<p>How hard is the 5.11 ASE? Is it true that hardly any incoming freshmen pass it each year? Will an understanding of the 5.111 textbook guarantee a pass? Thanks=)</p>
<p>I'd like to know this too. How much more difficult is it to get a pass on the 5.11 exam versus, say, a 5 on the AP chem exam?</p>
<p>it's not hard per se (like the IMO or anything), it's just about different stuff than the AP Chem. Therefore, getting a 5 on the AP Chem doesn't help you by itself (except for basic chemistry concepts which you should really know well). If you're intent on passing it, you can get the book they recommend (which is cheap, like $7 on Amazon) and go over the topics that you haven't seen before, and you'll probably have a good chance at passing.</p>
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Is it true that hardly any incoming freshmen pass it each year?
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<p>Yup. I think ~10 passed last year or the year before, and it was the most in recent years. Usually about 5 people pass, I've heard.</p>
<p>5 out of how many people who usually take the exam?</p>
<p><em>possibly highly inaccurate number based on a brief search of The Tech's archives for stories about the chemistry ASE</em></p>
<p>Looks like about 125.</p>
<p>Hrm. That's not very encouraging, but thanks! It seems harder than the actual class... man...</p>
<p>I think that's supposed to be the point. </p>
<p>You'll find that some departments at MIT are very laid-back, and some are very rigid and bureaucratic and irritating. One guess as to which type I personally believe the chem department is...</p>
<p>Ugh... what about other depts like 10 and 7? Are they like that too? And are the other ASEs like 8.02 much easier than 5.111? Thanks=)</p>
<p>I don't know too much about 10, but people seem to be happy there, so I'll assume they're not on the evil end of my dichotomy.</p>
<p>Course 7 is a little more regulated and rule-dependent than my other department (9), but generally not to the point of bureaucracy -- the administrators are very helpful and personable.</p>
<p>Certainly more people pass the 8.02 etc ASEs. In 2003, 59% of 80 freshmen passed the 8.01 ASE, and 70% of 44 freshmen passed the 8.02 ASE.</p>
<p>the textbook questions they recommend on the 5.111 ase doesn't mirror at all what the 5.111 course exams cover. I'm pretty skeptical about the book...seems like the chem department wants you to fail</p>