Embedded Files
Bryan Passwater's Curriculum with Mr. Sindel's videos!
Class Information
Class Information
Units
Units
Questions and Answers
Questions and Answers
Q: What curriculum is this?
A: This is the curriculum created by Bryan Passwater - a College Board-endorsed consultant and AP Reader since 2013. The solution keys are created by Ted Gott. The video solutions are created by me (Mr. Sindel).
This curriculum is:
Explicitly aligned with the College Board’s Course Framework, covering all required topics with strategic pacing.
Built by a teacher who understands the types of questions most commonly asked on AP assessments.
Focused on maximizing student performance by avoiding off-framework content and emphasizing modeling, reasoning, and graphing in ways that mirror what is seen on the real test.
Q: I am a student at a different school and I would like to see your answer keys and video solutions. How can I get access?
A: I can give your teacher permission to have the files if you can get your teacher to email me. I would just need a photo of the teacher holding their school ID with an email from their account to give them file access.
I apologize for the inconvenience of the permissions. I wish I could just give everyone access to the answer keys and video solutions, but as Bryan Passwater has pointed out: there will be other teachers that use this curriculum that might not want students to have easy access to keys and video solutions as their students might abuse this (not do the work and only copy down answers for example). If you send me an email to asindel@esusd.org I can see what sort of resources I can send your way so that you can be successful in AP Precalculus.
Q: I am a teacher considering switching to AP Precalculus from a standard Precalculus or Precalculus honors class. Should I switch?
A: It really depends.
Use AP Precalculus as a bridge, not a bypass. It's best viewed as a way to prepare students for calculus and STEM careers, not as a means to earn college credit.
Why: College Board designed AP Precalculus to strengthen readiness for college-level STEM, not to replace a college math course. As of 2025, most colleges (including UC, CSU, and Ivy League schools) do not award credit for AP Precalculus, treating it instead as a rigorous preparatory course.
If your school already offers a strong Precalculus Honors class, AP Precalculus may provide additional structure, national alignment, and access to College Board support.
Why: AP courses include detailed frameworks, pacing guides, and free College Board resources (like AP Classroom). This provides consistency across schools and allows for national benchmarking.
For college-bound juniors, especially those not ready for AP Calculus, AP Precalculus offers a valuable stepping stone with long-term benefits — even without immediate credit.
Why: Students who complete Precalculus in high school (especially with modeling and functions emphasis) have higher success rates in college Calculus I, even if they repeat similar material. This is backed by large-scale research (e.g., Sonnert & Sadler, 2014) that showed precalculus as the strongest predictor of college calculus performance.
AP Precalculus is especially valuable in rural, Title I, or first-gen college settings, where a nationally recognized math credential boosts student confidence and visibility.
Why: AP Precalculus helps expand access to advanced math for students underrepresented in STEM. According to the College Board, the course was launched partly to address equity gaps, giving more students an “on-ramp” to rigorous math before graduation. Even if credit isn't awarded, the AP label and participation can signal ambition to admissions officers.
You should look at the pros and cons below:
Pros of Offering AP Precalculus
Pros of Offering AP Precalculus
Stronger curriculum rigor on transcripts
AP designation signals college-level expectations to admissions officers.
Many colleges emphasize course rigor as one of the top 2 admissions factors.
Improved college readiness
AP Precalculus is designed to help students succeed in college STEM majors, especially those that start with calculus.
Studies (e.g., Sonnert & Sadler, 2014) show that students who take precalculus or calculus in high school perform better in college math, even if they repeat similar content.
Course structure and support
Teachers gain access to College Board resources and frameworks.
National assessments allow for benchmarking and tracking progress across schools.
Equity and access
Brings AP-level coursework to students who might not reach AP Calculus, especially in underrepresented populations.
Offers a pathway for students planning to enter STEM or business majors who are not yet calculus-ready.
College admissions advantage
AP courses typically increase weighted GPA (important for UC/CSU recalculations).
Demonstrates willingness to take on rigorous academic challenges.
Even without college credit, a 4 or 5 score can strengthen a student’s application to selective universities (if self-reported).
Cons of Offering AP Precalculus
Cons of Offering AP Precalculus
Limited college credit acceptance (as of 2025)
Most highly selective colleges (Ivies, UC, etc.) do not award credit for AP Precalculus.
Only a small number of public universities (e.g., Univ. of Oregon, Univ. of North Georgia) offer credit for scores of 4 or 5.
UC and CSU systems: no college credit awarded for AP Precalculus; the exam is not considered college-level.
Potential student stress
AP exam expectations (timed, high-stakes format) may be stressful for students who are just being introduced to advanced functions and modeling.
If students don't score well, they may feel demoralized despite mastering difficult content.
Misunderstood value
Some colleges and counselors view AP Precalculus as less valuable than AP Calculus or AP Stats, especially if it doesn't lead to credit.
Online critics argue that AP Precalculus is a "money grab" if few colleges give credit — this perception can affect buy-in.
AP exam performance vs learning
The 2023 pilot exam had a 75% pass rate (score of 3+), which led to the perception that the exam is “too easy” — but this masks wide variation in student preparation and may undervalue strong teaching efforts.
Q: What 4-year universities ARE giving college level credit for AP Precalculus?
A: As of 2025:
UC system (e.g., UCLA)
No credit; not considered college-level
CSU system (e.g., CSU Long Beach)
No credit; does not fulfill GE math
Ivy League (e.g., Harvard, Princeton)
No credit; may be used for placement only
Public Flagship (e.g., UT Austin)
Sometimes credit with score of 4–5; varies
University of Oregon
Yes, 4–8 quarter units for score of 4 or 5
Univ. of North Georgia
Yes, with 4+ earns credit for MATH 1113 (Precalc)
Community Colleges
Rarely credit for Precalc, but some allow elective or placement use
Report abuse