My son won’t have his AP scores until July. So, he might place out of the General Education courses for some…might not. We want to be sure that he has the prerequisites for the the General Math and Chemistry Class, done though. So, looking to take the Math and Chemistry Placement tests.
Found some info on Chemistry (he’s only had honors and it was a year ago), any tips for quick studying (has 5 AP exams coming up, final projects, classes and a few competitions in the next few weeks) won’t have hours to devote. Would be greatly appreciated!
The Math Placement we found very little information. So, again any help, tips, etc…would be awesome.
He’s had 4 years of Honors Latin with all A’s. Believe for Engineering College, that fulfills the Foreign Language requirement.
For English he makes a self assessment, which he’s going to do with his AP English instuctor (he’s incredible).
I think those are the only ones…
Don’t overthink these placement test. I assume you have read through -
https://newstudents.dasa.ncsu.edu/firstyear/placement/
I can comment on the math / chemistry exams - the purpose is to determine if a student is ready to take a first course in the subject. I’ve got two kids there now, and both commented how straight forward they are. More of a measure of fundamental concepts than a demonstrated mastery.
The entire point of these tests are you are not supposed to study. Its a placement test. I began to study for the chem through the resources they have linked on their site as a moodle and it was very elementary stuff. Spoke to a peer who has taken math and if your son has taken Pre-calc or any form of Calc he will be fine. Latin is weird at state and foreign language placement is even weirder. You don’t exactly place out from foreign language without AP Latin although I am not 100% sure on that, He should contact them directly about this.
The chemistry placement and math placement tests do not get you credit. He really should not be worried about those.
As for English (Technically writing placement for an English class) it is based off of TEST SCORES NOT SELF ASSESSMENT. Can’t figure out how to bold but that can not be stressed enough. Here is the writing placement site. For whatever reason I know multiple people who think that is a self assessment based system. I have contacted the English department directly and confirmed this is based on test scores.
https://english.chass.ncsu.edu/undergraduate/first_year_writing/fy_writing_placement.php
I understand you are a proud parent but part of the college experience is figuring out the world in front of you. Everyone is busy around this time of year, especially if you are a senior. My parents have told me the happiest they have ever been is seeing me go through this entire process without so much as mentioning an issue to them. Let your student take the reign on some of these things. The key thing is sending in AP Scores if he has not already. Also if he is in the honors college be on the lookout for early registration. I got in and already have my teachers and specific classes picked out so I can maximize times and take what teachers are easier on grading.
-Fellow Member of the NCSU Class of 2022
@NCSUThomas unfortunately Most (5) of his AP exams are coming up. Scores released in July, so we can’t wait for those…and that’s ok. He doesn’t want to place out of first year classes, especially those having to do with his major. He took them out of interest and not college credit. A few if he scores well enough, will give him credit for additional classes, that he doesn’t need. Would be nice to have his AP Calc score if only to not need the placement exam. Regardless of his score he intends to take Calc I.
English according to The website to go into English 101, is self assessment. However, instructors may bump you down to English 100 in the first week. AP scores are needed if you want to place out of English 101.
Foreign Language has different guidelines according to major. For Engineering College you need two years of high school foreign language with a ‘C’ or better, based on their site.
He’s not really worried about the math placement, so much as he likes to know what to expect. He’s had AP Calculus AB and passed with an ‘A’ as well as tutors others in math. He should be fine.
Chemistry worries him, because he had to take it as an online course over the summer a year ago. He recieved an ‘A’ and at the time he felt it was fairly easy and worries he may not have gotten as much out of that course as he should have.
Unfortunately, he was waitlisted for honors. Still hoping a spot will open up, for him.
If he was 100% going with NC State, he’d probably have taken the placement exams already and be picking out his classes/teachers Though most of first year is decided by the Computer Science Department and they pick out all of the 1st semester classes. However, he’s still deciding. Honors Program or Engineering Village, probably would have locked in NC State for him (still hoping Honors will happen, haven’t heard back on Engineering Village), he loves both programs. Since he hasn’t heard he’s in and may not get in…he’s still torn on which school will be his best fit.
I mean your English 100 vs 101 is such a tiny difference. The key is placing out of the class as 4 credit hours is more than a quarter of your semester. And yes, engineers have been recommended in the past to not place out of Calc 1 as a lot of Engineers have a rough time with the jump from high school calc where you can have an incredibly easy class or incredibly hard and you will never know the difference vs college where when you get into high level math it is completely different than anything he has ever seen before in difficulty and in what is done. Students are much more likely to place out of English via SAT/ACT than an AP exam just due to having have a 5 it seems.The chemistry exam is very easy, he should not worry.
