<p>I took AP Physics B (4), AP Physics C Mech (4) and opted to not take E&M because I didn't know the implications and it wasn't required from my class.</p>
<p>I am another boring econ major who doesn't want to touch physical sciences classes again.</p>
<p>I know I get credit for 12100 for my mechanics score...but I need 12200 to complete gen. ed and 12300 for majoring in economics.</p>
<p>How hard is the test? I am a bit rusty on E&M but...my friends said E&M was really easy and statistically the top ~60% of people who take it would get a 4/5 (or credit through 12300). Will Chicago pity my soul or will they give me a really hard vector calculus test?</p>
<p>I guess this assumes that the test is still even offered.</p>
<p>I’ve read somewhere (maybe on the Physics website) that students who’ve taken actual college Physics courses (not AP/IB/High School Honors) are prepared for the test (although this maybe only applies to the 13000 test and not the 12000 one). Although you could always give it a shot - nothing to lose! </p>
<p>Also, since you got a 4 in Physics B, you already get 2 quarters of Physical Science (not Physics) credit - which does fulfill the core requirement. Since you just don’t want to do physical science courses again and aren’t looking for physics credit, you’re all set. :)</p>
<p>pandapals, why do you need a 12300 to major in economics? Where does it say that I’m curious b/c I’m planning to major in econ too and I really don’t want to take the physics placement test since I’ve already satisfied the general core requirements</p>
<p>You won’t need to take any physical science courses if you got a 4 on the AP Physics B test.</p>
<p>For anyone else who’s interested, the physics accreditation test is tough. I haven’t taken it, nor do I personally know anyone who has, but my adviser said that the only students who do well on it have taken college physics courses or attended high school outside the US. I don’t want to sound scary or discouraging since I have no personal knowledge of the test, but that’s what I know.</p>
<p>The Uchicago website says:
“The first examination may be taken by incoming students only at the time of matriculation in the College. Students who pass the first examination (for Physics 12100 or 14100) will receive credit for the lecture part of the course only and will then be invited to try the next examination of the series.”
Are these successive exams also conducted during O-week?</p>
<p>^I believe they are, but I don’t know that it’s officially scheduled. I think they have a special meeting for this. If you’re interested, just ask your adviser at the first meeting and he/she will hook you up. Only a small number of students take the tests, so information about them is a bit scant.</p>
<p>The only reason I need to take the test is for 12300 credit, a major requirement for a BS/BA/BS with specialization in economics.</p>
<p>I was afraid it was going to be difficult…but thought maybe because they would give you credit for the whole series with 4’s or better on AP Physics C (which is pretty easy considering you only need to be in top 60% for E&M).</p>
<p>Again, I am only looking for 12000 series credit.</p>
<p>Upon a closer reading of the course catalogue, it appears that there are TWO distinct accreditation exams, one for the 12000 series and one for the 14000 series. I can understand that the 14000 series is difficult, as it is a series required for physics majors. I just hope the 12000 series is easier because the class is meant for students who don’t plan on taking more physics (as it does not count towards major).</p>