<p>I hate tests. Really do. And the thought of doing a placement test right after dealing with the SAT horror is terrifying. I have a 4.0 all through out high school. Honor classes in all core classes AND had 38 credits. (Core Class= 1 credit Elective=.5), but I only got 400 on the math on the SAT!! So i'm freaking out about this placement test. What would a 400 translate to on the placement test? What happens if I get put into a basic class? Would I have to do a summer semester? Help me please!</p>
<p>I went to PSU a long time ago, but from what I hear, the placement tests might still be done the same way. I didn’t take any mathbsenior year of hs. So by the time I took the placement test, I had forgotten a lot. I did badly. They suggested a remedial course. But I knew I wasn’t that bad and took College Algebra, which was a college level class. I got a B, no problem. I think the test results are still suggestions, not mandatory. So if you know your classroom results are better than your placement test results, you could take the class you know you can handle.</p>
<p>Of course, if I’m wrong about how placement is done currently, someone please correct me.</p>
<p>So it’s basically a recommendation, not a requirement?</p>
<p>" I think the test results are still suggestions, not mandatory."</p>
<p>Are you sure about this ? I thought they looked at the SAT score plus the score from orientation…</p>
<p>I know they use the SAT writing score for English placement, but the math and chemistry tests are online placements.</p>
<p>Like I said, I’m not sure. I do remember someone talking about this subject last year on this forum and saying it was still a recommendation. Perhaps you could call someone in admissions to be sure?</p>
<p>Yeah I will definitely call them about it for sure. How do you think someone who scored 400 on the math SAT will place though? I really hate these test things :/</p>
<p>First STOP worrying so much about this. Look at the FTCAP material, review as much as you can and do your best on the placement tests. Talk to your advisor at FTCAP and go from there. If test anxiety is the issue and you can support your request with good grades in honors classes you should be able to work something out. Be prepared to have that conversation when you go for advising. Getting all worked up about this is not going to help. You do NOT want to get into classes you can’t do well in. </p>
<p>My son is a freshman this year. Last year the engineering advisors really pushed students to take the recommended courses in math, chemistry and english. Nothing stops you from going back later and changing to whatever class you want IF you meet the prereqs. The recommended classes are where they think you will have success. </p>
<p>Your math SAT score doesn’t tell us anything and is not used for placement. What math classes have you taken? If you google “PSU course catalog” you will find the University Bulletin which lists all classes with descriptions. What math class do you think you can do well in? What math does your major require? Did I read you are 16 years old, planning to be premed and you are a recruited athlete. You need excellent grades and you will likely be missing classes for your sport. Be careful with how much you push yourself particularly your first semester of college which can be an adjustment.</p>
<p>^^ best advice ever. Placement tests should be an accurate assessment of where you are, right now. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about — it’s a measurement, not an assessment. You are who you are, you know what you know. If you want to take a particular math class for a particular reason, you will be allowed to in most cases. That would include taking something “easier” regardless of what placement says, if it makes sense in the context of your major. Think of placement exams as more forms to fill out. </p>
<p>Unlike hs, where students can get focused on taking the “hardest” class, college is about taking the “right” class. My son, for example, FTCAP’d into a math level he was not confident about, so he took an easier class because he’s not in a sciences major. He FTCAP’d into an English level that he questioned, but ended up taking and was glad he hadn’t saddled himself with tons of extra work his very first semester, just to say he was taking something hard. Everyone worries about the chem placement test, but if you aren’t ever going to take chem again, who cares how you do? </p>
<p>PSUmom is absolutely right – take a breath :)</p>
<p>Thank you guys! 
I definitely feel better. For pre med they want you to take a super hard calculus class, but I just want to take College Algebra I. I really want to have an ‘‘easier’’ freshman year to get the hang of it, while still be competitive for medical school. I’m taking Pre- Calculus this year and I currently have a 99.58%. When I took chemistry junior year, I had a 98.73%. I don’t remember much of it though :/. So which these kind of classes and scores on the transcripts, I should have no problem requesting college algebra I and basic freshman chemistry if I do tank on the placements? If so I definitely feel better haha I’m one of those people who can write really good essays and get good grades, but when it comes to important tests that are timed, I tank. And when everyone does so well (like the SAT) and I do so bad on it I get so discouraged :(</p>