Is it a good idea to place out of GIRs?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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<p>I've looked around, but I can't seem to find an answer to this question. When taking placement tests for bio, chem, calculus, etc. in the fall, would it be a good idea to place out of as many as possible? Or is it more strategic GPA-wise to retake these?</p>

<p>And if I do manage to place out, would I simply be done with the requirements, or would I have to take a more advanced class in place of it to fulfill the requirement?</p>

<p>I've been on the MIT website a lot, but I don't really understand how the credits work.</p>

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<p>Your first term freshman year will be on pass/no record, so you won’t be getting a GPA first term.</p>

<p>I’d advise taking the placement tests if you think you might pass them. MIT will not let you pass out of a class you’re not ready to pass out of, and getting started on new material is much more awesome than review, IMO ^^</p>

<p>What do you mean, more advanced? If, say, you pass out of 5.111 (intro chem), you don’t have to take any more chem classes.</p>

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<p>I’m not sure what he means either, but you aren’t required to replace a GIR you pass out of with a more advanced class or harder version. </p>

<p>There are theoretical versions of the math and physics GIRs, but those are for people who choose to take them.</p>

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<p>Some schools don’t have class requirements (eg math classes up to multivariable calculus) but have distribution requirements (4 credits of math) so that even if you have already taken multivariable calc and pass the placement test, you still have to take 4 credits of math.</p>

<p>According to Piper and Collegealum, MIT has class requirements and not distribution requirements.</p>

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<p>I would recommend placing out whenever you can. Even if you will have to take more advanced classes extra. You will get out more from your MIT experience if you do that. You will actually learn new material. You will waste less time. The one exception I can find is 8.01/8.012, 8.02/8.022 dilemma (should I place out or retake). Since 8.012/8.022 is much more hardcore than AP physics, you might want to take those even if you got on 5 on AP physics. However, another strategy if you are fairly confident is to place out of 8.01/8.02, and take 8.09 /8.03/8.07, which will teach you new and very interesting material about classical mechanics and E&M, without the “hardcore problem-solving” involved in 8.012 and 8.022. My experience with 5.112 is that it raised more questions than it answered. Their approach is “We’ll use a bunch of Quantum Mechanics & Perturbation theory results without understanding it”. If you can place out of 5.111, and still want more chemistry experience (or you are scared of missing out), you should consider taking 5.03, which will answer many of the questions raised in 5.112.</p>

<p>Ironically, I would say 8.03, 8.07 and 8.09 are easier than 8.012 and 8.022 (despite being labelled upper level). That is because they de-emphasize problem solving and emphasize theory. So your exams will have a lot less time pressure. You might have to use more sophisticated math, but you won’t have to be as quick-witted.</p>

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<p>I’ll note that there is a distribution requirement as part of the HASS requirement, and am strictly talking about the 6 science core GIRs.</p>

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<p>Once you pass the Advanced Standing Exam, you get credit for the actual course.
So no, you don’t have to take a more advanced version.</p>

<p>However, check out the articles in the Tech on the pass rates for ASE’s:</p>

<p>[Advanced</a> Standing Exam results are typical - The Tech](<a href=“http://tech.mit.edu/V130/N35/advancedstanding.html]Advanced”>http://tech.mit.edu/V130/N35/advancedstanding.html)</p>

<p>Pass rates for the Chemistry and Biology exams tend to be quite low.</p>

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<p>Thanks guys!</p>

<p>Edit: Oh and LOL I’m a girl, but you probably had no way of telling haha.</p>

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<p>Also, I’ve noticed that you can still take placement tests after IAP of freshman year. Is it still pass/no record?</p>

<p>If not, and you get a C on the placement test, can you choose to take the course, so that the placement test C will just be removed from your record?</p>

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<p>Read through the policy on the registrar’s website; it pretty much answers all your questions.</p>

<p>[Grading</a> Policy for Advanced Standing Examinations: MIT Office of the Registrar](<a href=“Registration & Academics | MIT Registrar”>Registration & Academics | MIT Registrar)</p>

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<p>That was pretty obvious. Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of number theory that only a girl would pick a screen name that’s a number divisible by 3.</p>

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<p>I should have called myself mathboy[3^2] [2^3], looks nicer. Oh well.</p>

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<p>This of course varies depending on the person, but this seems like it would apply to someone already comfortable with the math. Someone who is quick-witted but doesn’t have the interest / energy absorbing whatever the requisite ‘mathematical language’ probably is better off doing the other option (which I assume is an ‘honors’ introduction to physics). </p>

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<p>Enlightening.</p>

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<p>I’d say take the credit and run. If they are going to let you place out of it, you are well prepared for future classes. Also, there is no GPA consideration whatsoever because the first semester is pass no record anyway. If you manage to skip a bunch of things, you can also take more exciting classes earlier. </p>

<p>I personally barely failed the bio ASE and had to take intro bio - not a lot of fun when you’ve seen most of it before. Now I’m a second semester freshman taking interesting and challenging bio courses and it makes me really happy.</p>