<p>Hey, I'm applying for the program this year. I took bio last year and am currently taking Chem this year. I have also been self-studying a little physics with the Kaplan SAT II book. I'm fairly confident that I will have no problem with the math section. My main concern is the science portion. I have never taken Earth Science, and I consider my biology to be not as strong as I would like it to be. I was wondering if any past participants could offer me some advice on how I should continue to prepare? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>copied and pasted from the last thread:</p>
<p>Breakdown of the test:
-Ridiculously easy math section; no reason to get a single question wrong
-mehhhish science section. I took the test as a freshman, so I didn't know any of the physics or chemistry (didn't know what a mole was), but you should be able to reason out the earth science stuff. If you're a freshman like I was, I would brush up on the bare basics of chemistry and physics. If you care enough, I suppose you can study a lot of each science, as these are know-it-or-you-don't questions more than reasoning.
-challenge math section: this is what will get you in. The questions are AMCish, but you don't have to know as much math. It's all reasoning. Perhaps try practicing on AMC questions? I don't see how these questions can be prepared for.</p>
<p>One thing to note is that the test is curved according to your grade level. That means that it is much, much easier to get in as a freshman than as a senior. Everyone be sure to apply as a freshman - the program is incredible. It's well worth the commute.</p>
<p>Then again, judging by some of the responses above, the admissions process has evolved quite a bit in three years. All I did was send in my math/science grades, a math/science rec, and I took the test. No essay. I do agree that Columbia wants to evolve SHP into an RSI equivalent. And why not? It attracts smart math/science kids to the school and, if it keeps on growing, it'll provide a discriminating factor to sort out all of the briliant kids that come out of northern NJ/NYC/Southwestern CT. (I sincerely hope)</p>
<p>Yeah - I second tokonyo's take. You get 40 minutes to solve 60 MC math questions on the first math section (no calc) and I finished with 12 minutes to spare.</p>
<p>Science section is basically AP concept questions for all sciences - especially on the 2nd science section, which is more lab data analysis and interpretation. You would have to have had at least general bio, phys, and chem to do really well on this section - and they through on some odds-and-ends like geology, astrology, and meteorlogy.</p>
<p>Challenge math section is just that - challenging. Basically all concept questions but some of the math is pretty tough. Last year's test had a word problem that ended up being the sum of an infinite series, so you need to know how to do that (not too hard, but you gotta remember stuff up to that difficulty and without a calc). I got 9/15 challenge right, probably around 55/60 on the reg math section and above average on the science part and I didn't get in. You really need to be top notch to get in, but defnitely try since it's free - my friend is in the program and he loves it.</p>
<p>I think I can get like a 8ish on the AIME, so will I be able to do well on the Challenge math section?</p>
<p>PS: I am a sophomore and haven't taken Physics yet, so if I do good on the physics questions, will that help me or will they just disregard it?</p>
<p>Dude, if you can get an 8 on AIME then you should be able to answer all of the challenge problems. You still have a few weeks before the test - I would suggest studying some physics before (especially dynamics, kinematics, circuits/electro-magnestism) and if you have time also color and optics/mirrors stuff.</p>
<p>dude the challenge problems are a joke...
I don't know what the AMC is but these aren't hard
I took the test last year and I got a 15/15 and there was definetly not an infinite series question lol...</p>
<p>I took the test in April and it turned out to be really easy. I think I have a decent chance at making it. To anyone who plans to try out next year, make sure you know basic biology concepts well, since I felt most of the test was on bio. There were a few earth science and physics questions, but almost no chemistry. There were 20 challenge questions and I think while some of them were decent in difficulty, most of them should take 2 to 3 minutes to solve. Algebra 2 and geometry will be enough to solve most of them. The general math section was really easy though. Just try to avoid silly mistakes on that section.</p>
<p>i took it in march. but i didnt get in... the test however seemed easy. especially math. science was difficult since i havent taken physics yet, but overall the test was OK. the challenge math was fun.. but i love math so i had a good time doin those q's. yea i had basically the same stats as crypto. about 13/15 on challenge, 57,58/60 on math and pretty good in science.. i was kinda disappointed i didnt make it, but im gonna try next year again!</p>
<p>I took it in April and got in. Here's the basic breakdown:</p>
<p>Science Section: 75 questions - most of these are common sense/basic knowledge questions that involve reading a graph. Some require a little thinking, but most of them are simple. I remember there was a question about the what the gulf stream was. You should get at least 70 right.</p>
<p>Math Section: If you can get 8 on the aime, you will get a perfect score, so don't worry.</p>
<p>Challenge Math Section: 20 questions - the first few are far from being challenging. Again, if you can get 8 on the aime, you will get a perfect score.</p>
<p>I was gonna do </p>
<p>RELATIVITY AND QUANTUM THEORY and EXPERIMENTS IN ATOMIC AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS ..</p>
<p>Anyone have first hand experience for these courses? Also, have I missed the deadline? If not, when's the deadline?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>you should've gotten something in the mail. the course info hasn't come yet. you can take two courses?</p>
<p>Hehe, I just got the letter like last week, too. Hope to see some of you there!</p>
<p>How does the application process work?</p>