<p>I have a few questions about how Harvard deals with AP Credit. I've read about Advanced Standing, and I'm definitely not doing that. But will it still be possible to place out of classes with AP credit (not receive credit, but simply advance in the course series). If not, is there any other way to place out of classes (I've read about placing out of foreign language classes I believe, but not other ones)?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>There are some AP tests that you can use to satisfy prerequisites (but as you said, you can’t earn credit). Language tests (both AP and SAT II) definitely permit this. I think AP Chem lets you skip an intro chem course too.</p>
<p>intenex, in addition to chem, I think you can also place out of intro physics and bio by taking these subjects’ optional placement exams in June.</p>
<p>I’m an intended econ concentrator and I placed out of Ec 10 (Intro Econ) with 5’s on the AP Econs. I will still have to make up those credits, though. </p>
<p>AP scores can be useful for placement, but you don’t actually get any credit for them unless you do sophomore standing.</p>
<p>Hmm. Thanks. Would any of you recommend placing out? How did that go for you?</p>
<p>I, too, qualify for placing out of Ec 10 (Intro Econ) - but I’m not too sure I want to do that. When I took my AP Econ course here at my high school, I used Gregory Mankiw’s Principle of Economics. Since Mankiw taught Ec 10 this year, I’m assuming he’s going to teach it next year too. I’d love to take his class. So, I don’t know if placing out of Ec 10 is such a great idea.</p>
<p>Thoughts, anyone?</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure I’ll take all the intro classes next year. (lol, I doubt I’ll be able to test out of anything even if I want to.)</p>
<p>Placing out of the language requirement is really useful, and many students do that. You still have to take the same number of total classes to graduate, but you can completely avoid taking a language if you want to.</p>
<p>I’ve heard Ec 10 is not at all a fun class, and my friends have said that Mankiw lectures only a few times a year (on Parents’ Weekend, for example). I took Ec 1010a first semester and just finished Ec 1010b and I had a pretty good time of it. Admittedly, I’ve wanted to major in Econ since junior high school, so if you aren’t as sure about your interest in Economics then the intro level course might be preferable.</p>
<p>The placement exams are also a bit flexible. For example, my placement scores put me into 1b (single-variable calculus) but I decided to take 21a based on my AP scores (5 on BC).</p>
<p>How tough are the placement tests compared to AP tests? And I’ve heard the same thing about Ec 10 - I used Mankiw’s book too, and I thought he was funny as hell, and he’s a bit of a celebrity (in fair part as a result of my efforts) around here, but I’ve heard also that he only lectures 5 times in the year, and that the lectures are not that great.</p>
<p>Maybe just sit in on the class during Parents’ Weekend and get his autograph. That might be my plan.</p>
<p>Interesting plan of action. You’ll see me there in his class during Parents’ Weekend.</p>