<p>Well, I recently learned (after signing up for the AP calculus exam) that A&M engineering does not allow their students to place out of freshman calculus (math 151&152 iirc).</p>
<p>If I were to get a 4 or 5 on my Calculus AB exam, what could I do with the 3 semester hours...if anything at all? Would A&M just make it elective credits?</p>
<p>And I am taking the AP physics C:mechanics exam, any clue if A&M engineering allows for placement out of physics:mechanics? (phys 218 iirc)</p>
<p>SIGH...hope it isn't a waste of money to take those and receive NOTHING</p>
<p>Did you know you have to pay for the hours you get for AP credits??? They don't just give you the hours. You may just elect to do nothing with the AP credits and consider the test just good experience.
Just FYI -</p>
<p>Pay for the hours????? Whaaaattttttttttttttttt? More info on that please.
Is that just for UT or everywhere?</p>
<p>I'm taking CalcBC but just so I have a better understanding of the subject. I'd prefer to take Calc1 and 2 in college anyway for a "slightly easier" A. AP Math isn't usually a good indicator of knowledge in the subject. AP tests like History/Psych are - take those credits.</p>
<p>There is nothing stopping you from getting credit at A&M for any AP test, it’s just that the college of engineering wants you to take calculus and physics with them (and trust me it will be significantly more thorough than AP). Also, the physics 218 classes have special sections for engineering majors. So basically, it would be in your best interest to go through the college level classes anyway instead of just learning the material for a standardized test. I’m a math major and I did the whole ‘test out of everything’ plan (math and physics) and there was a lot of stuff I had to catch up on.</p>
<p>You do NOT pay for hours at A&M that you receive elsewhere. I’ve had friends who greatly regretted taking their AP credits and not taking the courses at A&M. They ended up behind. If you take the tests, get credit, then still take the class, you’ll still only get 3 hours of credit. You can’t have 6 hours for the same class…even if one’s AP and one’s A&M. </p>
<p>I took Calculus in HS (but not the test), and it definitely helped me in my MATH classes I took at A&M (I’m a liberal arts major…) Also, realize it’s possible that you may not stay an engineer. In this case, you’ll be able to take the hours from A&M without a problem.</p>
<p>fusionshrimp- what do you mean the school prefers you take the math and physics with them? My son will have finished through Calculus 3 by the time he finishes high school and starts at A&M. Based on what you know would this be an issue?</p>
<p>They “prefer” that you take classes like that at A&M rather than receive AP credit. AP classes are not nearly as tough as their equivalent engineering classes at A&M. So when you start out in Calculus 2 or 3 due to AP credit, you won’t be as prepared in those classes because AP classes don’t necessarily teach all the material that is supposed to be covered by then. The school will show you statistics saying that engineering students who do take the credit will be worse off their first semester. The same ideology is held for physics. These classes are the foundation of any engineering major. With that being said, if your son knows the material well through Calculus 3… there is no reason to start him in remedial classes that will bore him. If anything, maybe have him start in Calculus 3 as a review/GPA booster.</p>
