<p>How hard is the chem placement test (especially if we haven't taken AP) and what kind of material does it test? Is it possible to not be placed into Chem 31X and then enroll in it anyway?</p>
<p>I’m wondering the same since I need to take the Physics placement test :(</p>
<p>The Stanford websites implies an AP or placement exam score is required for chem as quoted below:</p>
<p>**“A score of 5 on the Chemistry AP Exam or a passing score on the Chemistry Placement Test are required to enroll in this course in Axess.”
**
Even if you can enroll with a low placement score, it is probably a bad idea. When I was a freshman a Stanford, I had a weaker physics background than most students since my HS didn’t offer AP physics. However, I was used to always taking the most advanced level of courses available in HS and at other colleges I had taken classes, so I did the same at Stanford. I enrolled in the 60 series for physics, which is intended for students “contemplating a major in Physics or interested in a rigorous treatment of physics” and has a prerequisite of “mastery at the level of AP Physics C.” The class was at a far more advanced level than I anticipated. I ended up working much harder and putting in far more hours into that class (and the rest of the 60 series) than in any other class I’ve taken in my life, including grad school engineering/CS courses. I managed to do okay through hard work, but the experience left me turned off to physics. If I could go back and do it again, I would have taken the course sequence that the placement test recommended. Along the same lines, I wouldn’t recommend prepping for the placement test, as that would defeat the purpose.</p>
<p>error…correction…see below.</p>
<p>^^agree with Data…this recommendation is true for all other peer institutions as well…do not bone up for any of the placement exams…including chemistry…you are defeating the purpose of what the placement exams are all about…especially if you are a pre-med…</p>