken in 9th and 11th grade, but accelerated students often complete them in 7th and 9th grade. Some even finish before high school.

• Geometry: Important for understanding spatial reasoning and trigonometry. While this course is normally taken in 10th grade, many ambitious students take it over the summer before high school to fast-track their math progression.

• Precalculus: Covers key concepts like trigonometric functions, limits, and introductory derivatives, which are essential for calculus.

  
  

The first question you need to ask yourself is whether you truly excelled in these topics. Here’s an important note: excelling is not the same as simply getting an A. Take a deep, honest look at your math skills. 

• Did you fully grasp the material, or were you just memorizing formulas to get through exams? 

• Were you comfortable tackling tricky, conceptual problems, or did you struggle with multi-step word problems? 

• Did your teacher challenge you on your assessments or did all your assignments feel like simple calculations with multiple opportunities for test corrections and credit recovery?

  
  

1. What’s the Difference?

The main difference between AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC is the amount of material covered.

• AP Calculus AB is essentially a first-semester college calculus course. It focuses on limits, derivatives, integrals, and their applications.

• AP Calculus BC covers everything in AB plus additional topics like parametric equations, polar coordinates, vector functions, and more advanced integration techniques. It’s equivalent to a full year of college calculus.

  
  

If you’re aiming for a STEM major (engineering, physics, computer science, etc.), AP Calculus BC is often preferred by admissions officers because it makes you appear ready to tackle higher-level math. However, that doesn’t mean you must take it! If math isn’t your strongest subject or if you want a more gradual introduction to calculus, AB might be the better choice. There is nothing wrong with taking it slow. The last thing you want to is to challenge yourself while trying to balance the rest of your complicated coursework. Let’s be honest, if you’re questioning your choice in math class, chances are you’re also planning to take some other difficult AP courses.

2. Should I Skip Calculus AB?

Some students wonder whether they should jump straight to AP Calculus BC without taking AB.

If you have a strong foundation in precalculus, especially in trigonometry and algebra, skipping AB may be doable.

What does a strong foundation mean? That means you took Honors Precalculus or AP Precalculus and excelled. That means you likely got a 5 on the AP Precalculus exam. That means you fully understand complex topics like graphing polar coordinates and DeMoivre’s theorem. It means you can crunch factorials in your sleep.

If your school allows you to skip and you are adamant about skipping, I highly recommend you consider reviewing AB topics over the summer before taking BC to ease the transition. Whereas the progression from Algebra to Precalculus all deals with the same types of work and concepts, calculus is a brave new world! The way you need to think is completely different from what you’ve done before, so jumping into the class on your first day of school without any previous exposure would not be advisable. 

3. How Some Schools Prevent Students From Skipping

Many schools require students to take AB before BC. Some reasons why:

• Schools may want to ensure students build a strong foundation before tackling BC’s more difficult concepts.

• Many colleges require 4 years of math as a prerequisite, and having students zoom through calculus would mean they would run out of math options within the school.

• Some districts have “healthy limit” policies in place to maintain a structured math progression. They want to avoid students taking too many challenging classes at once.

  
  

If your school doesn’t allow skipping, you may still be able to take BC by showing relevant AB experience over the summer and discussing placement options with your counselor. What have some of our students done in the past for this relevant experience?

• Accredited coursework through an online provider

• Community college coursework

• Taking a challenge test or placement test to show mastery of the material

  
  

4. What Are the Hardest Parts of Each Class?

Both AP Calculus AB and BC have challenging topics, but the difficulties differ.

• Hardest Parts of AP Calculus AB:

  • Understanding limits conceptually

  • Mastering the chain rule in differentiation

  • Applying integrals to real-world problems

• Hardest Parts of AP Calculus BC:

  • Series and convergence tests (especially Taylor and Maclaurin series)

  • Advanced integration techniques (like partial fraction decomposition)

  • Parametric and polar equations

    
    

Final Thoughts

Choosing between AP Calculus AB and BC depends on your comfort with math, your future plans, and your school's policies. If you’re ready for a challenge and your school allows it, BC is a great option. If you prefer a slower introduction, AB is still a strong choice that lays a solid foundation.

Still unsure? Talk to your math teacher or counselor for personalized advice!