I wasn’t really paying attention and botched my math placement test thinking that it wasn’t that important because it seemed kinda rudimentary / basic (yes, I was dumb enough to think that if I did badly I could just talk my way out / fix the situation, don’t do this and actually take the test for real, wish someone told me how serious the college takes this before I did it). This ended up with me being placed in pre-calc and I’m quite nervous that this will really really hold me back in my prospective major (either bio, business or CS). I actually received the textbook recently and from what I’ve seen, I’ve done everything in it except some of the vector stuff and I didn’t see any differentiation or integration which made me nervous that the class will be the same course I took 2 years prior as a junior in high school. I took Calc Honors at my high school as well, but I don’t know what that really equates to in the college world because I know college Calc is likely more intensive. I’m stuck with this and I’m unsure of what to do because I actually enjoy math and learning new material in the subject. I have always looked forward to college calc and getting into more gritty stuff, so pushing that further away kind of hurts. I know I deserve this for being an idiot but it has me quite worried because I feel like I’m taking 2 steps backwards in freshman year and that this will ride on my back and weigh me down for my whole college career. If anyone knows to what extent that this will effect me, please share. Thanks!
Since you did not name the college, you need to check for yourself whether being placed in remedial math will prevent you from taking needed courses for your major on the schedule you need to take them on to graduate in 8 semesters. I.e. you need to figure out if being a semester late in math will force you to delay other courses that have math prerequisites. Also, if your 8 semester schedule has no free electives beyond your major and general education requirements, the need to take remedial math means that you may have to take the course you would otherwise have taken instead of an extra math course as an overload, or in an extra semester or summer session.
If you really think the math is the wrong level, you MIGHT be able to prove your way out of it. What was your ACT/SAT math score? What was covered in your math algebra/pre-algebra? Could you show somehow that you do know the material? Will they let you retest?
My daughter took algebra I and II, and geometry in high school, but her ACT scores were not high enough to get her out of math in college (history major, so just basic math needed). And her school charges by the credit, so to take remedial math (THREE courses at about $3000 each) was going to be expensive, the credits wouldn’t have counted for FA or scholarship purposes (toward the 12 credits required per semester to be a full time student), and probably would have resulted in her not graduating for an extra year or two! Her school would NOT accept any high school work as proof of knowing the material, even for the remedial classes, but maybe yours will.
So what she did was take a math class at a local university this summer. That school allowed her to waive the remedial class and go into the level she needed to pass for graduation. Her regular schools says they will accept this course for the arts & sciences class (haven’t yet, so we’re still a little worried). One reason this worked for her is that she doesn’t need any other math for other classes, not taking chemistry or any class like that so not trying to build a foundation in math to then take calculus - oh she’d die at the thought!
Did you do well in Honors Calc in high school? If yes, then pursue this with your college and see if there are any other ways to get around the placement test results (SAT/ACT score as @twoinanddone mentioned might work). Otherwise, you will likely be a class behind your peers, which as @ucbalumnus points out, can affect your ability to register for classes that have Calc as a prerequisite.
Consider, however, that this could be a blessing in disguise. My S didn’t have to take the math placement test at his college because his ACT score was high enough to start with Calc. He had taken up to Pre-Calc in high school and did OK in it, but not great. Calc 1 was a 4-credit class and a heavy lift for him; he put a lot of effort into the class (supplemental instruction, study groups, etc.) to eke out a C+. In the meantime, his roommate, who had taken Calc AB in high school, did the same thing you did-- took the placement test a little too casually and ended up starting with 3-credit Pre-Calc. It was fairly easy for him (don’t know what his final grade was) and allowed him to focus on his other classes, adapt to college, etc. He will have to overload one semester (or take a summer class) to “catch up” but that’s not a terrible thing.
You got the Test Grade that you EARNED. Sit with that thought for a moment.
It is no one else’s “fault” that you are in the situation you are in. No one is discriminating against you, the policy is set and the parameters are for everyone’s benefit (in general). The fact that you CHOSE to blow off this test is on you.
It does not HAVE to mean doom and gloom for your entire future career. Life is not over for you. But maybe, just maybe, you could focus on learning a valuable lesson here? Every small baby step can have an influence on the direction you are heading in life. Consider yourself fortunate that ignoring this one baby step is not going to keep you from graduating college.
As you are tempted to skip a study session to play video games, or head out to a party, remember that each test grade in college has a larger impact on your GPA than in HS. There are fewer homework assignments, but HUGE numbers of pages to be read in each class. Do not blow off the reading assignments. And GO TO CLASS. Even the Math Class. Even if you think it is boring. Attendance might be part of the course grade (Be sure to Read and Re-Read each course syllabus). Go to study sessions offered by the TA. Ask for help as soon as you are confused.
So, I suggest you take your Math course as seriously as you take all the others in college. Do the homework, do the practice problems. This is a chance to get that A that might balance out a B or C from another course you might struggle with.
You sound like an intelligent student. You will figure out how to catch back up in Math. Don’t let your mind frame this as such a negative thing that has the power to keep you from reaching your life goals. Think it through, ask your Advisor for suggestions, and plan now to put in the work you need for each of your college courses.
Best of luck to you!