<p>Not that I'm aware of. I think you need the AP test.</p>
<p>hmm, thanks, I'll look into it</p>
<p>I've heard two schools of thought on the "skipping up a level" theory. One, skip a level or two and you will be in a very hard class your first year when everything is very difficult but then it will free up your senior year. Or don't skip and you'll have a relatively easier time...not to say that anything is 'easy' at USAFA.<br>
Opinions?</p>
<p>My son comes from a school that offers 25...yes, 25...AP Classes. Extremely competitive school. He has learned that skipping is not always the best thing to do. He's currently in Chinese 4, two summers immersion, one in China. I'm assuming language would be the one subject to definitely go through the placement test.</p>
<p>Remember...and I say this respectfully. Your high school curriculum might not be as difficult as you think, when compared with USAFA standards. Think long and hard before you bite off more than you can chew.</p>
<p>hornetguy: Volleyball?! My son will be so excited (if he gets in). He's a varsity volleyball player. Not very many schools offer volleyball.</p>
<p>They have a traveling Volleyball team that competes with other schools in the area. One of the Cadets Sara went to High School with is planning on joining it. I think it is a club sport. Hornet?</p>
<p>singaporemom: I had been leaning more towards taking the basic classes as a 4 dig, to simply allow an easier transition, but this info tht has been presented has begun to sway me the othr way...</p>
<p>Still not to sure though, but I am beginning to think ill just validate, or try hard on the AP tests to free up the senior year. Opinions as well?</p>
<p>There are very few "easy" classes here. The subject matter in higher level classes is (of course) harder, but the work load seems fairly consistent...at least in core classes. If you validate a class, chances are you are fairly well prepared for the next one. Back to my Calc 2 example--I found calc 3 to be easier (largely due to the teacher). It was largely a waste of a semester for me to take calc 2.</p>
<p>By validating, you don't really "free up" senior year, but make the majority of your years simpler (at least, if you work your schedule correctly). Validating classes kept me from having any 7 class semesters...which are not pleasant!</p>
<p>Along with raimius, even with my language minor, no 7 class semesters. That is the NORM even WITHOUT a minor. </p>
<p>singaporemom- I have played volleyball as an intermural (Spring 4 dig year) and would have this year had I not been rudely told to do cross-country instead....They also offer it as a PE class. I don't know about a club though. </p>
<p>For validating. I will qualify, I did go to a very difficult high school. I can say that in truth. As in over 95% go to college, valedictorian at Harvard, other top ten peeps at other Ivies, and just about every AP course was offered there. The norm on the AP exams were above a 3. I had an easier time as a freshman here at USAFA than I had during high school. Including an average of 2-3 hours more sleep a night despite being a 4 dig. I still feel less stressed academically (and overall most of the time) here than in high school. So, yes, validating may not be the best for everyone, but hear me out:</p>
<p>You can drop back down a level if you think you won't be able to handle it. You get into Calc 3 and in a few lessons you are already drowning, so you drop back down to calc 2; can't go the other way. However, you can drop calc 3 at ANY time, including lesson 39 of 40 and it will be erased from your record. You can then retake it (if your major requires) or flat out not take it if you major does not. Chem 222 which is the class you take if you validate the first 2 semesters of chem counts as a whopping 9 credits (because it also includes the two semesters you just validated), but only chemistry majors are actually required to take it. raimius will tell you it is not easy, and if you are not chemistry inclined, it is indeed harder (not as hard as core in my opinion based on the material I saw classmates doing). But, I believe it is also droppable, albeit it must be done earlier. </p>
<p>However, I absolutely, without a DOUBT recommend validating English 111, Bio 215, computer science, and physics as they have no class you must take after completing them. (English 211 is sufficiently different from 111 to warrant saying this). </p>
<p>This is one of my biggest things for future cadets, so if you need ANY clarification, keep asking. More people NEED and SHOULD be educated on these topics.</p>
<p>Taking two years of physics in high school definitely does give you a leg up, but honestly if it comes to deciding between AP Chem and AP Physics I would suggest going for Chemistry. Do both if you can... it will reallllly help you here to have a solid background in both of those subjects.</p>
<p>So, AP English Lit and English Language go towards validating the same class?</p>
<p>I ask because I passed the Lit test last year, and am in AP Language. But there would be no benefit for me to take the test this year, correct?</p>
<p>Side note: bummer, those are the only AP classes my school offers. The UC's used to offer them online, so I got to take Calc AB last year, but they didn't do it this year.</p>
<p>hornet, you said you think econ can be validated? I took micro at a jc...could that possibly transfer or would I have to test out? How would that work?
Thanks!</p>
<p>Hornetguy: Very useful information, Thank You!
