<p>Mathematics Diagnostic Examination
Boston University Writing Assessment </p>
<p>Are the above mentioned actually challenging and difficult? I mean, haven taken AP Lit/Comp and AP Calc AB, will either of these tests be a problem for me? And for the Writing thing, it says: “Students for whom English is not their first language will receive placement solely on the basis of the BUWA.” Doesn’t that apply to all students…?</p>
<p>-The Foreign Coot66</p>
<p>math.. i'm not sure about. i never had to take it. i forgot whether that was because i'm in COM or because of AP Calc credit.</p>
<p>the BU writing assessment (BUWA) is a simple task. in 50 minutes, u read a one-page passage and then write a summary and analysis of it. you'll be graded on a scale of 1-5, 5 being the best. i don't remember what grades correspond to what class placements, but about 90% of everyone will get placed into Writing100 aka WR100. some students, usually international students whose first language isn't english, will be placed in lower levels (mainly WR99 and WR98). a very very select few will do well enough on the BUWA that they'll be placed in WR150, which is one level higher than WR100.</p>
<p>don't worry about it. just do the task as best as u can and you'll most likely be placed in WR100.</p>
<p>and i'm not sure about the quote u mentioned. i thought it applied to all students too.</p>
<p>I believe the math assessment isn't like a binding thing. I"m pretty sure it tells you which level you're skills are most at. But that doesn't mean you can't be in a higher or lower class.</p>
<p>Odds are very good, as said above, it will be WR100, so don't even think about it. The only meaning in that is it may, depending on your college, mean you then have to take WR150. What are these classes? They're literature classes that happen to fit that level. They're not just writing classes, but normal literature classes like about Cervantes or other stuff and normal papers. Some teachers treat them more as writing classes than others. See ratemyprofessor.com when the time comes.</p>
<p>So basically what you're sayin is we shouldn't worry about em?</p>
<p>Uh . . . . . yeah.</p>
<p>it's gonna be fine... just wing em because that's what they're for... to see where your level is at, not the level after you've studied frantically? lol if you overprepare and then spend the rest of the summer forgetting it and they place you into like calculus iii... i don't think that bodes well.</p>
<p>Err... the WR classes aren't regular literature classes with the exception of those cross-listed as EN120. Many of them have rather fluffy topics, like "writing about physics," and the reading loads are usually quite light in relation to the relatively heavy writing loads. The curricula are heavily prescribed by the Writing Center, and the bulk are taught by adjunct faculty and grad students. If you can find a way to get out, do so-- while a writing class is a great and important thing, these are in a generous assessment hit and miss.</p>
<p>The WR100 classes are listed on the transcript as WR100 Writing Seminar with a section number but the courses are mostly literature classes - of whatever interest to you individually - and there is a variety beyond literature. The amount of writing and the amount of writing criticism being largely up to the professor. You do have requirements to visit the writing center, etc. but that's not a huge deal.</p>
<p>the math test was a piece of pie. If you've taken AP calc, you'd most likely be placed into MA124/127 (if you do, make sure you avoid someone named Fernandez -.- ...)</p>
<p>BUWA, uhh, I hated that thing with a passion. I was placed into WR099 because I hadn't write much over the summer. </p>
<p>But, anyhow, you really shouldn't worry about the placement tests.</p>
<p>I took the Math diagnostic exam yesterday. It's really easy. I got 34/35 and I haven't looked at a math textbook for ages. For the foreign language tests, I don't know, for some reason it's not accepting the password I'm entering. :S</p>
<p>The language tests are extremely easy.</p>
<p>^ Thanks fiddlefrog. I'd like to get them done with but my password isn't being accepted when I try to access the page for foreign language tests.</p>
<p>How do the diagnostic tests work, exactly?
I know the BUWA is done at orientation, but do you just do the math one through the website linked from the orientation site? Is it just online then?</p>
<p>Yeah math is just online</p>
<p>the math and language tests are online. some schools require u to take them at home before orientation and some require u to take it at a computer lab during orientation with a proctor. i would check with your college before taking the tests.</p>
<p>i know that for COM the language test is taken during orientation. the math test was either taken at home or not required.. i forgot.</p>
<p>and the password for the tests is NOT your BU kerberos password, if that's the reason why it's not working. it's a password that your college will either email u or give to u at orientation.</p>
<p>the password for the language tests is terriers1. You have to do it before orientation</p>
<p>Thanks for clearing that up :)</p>
<p>The math one says "Your scores on this exam will be reported to you and to the acdemic orientation office only. This exam is only for diagnostic purposes to help you choose the appropriate mathematics or statistics class."</p>
<p>So does that mean it doesn't actually count for anything?</p>
<p>-The Diagnostic Coot66</p>
<p>Yes. lol. Well i think it means that wherever you place you can take that class or lower. It probably helps so people don't inadvertantly take a class that is ridiculously hard for them.</p>