I already took AP Micro and Macro in high school, getting a 5 on each. As a prospective Econ major does this mean that I should skip Intro to Macroeconomics and Intro to Microeconomics, and go straight to ECON 20000: The Elements of Economic Analysis I? Would it be recommended that I take economics in my first quarter of college anyways?
No
Yes
I got 5s on the AP Econ tests and I didn’t do half the free responses and just doodled because I already knew I’d maxed out on elective credits but had to take the test cause my school required it. I wouldn’t take that score as a green light to skip the intro Econ classes - I mean, maybe you can, but you really don’t know just from that, the test is quite a bit easier than the class here.
The only case where skipping into 200s really makes sense is skipping into the Honors Econ classes if you have a strong math background (i.e. have taken Analysis). Then there’s little reason to go back and take the Intro classes.
Regardless of whether you take Econ. 198 during first year or are able to skip, you need to complete Math 153 or equivalent before beginning Econ. 200. So why not register for Econ. 199 in the autumn and take the Economics placement exam (offered Monday evening of first week) to see how you do. If you place out of Econ 198, you can then take Econ. 200 in the spring (assuming you have met the math pre-req by then); if you don’t place out, take Econ. 198 instead and begin Econ. 200 the following autumn.
Or - register for Econ. 198 in the autumn and take the placement exam - you can add/drop to pick up Econ. 199 if need be (assuming you place out of 198 and that the exam results are known quickly). You might want to contact the Econ. department to check on turnaround time.
The information in the college catalog strongly suggests not skipping 198 and 199, but since they offer the placement exam so early in the year there is no downside to your taking that and making decisions from there.