Calculus BC vs. AB - Which is Tougher?

So I'm thinking about taking either AP Calc BC or AB, and I want to know just how much more difficult BC could be compared to AB? Any thoughts on this will be really helpful.

Actually, the level of difficulty between AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC can vary greatly depending on individual skills, comfort with mathematical concepts, and the quality of instruction received.

AP Calculus AB covers first semester college-level calculus, or roughly the equivalent of Calculus I. Topics include limits, differential and integral calculus, and their applications. Many students choose to take this course to establish a good foundation before moving onto more complex calculus courses.

AP Calculus BC, on the other hand, covers both Calculus I and Calculus II topics within one school year. This means that you'll be learning the material from Calculus AB as well as additional concepts such as sequences and series, polar and parametric equations, and different methods for integrating and differentiating functions.

Now, does being more advanced make AP Calculus BC more difficult? Not necessarily. If you are very skilled at mathematics and grasp new concepts quickly, you may find the extra depth and range of subjects in BC more stimulating and not necessarily more difficult. However, if you typically need a little more time to absorb new mathematic concepts, AB may be the better choice to give you that room to grow.

It's also important to remember that AP courses at different schools (or even within the same school, taught by different teachers) can vary greatly in terms of difficulty. A challenging teacher might make AP Calculus AB seem much more difficult than AP Calculus BC taught by a less challenging teacher.

In conclusion, whether BC is "harder" than AB really depends on your aptitude for and comfort with mathematics, the quality of instruction, and the speed at which you're comfortable learning new material. Be sure to think critically about your strengths and which route would be most beneficial for you before making a decision.