Course Validation

<p>I know there were many threads regarding course validation and apologize in advance if I'm repeating this question. I know you can validate Calc, English, Physics, history, and Chem but I can't find anywhere whether or not you can validate AP Gov't & Econ. Does anyone know or have tried to validate these classes?</p>

<p>AP Courses are not validated per se. Each plebe is given validation tests early in Beast. The scores received on these tests and in some cases the AP Test scores will allow validation of certain plebe core courses.</p>

<p>When taking the AP tests the student should request the scores be sent directly to USMA so they will be received in a timely manner for proper review.</p>

<p>can you choose to opt out of these tests to take the basics if you KNOW you arent able to validate courses?</p>

<p>Nope - they make you take them. That way they know how to place you in plebe courses.</p>

<p>I think maybe the question should've been if they offer validation tests for U.S. Gov't and Econs (micro or macro).</p>

<p>You can try to 'validate' AP, Physics, Econ classes at the end of plebe year. Unless you are a legit genius. By that I mean you have to take a test and even then they will most likey just try to put you in advanced instead of regular. Trust me I know all too well. If you validate plebe history or somthing like that you might take AP and then Dirt like I did. </p>

<p>The saying, "there is a right way, a wrong way, and there's the WP way" definatly plays in here.</p>

<p>The Dean dosen't like you to get out of classes.</p>

<p>What is dirt?</p>

<p>Dirt is cadet slang for Geography. :)</p>

<p>I myself had 5's on the AP American Politics, Comparative Politics, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics tests. However, the Social Sciences (SOSH) Department at USMA is not very permissive in allowing you to validate any of their courses. According to them, AP tests are not up to snuff and only colleges that they consider to be at a similar level will provide you with the requisite knowledge.</p>

<p>If you are at the end of your plebe year with solid grades AND you have the AP or IB grades to, then you can take a validation exam if you seek it out. No one will inform you of this. If you, however, validate plebe classes to begin with, and attempt to subsequently validate yearling core courses, you will be stonewalled. If you have the grades to back it up and would like to make the attempt, you should avoid being enrolled in Econ or AP until you've had the opportunity to talk with the SOSH Department, the Office of the Dean, and various mentors. You will likely need some help to ramrod your way through. I wish I had been aware of this as a plebe so that I could have worked harder for a way out of those classes.</p>

<p>And if you don't validate them, you'll end up being the kid who sits through every class knowing the answers and not saying anything because you don't want to irritate all the upperclassmen, but have really good grades to reflect it. If you think you are going to ace the AP tests (and I do mean ace), feel free to e-mail me at <a href="mailto:maethor0@gmail.com">maethor0@gmail.com</a> with further questions. I can help you out if you do deserve to be in higher level courses. Of course, don't expect me to be very friendly during Beast ;)</p>