I would never think that anything at the Academy will be 'easy', I apologize if that's how it came across.</p>
<p>It sounds as if there is a good system in place to make sure the cadets are at the level they need to be, which is the most important thing. Even if they go up a level and need to adjust. That is good to know. I feel that the Academy wants it's cadets to succeed. Obviously it's in their best interest for them to succeed.</p>
<p>I've seen too many students here trying to succeed for their parents that they lose sight of life. Once our kids get onto that bus we have to place them into the Academy's hands. It will be nice to know that our child's success will be within themselves and that they will have a support system to help them should they stumble.</p>
<p>missmuff- If you took the AP lit test and received a 4 or 5, then you are able to validate English 111 (as in walk into the dept here and show them proof and they will validate you on the spot). </p>
<p>You would need AP econ tests I believe. Since econ is a sophomore class, you could just wait and talk to the dept once you get here and see what the deal is. OR, if you want to know (anyone) from the dept, here is their contact: (719) 333-3080.</p>
<p>My ds is taking 2 classes at the community college, this semester (jump start) and we have been told that they will not transfer the courses. He took Calc and English 113 (?) in the fall which don't count either. Our ALO has stated that the APs with scores of 4 or 5 will count, but not the community college courses.</p>
<p>You should consider whether or not you want to jump classes in your 1st yr at the acad...remember you will have additional burdens beside your classes.</p>
<p>I felt like jumping helped deal with the burdens. When my room mates had to spend 30-45 minutes each night on calc or chem and couldn't do everything else, I felt better not having to spend that same time daily due to the nature of the courses ahead of them. </p>
<p>I know so many people are coming on here and think that not validating will lead to an easy A, that is NOT an accurate thought. Freshman chem and calc are the PRIMARY reason 4 digs and 3 digs are on academic probation. Remember, MOST of these people came in with AP chem and calc under their belts, and so many still ended up on probation or doing very worse than they thought. I won't point out people, and won't expect them to identify themselves, but some CCers on here on on ac pro or not doing as well as they thought despite the credentials that most CCers have! PEOPLE, I REALLY AND TRULY FEEL STRONGER AND MORE SURE ON THIS THAN ANYTHING ELSE I CAN PROVIDE FEEDBACK HERE ON CC.</p>
<p>Also, validating will not mean you are stuck in classes with upperclassmen. I took calc 3 and chem 222 with fellow freshman. We all knew each other and it was easy to find help among us when we needed it. </p>
<p>It also says something to me when my old room mates would curse their decision not to attempt to validate and go to advanced classes as they compared what I had to do to what they had to do. Even cadets here wished they would have tried to advance quicker.</p>
<p>and bullet/pima, I promise I'm not dogging on you.</p>
<p>For the math validation, I read on the website that you have to have gotten a 4/5 on the BC test and take the test.</p>
<p>There's no way you can just take the test?</p>
<p>I took AB last year (they didn't offer BC and, honestly, I probably wouldn't have been able to handle it, even if they had), but this year I'm taking Calc 2 at the college.</p>
<p>What I'm asking is, to me it doesn't look like I <em>could</em> validate the math, but can I on the placement test?</p>
<p>Not a problem, I am glad you stated that. It is very enlightening.</p>
<p>If you follow common thought, most people would believe it would be easier to repeat, afterall if the cadet passed the course in hs ....?</p>
<p>So you are suggesting that if you get a 4/5 on AP you should validate and go one level higher? Out of curiosity, why are they having problems if they took AP and passed? </p>
<p>BTW Bullet said you got credit for TKD, DS is a black belt and Jr Olympic/State Champ...how did you do it?</p>
<p>missmuff- I believe you can just take the validation test. They didn't tell anyone taking it to leave if they hadn't taken AP. You should be fine. </p>
<p>pima- I agree, you would think that common thought would dictate taking a second time would help. To be honest, half the stuff that 2010 did in calc/chem looked about as familiar as Chinese to me. They have dumbed down chem for 2011 and got them a better book, but I still think the material is worthless. </p>
<p>
So you are suggesting that if you get a 4/5 on AP you should validate and go one level higher? Out of curiosity, why are they having problems if they took AP and passed?
IRONICALLY, it is for the reason you stated above. :) The time needed to do well in those classes is not readily available to a 4 dig, unless you are REALLY good at time management, which most are not (I learned once I got here). ;) </p>
<p>The head guy for UC told me when I had him for physical development that I should validate both with my credentials (again, hoping he lives up to his statement). </p>
<p>I am a 3rd degree blackbelt, 2x state champ, ranked 6th in world, won a national competition in Orlando (not national title per se, but at the nationals competition [singaporemom might kill me for not qualifying that ;) ]). Been doing TKD since 1998.</p>
<p>Two more quick questions on the validation. The site says you need a four or five, is that both parts I and II of the exam? Or just the mechanics section?</p>
<p>Second, this is a bit out there, but stay with me. My school district doesn't have the Physics C class. We only have B. However, of the eight kids in my physics class, no one hasn't at least taken Calc AB. So my teacher decided he's going to start teaching some of the Physics C material in addidition to the B material. </p>
<p>Since the school district required us all to take the AP exam if we're in the class, I'm definitely going to take the B exam. However, the teacher asked if anyone's interested in taking the physics C mechanics section in addition to the B exam. (Yes, I know they're at the same time, he's going to contact college board to see if we could take both at the same time, cause aparently they do that.)</p>
<p>But I guess my question is, from those people that have taken the C exam, am I, with the B class (with his added C material) and a Be Prepared for the AP Physics C book, just setting myself up for a worthless waste of time, and any score worthwhile is completely out of reach?</p>
<p>Just looking for some feedback. Thanks.</p>
<p>A 4 or 5 on the mechanics C will validate physics 110 here and a 4 or a 5 on the elec/magnetism AP C exam will validate physics 215. If you can get a 4 or better on the C exam, it is not a waste of time. The B exam will do nothing for you here anyways.</p>
<p>CranoOrden,</p>
<p>If I understand correctly, you are learning the Physics B material and he's covering some of the C material also, but you've never had physics?</p>
<p>I think if you're teacher is covering the Physics C material, you should be able to at least pull a 4, and if you self-study hard maybe pull a 5. I'm not sure if not having at least Calc I is going to hurt you, though. Physics C takes a lot more thinking than Physics B. For me Physics B was just plugging in numbers to get an answer. Physics C is a lot more analytical thinking.</p>