<p>If you place out of a class (say Ph 1a), does that mean you have to take one less physics credit as part of the core, or do you still take 5 terms but just get a chance to go deeper?</p>
<p>Also, when are placement tests? I'm out of the country ALL of June!!!</p>
<p>I think with physics you just get credit. Chemistry, you have to take another chem class in its place. I dunno about math.</p>
<p>With phys you just do not have to take that class, credit is not awarded. With Chem, if you pass out of Ch1ab, you have to take 41ab or 21ab (the first two terms of organic chemistry of physical chemistry) instead. If you pass out of math, you are not required to take the course, but do not get credit. Passing out of any/all of core may give you the chance to go deeper, since you are exempted from requirements, but (at least in Ph and Ma) you are not required to do so.</p>
<p>In that case I rather think it’s good not to pass out of those courses. Starting from scratch and understanding basics thoroughly would be great. :D</p>
<p>I see. So passing the Ph 1a exam for example would mean that you have the option of skipping the class and only taking 4 terms of physics correct?</p>
<p>Right, but you wouldn’t get “credit” in the sense that you still need the required 486 units of courses taken at Caltech to graduate.</p>
<p>Okay thanks!</p>
<p>@lordofnarf
what’s the deepest level of physics, chemistry, and math offered at caltech and do many people reach that level?</p>
<p>i assume many students at caltech want to advance as much as possible, but i would like to know the benefits to skipping the introductory courses, especially since they’re caltech intro classes.</p>