placement testing questions (chem 101, bio 101, math 104, etc)

<p>Hi- </p>

<p>I have the AP credits for a lot of classes, but I've heard that you still have to take a placement test during NSO for chem, math, bio. Is this right? </p>

<p>Does anyone have experience with how difficult these placement tests are or have any advice/example tests I could use to study from? For some of these AP classes, I haven't taken since sophomore year so it would be nice to know what topics to study. </p>

<p>Also, if I took AP Calc bc and got a 5, would I still have to take the math placement test? Also could you test out of a math class higher then calc bc by self studying for differential equations and test out of that class during NSO?</p>

<p>I'm just really confused about how the whole placement testing and ap scores works so if anyone has any suggestions/advice on what to study, etc, that would be much appreciated!!</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>PS. If i'm pre-med, would there be any difference in placing out of classes? I still haven't completely decided if I'm going to be pre-med or not but it's definitely a possibility</p>

<p>Also–are there any other classes besides chem, math, bio you would have to take a placement test during nso even if you have the ap credit? Assuming you have to take placement tests during nso for chem, bio, math even with the ap credit…that’s what i’ve heard</p>

<p>You don’t have to take a placement test for anything. If you got a 5 on BC Calc, you have credit for Math 104 and can directly take Math 114. You can take a placement test to place out of 114 if you want. Not required. They give a math diagnostic before NSO for your pre-major advisor to “recommend the best option.” It’s no big deal. The diagnostic itself is not a placement test (i.e. you can’t get credit from it). But, you can register for 114 and can get retroactive credit for 104 if you do well enough. I heard the Chem placement exams were pretty easy. The classes are likely much harder (e.g. I heard there wasn’t a lot of difficult quantum stuff on the placement exam but the actual class exams are a pain). However, it’ll probably a huge slap in the face to directly take Orgo first sem freshman year unless you’re a genius. Since you’re premed, it’ll be a better idea to just take 101 and 102 anyway for the MCAT. Just take the intro classes. The only people I know who placed out were engineers and people in duel degree programs (who aren’t premed fyi). </p>

<p>There are placement exams for languages if you’re interested/if you didn’t get a good enough score on the AP exams or SAT IIs.</p>

<p>TL;DR you have 104 credit so take 114, placement exams are optional you’ll prob be too hungover to take them anyway, and take all intro sci classes since you’re premed</p>

<p>Thanks for answering!</p>

<p>Is math 114 differential equations? I’m not super sure how the whole numbering system works. And does this mean the diagnostic test does not matter at all and the placement test is the only thing that matters? If I take the placement test for 114, I will get credit for 114 and 104, correct?</p>

<p>Also, does the placement tests override the placement exams for languages? I know if you score in a certain range on the online placement exam, you can either take the 104 class or take the placement test during NSO. If you bomb the placement test could you still take the 104 language class or would you have to take a lower level due to how badly you placed on the placement test.</p>

<p>So is it just the science classes that you would need to take placement tests for? And I’m a bit confused on the order of classes. Is bio 121 the intro bio class? And would you have to take a placement test for it even if you have the testing credit? Do you know what it tests a lot on/how difficult the placement test is?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>114 is multivariable (essentially calc 3 at other schools but for some reason calc 2 at Penn). Diagnostic doesn’t matter. It just helps your pre major advisor gauge which class you “should be in” but in the end it’s all up to you. The placement test matters if you want to place out of 114. If you take the placement test and get a high enough score, yes you’ll get credit for 114 (you already have 104 credit from AP calc). </p>

<p>Do more research into the language classes at Penn. There’s no 104, 114, etc in the languages. Look at the Spanish department’s page if you’re into Spanish or the French department’s page if you’re into French etc. It tells you what you need to know on the websites. Not sure if I understand you placement questions, but let’s say you got a 5 on AP Spanish so you’re eligible for Span 212 and you take the placement exam and bomb it… Yes you can still take 212. </p>

<p>Again, you don’t NEED to take ANY placement exam at all. Every single one of them is optional. If you want to place out of science classes, there is a variety of different exams that you have the option of taking. Getting a 5 on Chem and Bio basically get you a dummy credit on your transcript. They don’t get you out of taking the intro classes like they would at state schools. So, yes you would have to take the placement exams if you want to get out of taking the intro classes. But like I said, you’re premed so take the intro classes. Chem 101/102 offer a lot more information than does AP Chem, and you’ll need that extra info for the MCAT. Sure, the curve is rough for the intro classes, but I got a 5 on AP Chem and probably learned twice the amount of info in Chem 101/102. </p>

<p>Just look at these websites for guidance.</p>

<p>Language placement: <a href=“Language Placement | College of Arts & Sciences - University of Pennsylvania”>https://www.college.upenn.edu/language-placement&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>In general: <a href=“Placement | College of Arts & Sciences - University of Pennsylvania”>https://www.college.upenn.edu/placement&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Resource for pre-med: <a href=“http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/gradprof/healthprof/med.php”>http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/gradprof/healthprof/med.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Good luck with your first year. Don’t overestimate yourself.</p>

<p>If you really like chemistry, I would take the honors version Chem 115. It’s a much smaller class and the material is taught in a more thorough and interesting way. It is more difficult and most of the people who take the course are in Vagelos MLS, but you will learn a lot (and you shouldn’t be intimidated by the MLS students, most will drop the program by sophomore year).
I don’t know who the professor is this year but usually they are very good.
I know three friends who took orgo freshman year who all ended up doing very well. However they are all heavy science people (two doing PhDs and one an MD/PhD) who turned out to be among the smartest students I met at Penn. </p>