<p>... if you think placement tests are presents!</p>
<p>:-D</p>
<p>we get placement tests in the packet??? that actually sounds fun. It'll give me a feel for how hard Caltech is going to kick me in the ass. I know I sound like a masochist, but I can't wait to go somewhere where I'm the dumb one!!!!</p>
<p>are the placement tests just core subjects (math, physics, chem), or more than that. Should I start reviewing chem which I haven't studied in 2 years?</p>
<p>there is a chem placement test, just to decide which section you're in (whether you need extra review or whether you can be in the "supersection" which studies more advanced topics.)</p>
<p>I read in an old thread that the test for placing out of physics is given when we arrive in the fall; it's not in the summer packet. Is this correct?</p>
<p>The first round (for sections and qualifying to take the second placement) is in the packet. The second round for placement is when you arrive.</p>
<p>approximately when do the huge packs arrive and how long do we have after arrival to return the placement exams?</p>
<p>i'm interested in knowing because i might be doing some traveling over the summer and i'm not sure if i need to make separate arrangements or not</p>
<p>I will play with mine. Kinda like a dog. It will be my little Caltech Terrier or something. Then I will read it. I might even sleep with it kinda like little kids sleep with stuffed animals.</p>
<p>CALTECH!</p>
<p>What is the English test like? Write on a prompt? A specific piece of literature?</p>
<p>Well in my year, the WAFT was on a paper concerning the morality of genetic engineering, but I imagine they change the topic. It's about 1,000 words long, and I found that the score you receive has very little correlation to how well you write. Just don't fail.</p>
<p>what happens if you fail?</p>
<p>If you fail, you need to take an english class in basic writing skills which doesn't count for your core humanities requirement. Just make a small effort and you should be fine.</p>
<p>I'm not worried, just curious as to what it would be about. It sounds like good topics are chosen, but if the score doesn't correlate to how well you write than what does it correlate to?</p>
<p>Eh, the rubric is unclear... it's generally not something you need to worry about. If you've learned how to write a five paragraph paper in HS, you'll be fine.</p>