Do You Need to Take Calculus Before AP Physics C? A Parent & Student Guide

AP Physics C is one of the most challenging high school science courses, designed for students serious about STEM fields like engineering and physics. But many students (and parents) wonder: Do you need to complete calculus before taking AP Physics C, or can you take it concurrently?

The short answer? You don’t have to complete calculus beforehand, but you should be comfortable with basic differentiation and integration. Many students successfully take AP Physics C while learning calculus at the same time—as long as they’re willing to put in extra effort.

Let’s break down what you actually need to know, why calculus is important in AP Physics C, and how to prepare if you’re taking both courses together.

Why Does AP Physics C Require Calculus?

Unlike AP Physics 1 and 2, which rely only on algebra and trigonometry, AP Physics C is calculus-based. That means key physics concepts—like motion, forces, and energy—are explained and solved using derivatives and integrals.

But here’s the good news: AP Physics C doesn’t require deep, complex calculus knowledge. You won’t be doing long, multi-step calculus proofs. Instead, the course mainly uses basic differentiation and integration to describe how physical systems change over time.

Here are some examples of how calculus is used in AP Physics C: Derivatives – Used to find velocity from position or acceleration from velocity. Integrals – Used to determine displacement from velocity or work from force.

In other words, you don’t need to be a calculus expert—you just need to understand the basics. Fortunately,

Can You Take AP Physics C Without Having Completed Calculus?

Yes! Many students take AP Physics C while taking their first calculus course (AP Calculus AB or BC) at the same time. This works well as long as they are willing to put in some extra effort to learn calculus concepts as they come up in physics.

However, there are a few key things to consider:

1. How Comfortable Are You with Math? If you’re confident in algebra and trigonometry and have a strong problem-solving mindset, you’ll likely be fine learning calculus alongside physics. Good candidates for concurrent AP Physics C & Calculus: Students who are strong in algebra and trigonometry. Students who enjoy math-heavy subjects and problem-solving. Students willing to do some self-study in calculus to keep up. Might struggle with concurrent AP Physics C & Calculus: Students who struggle with multi-step math problems. Students who find algebra or trigonometry challenging. Students who have difficulty learning new math concepts quickly.

2. What’s Your Work Ethic? Taking AP Physics C without a calculus background means you’ll need to learn some math concepts on your own before they’re covered in class. Here’s what helps: Watching online tutorials on derivatives and integrals before the school year starts. Practicing simple differentiation and integration problems early. Asking your calculus teacher or tutor for extra help on physics-related topics.

If you’re willing to do a little extra work upfront, you’ll be in great shape. In fact, advanced physics tutoring for students preparing for AP Physics C can help ensure that students understand the core calculus concepts before tackling the course’s tougher topics.

3. Will Your Teacher Support Concurrent Calculus? Some schools strongly recommend completing calculus before AP Physics C, while others encourage concurrent enrollment. Check with your teacher and school policy: Some teachers expect students to already be proficient in calculus. Others are willing to give a quick review of necessary calculus concepts in physics class. Some schools require pre-approval to take both at the same time.

If your teacher supports it and offers help along the way, taking both courses together is much easier.

How to Prepare If You’re Taking AP Physics C & Calculus at the Same Time

If you’re planning to take AP Physics C without having completed calculus, here’s how to get ahead:

1. Learn Basic Differentiation and Integration Early You don’t need to master calculus, but you should know how to take simple derivatives and integrals. With the right preparation, advanced physics tutoring for students preparing for AP Physics C can make it easy to catch up on these essential concepts.

At minimum, learn these: The derivative of basic functions like x², sin(x), and e^x. The integral of simple functions like x² and sin(x). How to interpret derivatives (rate of change) and integrals (area under a curve). Resources to help: Khan Academy’s Calculus 1 videos. MIT OpenCourseWare’s Introduction to Calculus lectures. AP Calculus AB prep books (for quick reference).

2. Practice Physics Problems with Calculus Instead of waiting for class, try working through basic physics problems that use derivatives and integrals. For example: Velocity from position: If x(t) = 5t², find v(t) by taking the derivative. Work from force: If F(x) = 3x, find the work done from x = 1 to x = 4 by taking the integral.

Even a few practice problems before the school year starts can make a big difference. If you want to ensure your child is ready, advanced physics tutoring for students preparing for AP Physics C can give them the tools to practice and succeed.

3. Use Your Calculus Class to Strengthen Physics Taking calculus and physics at the same time means you’ll see concepts overlap—which is actually a good thing! Pay attention to real-world applications in calculus. When your calculus teacher talks about rates of change, think about velocity and acceleration. Ask your physics teacher for extra calculus help. Many physics teachers are happy to review calculus concepts that apply directly to class. Use physics to reinforce calculus. Seeing calculus in action (instead of just solving abstract math problems) actually helps it make more sense!

Final Answer: Can You Take AP Physics C Without Prior Calculus?

Yes, but you should be comfortable with basic derivatives and integrals before the class starts. 💡 Best advice: If you’re taking AP Physics C and calculus at the same time, do a little self-study over the summer to learn the fundamentals of differentiation and integration. Advanced physics tutoring for students preparing for AP Physics C is a great option to help fill in the gaps.

You’ll do well if you: Are strong in algebra and trigonometry. Are willing to do a little extra preparation before class starts. Have a good work ethic and don’t mind learning math concepts quickly.

You might struggle if you: Have difficulty with algebra and multi-step problem-solving. Expect to get by without learning any calculus in advance. Aren’t willing to seek help or do some self-study.

If you or your child are still unsure, a tutor can help bridge the gap by reviewing key calculus concepts before the school year starts.

If you’re reading this or have this question, your child is likely the kind of student who can pull this off. Students who don’t ask these questions may not be in the headspace to take on both subjects concurrently, but for those who are asking, they’re already showing the initiative and mindset needed to succeed in AP Physics C.