AB and BC Calculus differences

I'm currently deciding between taking Calculus AB and BC for senior year, but I'm a little confused about the difference between the two. Can anyone clarify the main differences in terms of content and difficulty? Which one would be better for someone aiming for a STEM major in college?

The main difference between AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC is the range of topics covered and the pace at which they are taught. Both courses cover the basics of calculus, including limits, differentiation, and integration, but Calculus BC goes deeper into these topics and covers additional content, such as sequences and series, as well as parametric, polar, and vector functions.

AP Calculus AB is equivalent to one semester of college-level calculus (typically referred to as Calculus I). On the other hand, AP Calculus BC is equivalent to two semesters of college-level calculus (typically Calculus I and Calculus II). Because of the additional content, Calculus BC is generally considered more challenging and fast-paced than Calculus AB. Students in BC will need to cover more material in the same amount of time, which could be more demanding in terms of workload and keeping up with the course.

For students planning to pursue a STEM major in college, it's usually recommended to take AP Calculus BC, as the additional content will give you a stronger foundation in calculus and better prepare you for more advanced math courses in college. However, your decision should also depend on how comfortable you are with your current math skills and your ability to handle the faster pace and greater workload of BC. If you have a solid understanding of pre-calculus and trigonometry, you'll be more prepared for the challenges of Calculus BC. If you're unsure about your preparedness or have struggled with math in the past, it might be more beneficial to start with Calculus AB to build a strong foundation before moving on to more advanced topics.

In summary, if you are aiming for a STEM major and feel confident in your math skills, AP Calculus BC is the better choice, as it will provide a more comprehensive overview of calculus and better preparation for college-level math courses. However, if you are less certain about your math abilities, starting with AP Calculus AB is still a great option and will provide a solid foundation in calculus.