Thank You!
I’ll confirm that calc and chem are some of the most difficult classes at UConn. They are true “weed out” classes. My daughter (who tested into calc - the chem placement test is new this year), worked her butt off in both classes and told me that after the first chem exam, almost half of her class dropped the course. You’ll come out of the classes knowing your stuff (professor dependent to a point), but it is brutal getting there. My son, who is at orientation as I type, finished the chem placement test in about ten minutes. It was far easier than the calc placement test, in his opinion.
I should add my daughter was a STEM major and I would hazard a guess that the STEM programs could go up against almost any other similar program in the country in terms of rigor. And, the level of difficulty and required workload should not be a deterrent to any student pursuing a STEM degree. It pays off in the end.
A lot of people I know who took calculus ends up waiting until the last minute to do the homework. That’s very common and that’s one of the reasons why calculus 1 is one of the most failed classes out there along with organic chemistry sequence.
Yes, I did hear the drop out rate for calc and organic chem was the worst. I agree with the post above skimomof3 that you shouldn’t let the level of difficulty deter you from achieving a STEM degree which really will pay off in the end, but sometimes it does feel like a nightmare that’s never going to end for these students. I am stressed just listening to it!! and my son has only completed two years and it feels like forever. I certainly don’t want to rush time but another two years or more of this… WOW… and he never had to study for a test in high school and now, he is studying plenty that is for sure!!
I must say, reading all these reality based posts have me in near tears. I’m just praying my son gets a 17 on the MPE so he can get into preCalu. He hasn’t even taken his first Chemistry Placement Exam yet! When did school become such a nightmare!?
I hear you!! Not what I expected either…We take one day at a time and one test at a time. It really is all you can do.
Like the post said above about half the class dropping out from chemistry in her child’s class. After two weeks of my son’s chem class in freshman year, there were about 30 students in groups of 4 for lab work. When two weeks passed there were 7 students left. So yes they will weed you right out.
Very sad.
I might have missed it – what’s his major?
Right now, he has an interest in Forensic Science, but there is a great possibility that he will changes his mind. I hope the Aces program helps to steer him in the right direction.
Hi! I just took the MPE for the first time. Didn’t go so great. I recognized all the concepts in the questions but the actual problems were very difficult. I was wondering if someone could tell me if When I take it again will it be the same exam I just took or a different one? I hope it’s the same but that just doesn’t seem like it would be a thing
My son took the test for a second time. It is a different test. Good Luck!