No Calc?

[smh1181]

I have not taken calculus and I plan to take the PCAT in October. I will be taking precalc for the fall semester come August. However, I have been trying to at least teach myself the basics of Calculus thru books like Calc for the Clueless, Schaums and Cliffs and I have no idea what is going on. I do understand limits though. But I am trying to teach myself about derivatives etc. and am completely confused.

Do you think I could take the PCAT and do well in October while taking precalc and not calc?
Does anyone have any suggestions about what is the easiest way to try and teach myself Calc?

I found these 2 websites and find that watching the tutorial is somewhat helpful, but not much. Any suggestions? Could I get a tutor to teach me the basics? Does anyone know of any other good website with videos to teach calculus?

http://www.calculus-help.com/funstuff/phobe.html

http://www.sosmath.com/calculus/calculus.html

Thank you.

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[charfdorn]

I have not taken calculus and I plan to take the PCAT in October. I will be taking precalc for the fall semester come August. However, I have been trying to at least teach myself the basics of Calculus thru books like Calc for the Clueless, Schaums and Cliffs and I have no idea what is going on. I do understand limits though. But I am trying to teach myself about derivatives etc. and am completely confused.

Do you think I could take the PCAT and do well in October while taking precalc and not calc?
Does anyone have any suggestions about what is the easiest way to try and teach myself Calc?

I found these 2 websites and find that watching the tutorial is somewhat helpful, but not much. Any suggestions? Could I get a tutor to teach me the basics? Does anyone know of any other good website with videos to teach calculus?

http://www.calculus-help.com/funstuff/phobe.html

http://www.sosmath.com/calculus/calculus.html

Thank you.

The calc on the PCAT is very straightforward and simple, and does not comprise a major portion of the quantitative analysis score. You will probably do just fine with a little self-taught introduction to the material. I would get my hands on a calc textbook and a PCAT review book and work from that. Of all the so-called "required" PCAT classes, Calc is probably the easiest to "fake." O Chem or Anatomy, on the other hand, seriously affect your chances.

Worst case scenario is that you take it without enough calc and get a low math score, which brings down your comprehensive enough that you don't get in to school and have to apply next year, which is what would have happened if you had waited to take calc before attempting the PCAT. Only this way you'll be a reapplicant, which a lot of schools favor when reviewing your app (shows that you won't give up easily).