As for Honors College/Village vs Engineering Village, obviously the honors program is a much better resume builder, early registration, research funding, honors class, dorms (although an extra 100 step walk), etc while engineering village doesn’t offer much in comparison. I texted around 5 of the dozens of kids from my school who also got in and although if you get into Honors, you likely got into a much better university, all 5 planned on going to state and 2 of those kids turned down Ivy’s. Engineering seemed to have almost filled up the day housing opened in February. It depends on his spot on the honors wait list but there is a chance as many of us/them have a lot of choices to make over the coming weeks. Honors acceptance mostly is dependent on your essays and how well they will make use of the honors resources as it obviously is a lot. The honors program is changing up over the next year and when I was told about it I was told to stay hush because it had not been confirmed (from an upper class student back in February). I don’t know how much I can say but Honors kids also would be getting opportunities through the scholars program as they can take a Scholars Seminar and through that get access to the trips and speaking and stuff like that. All I would say is it is going to be a much bigger deal than initially seemed. The reason I say this is if he gets into the honors program this without a doubt should be where he is coming.
I hope I was able to help you and your son out, if you have any other questions, let me know.
@NCSUThomas I “think” he’s going to end up at State…hard to say. If he’d gotten into Honors instead of waitlisted, I’m certain he would have made the commitment. Now I think he’s just weighing all options and seeing if other offers come in. Had an unexpected last minute merit scholarship for Wake Forest, that almost swayed him. Hard to turn down a near full scholarship. In the end the program just doesn’t match what he can get elsewhere. Most likely, he wouldn’t know if he gets off of the wait list until after May 1st for Honors. So, that needs to not be a consideration at this point. We’ll continue to gather more information over the next week or two and see what his gut tells him.
Congratulations on getting into the Honors Program! It truly sounds amazing 
As far as placing out of English 101…He’s always had A’s in everything through all of his different schools and programs. However, he wants to “see” what they are looking for at the college he ends up at. He will have enough other credits outside of Math and English that he should be able to Coda after 1st semester sophmore year. 100% agreed that he does not want to go straight into Calc II. He’s been adamant about that. What you’ve said and he believes is true, you don’t know how it will be there at State, compared to the Calculus you’ve taken prior. I expect he won’t have a hard time, as it’s always been his best subject. But, you never know.
Such an exciting time, to see all of the choices and opportunities available to all of you! It’s fantastic to see everyone’s hard work, pay off
@ParentOf2022 - My son completed his AP Calc AB/BC as a Junior, and has a 5- he’s submitted the score with his application. And he was still asked to take the Math placement! I think they want everyone to take it, regardless of the AP scores.
@Essel Wow, Really? Looking at Coda, it looks as though if my son gets a 4 (exams in May) & we send it, it would count as B when figuring his gpa. Almost tempted to see if he wants to skip the AP for Calc and English…says he doesn’t want to place out of them, even if he can. Based on what I read, he won’t want to start college with a ‘B’ on the record. We’ll have to hold scores and then send the 5’s only. If he gets a ‘B’ he’ll want to have earned it with them.
How do we find info about placement tests? I’m guessing he needs them for Spanish and Math. Do they take during orientation?
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@chb088 , @ParentOf2022 - The placements need to be taken before May 15th or 21st. If you’re looking at Summer session, before April 22. They sent my son a link to the info, which has a link to the test itself. I’m not sure if they have to take Spanish, but he’s LSFY, and he was asked to take Chem and Math. He spoke to the counselor and mentioned that he already has a 5 in Calc BC, but the scores will not be formally sent until July, and they want a general idea before then.
Thank you! We received no such email. The joys of a giant State University!
@chb088 if you follow the email for summer sessions, it has links and information for the placement tests.
Oh we aren’t doing Summer sessions so we deleted those emails. Wondering if that same deadline applies? And who to contact for info now that we don’t have it?
@chb088 have you committed to the school and put down a deposit? My son is still undecided. Leaning State, but still torn. I would think after commitment a new email will be sent out with the info needed. But, give me a minute and I’ll see if I can figure out how to add the link here.
https://newstudents.dasa.ncsu.edu/firstyear/placement/
Hopefully that works for you.
Yes, he has accepted his spot for Fall 18. He’s got a roommate lined up. And we’ve registered for orientation. I found an email for New Students in there, so I guess we just need to email and ask.
@chb088 The link I posted earlier has links to the exams contained in the description of each exam.
https://newstudents.dasa.ncsu.edu/firstyear/placement/ (edit - looks like someone else posted the link while I was typing)
Now for my own question - has anyone been through the process of placement for ENG 101? Based the placement chart, it looks like a student can get credit for that based on SAT/ACT scores. A welcome surprise in my house if it works out that way.
https://english.chass.ncsu.edu/undergraduate/first_year_writing/fy_writing_placement.php
Thank you both! Looks like math online before 5/21 and Spanish during Orientation in June!