<p>I know that there is a gym test. What tasks must we perform, for men and women? And what is the outcome if I'm an un-athletic dork who can only float around the pool on her back?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>As part of the Core (no joke!) Chicago requires students to either take or pass out of 3 quarters of physical education, and also to be able to pass a swim test.
The swim test is two lengths of the pool (the short way, not the long way) in any style you choose. Some people do butterfly, some dog paddle. If you know how to swim, or at least know you won't drown, attempt the swim test. If you do not take the swim test, cannot complete the required two laps, or need to be rescued, you'll need to take a quarter of swimming.
The rest of the PE test is a little more arbitrary. Most of the tests are a little odd. As I recall, strength, endurance, and flexibility are measured (somehow). The flexibility tests include a test of shoulder flexibility and a sit-reach test. Endurance is mainly measured by a step-test, where you have your heart rate measured, step up and down on the bleachers for a few minutes, and have your heart rate measured again, and an abdominal crunches test. Strength is measured by a grip test and bench pressing an amount of weight of some proportion to your own weight (the ratio is different for guys and girls, don't remember exactly what it is, but you get to self-report your weight and as long as you're reasonably accurate they won't ask questions). Are these tests a completely accurate representation of a person's physical fitness? I don't necessarily think so, but if you are in decent shape, you'll usually be able to pass out of at least a quarter. I took no PE in high school but work out on my own and passed out of 3 quarters, but the highly inflexible ex-HS-football player in my dorm has to take all three. All PE classes are pass/fail and based mainly on showing up and putting in a small amount of effort, so they're really nothing to worry about. The University realizes that not everyone really truly wants to take PE, and so offers a lot of fun classes you can take to satisfy the requirement- along with your basic conditioning or weight training classes, there are classes like archery, yoga, social dance, ballet, etc. The classes do not count against the four academic classes you can take, so you can take a full 4-class courseload and a PE class without paying extra.
If I've forgotten anything, other students should feel free to fill in.</p>
<p>To me, the swim test is honestly one of the most endearing things about Chicago. I have absolutely no idea why, it's just funny. I'm glad dog-paddling counts...</p>
<p>I will be compepting in 2 varsity sports at Chicago, do I still have to take Pe classes?</p>
<p>Swim test will be no problem, particularly if it's the short length of the pool...I've been swimming for as long as I can remember. The gym test, though, will be...interesting...to say the least.</p>
<p>Oh well.</p>
<p>I'm not sure how it works with varsity sports- you'll have to ask the coach if you automatically don't have to take it. My guess is that you'll still have to take the tests, but most likely you'll be in good enough shape to pass out of PE anyway.</p>
<p>Thank you, Gracello! That was super-informative and I feel better about not making a fool of myself with the pool test. It's not timed, is it? Wow, UC is hardcore about making its students well-balanced, fitness included, which I suppose is fair, though I don't know any other schools who do this.</p>
<p>My friend told me we also have to run a distance in a certain amount of time. Is this true?</p>
<p>Silvykins,
My S backfloated his way through the swim test. Seriously. Passing it was probably the most shocking news I've received from him since he headed off to college!</p>
<p>I floated for half of the swim test and passed - I honestly have learned how to swim SINCE coming to college and I still passed the test during O-Week.</p>
<p>The gym test is a bunch of stuff - grip test, step test, chest press, sit ups, flexibility back stretch test, maybe a few other things. No big deal, though it took longer than I expected.</p>
<p>My S passed the swim test (aside from splashing around in a hotel pool on a couple of vacations, he hasn't been in any kind of situation involving swimming for many years), which means that pretty much anyone can. He did not test out of the P.E. requirement (he may be the only one of his friends to have not tested out of at least 1 quarter), but ended up being pleased to be taking P.E. as a way of staving off the "freshman 15".</p>
<p>I have no flexibility whatsoever. I am screwed for that part of the test haha</p>
<p>I can put my foot around the back of my neck, so the flexibility should be fine, but everything else for me will be sketchy and probably entertaining for anyone watching. :)</p>
<p>Silvykins- unless they've changed the test, there shouldn't be a running portion. I think your friend might be misinterpreting the step test portion of it.</p>
<p>My daughter is a first year, and a varsity athlete. Her coach administered the PE test to her and the others on the team during preseason, before O-week. As others have noted, it is not a big deal.</p>