<p>Hey, how's everyone doing? A quick question for current Williams students. Just how hard are the placement tests administered during First Days? I'm mainly concerned with the Biology and Chemistry tests, especially after reading a post that of the 30 kids who took the former, only 3 were exempt from Bio 101! Is it really this hard?</p>
<p>The Biology test is notoriously hard, and only 10% people who take it pass. However, I think that it is justifiably so. It is possible to get a 5 on the AP test without understanding the connections between the themes covered in an AP Biology class. This is the main reason Williams wants its students to take its 101 class. I was one of the 3 people that happened to pass out of 101 this year, but the AP Bio teacher at my school is reknown for her class - she has an extremely high pass rate and there have only been a few students who haven't passed in the test in the number of years she's been teaching. Basically, upon coming to Williams, I've realized what a phenomenal class it was and how lucky I was to have her as a teacher. BTW, basically no one passes out of Bio 102 - the material covered in this course simply isn't taught in AP Bio. But, even if you don't pass out of Bio 101, it's not a bad thing. It's a really good intro class here, and even if you've had AP Bio, there will be plenty of new things that you'll learn (I myself feel a little behind in 102 having not taken 101). To switch subjects, the Chemistry test is easier, and also not as much of a big deal. Basically, there's no way to test out of the first semester of Chemistry. You'll take a placement test, and then after consulting with the Dep't Head, be placed into Chem 151, 153, or 155. 151 is for students who basically have little to no AP Chem background, 153 is those who did moderately well on the AP test (3-4) and 155 is generally made of people who got 5s or high 4s on the AP test. The only advantage to these different levels is that it matches the class to your level, so that you'll be challenged and spend time relearning concepts you already understand. The only advantage as far as placement goes is that those students who pass Chem 155 are able to place out of Chem 256, the intermediate physical chem course (and also the last course in the 4-course required sequence for Chem majors).
Hope I haven't bored you with too much detail and that this has helped answer your question. Let me know if I can help explain anything else.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply, it was definitely helpful. One of my biggest concerns with taking 101 was that it would be a repeat of the AP class; it's good to know that isn't the case. Although the course listing 06-07 hasn't been released yet, I'm trying to figure out which classes I want to take my first semester; I can already tell narrowing it down to four is going to be a problem!</p>
<p>I know what you mean: I started looking through the 05-06 course catalog to see what kind of courses I might take for the first semester, and my "shortlist" came down about 30!
Btw, does anyone know how strong you have to be in french to place out of 101-102? Also, one or two of the intro writing courses require you to take the english placement exam - what does that involve and how hard is it?</p>
<p>Fida, there is no actual english placement test at Williams. If you score a 5 on the AP Lit test, you <em>can</em> pass out of a 100-level english course and take any 200- or 300-level class.</p>
<p>I do not think it should be too difficult to pass out of French 101-102 if you have had three years of French, because any intro language course at Williams is roughly the equivalent to the first four years of language at high school, I have been told. And even if you do not place out of both 101 and 102, you can get into 102 in the spring without having taken 101. I know three people who did that this year, all freshman. I believe one did not even take the placement test, but spoke to the professors who placed her in French 102.</p>
<p>The chemistry placement test I remember was not difficult at all. I think anyone who scored lower than ~50% was placed into ordinary chemistry, chem 151, everyone who scored higher than ~70% had the option of taking Chemistry 155, which is just advanced inorganic chemistry. Whoever falls in between will most likely be placed into chemistry 153, although you and your chem profs have some level of discretion over placement. If you get into the highlest chemistry track and can withstand that tough course, you can avoid a difficult class (some type of organic chem maybe?) for the major and maybe pre-med requirements.</p>
<p>The physics placement test is slightly harder than AP Physics C; although it only covers mechanics. I got a 5 on both AP Physics C tests, a near perfect SAT II physics score, and by only a small margin was placed into the highest physics track.</p>
<p>The math placement test basically consisted of algebraic concepts and is only to make sure everyone has a basic understanding of math. If you happen to do poorly, do not sweat it, because that means that you are placed into an introductory math classes (some of which are light on the computational math and are more conceptual) with generally excellent profs.</p>
<p>If you are dissatisfied with any result from a test, you can always speak to professors and get permission to get into a class you want. I think placing out of Bio 101 (or of unreasonably high language classes compared to your experience and comfort level) might be the exception.</p>
<p>Oh, also, if you guys need any advise about chosing first semester classes, do not be afraid to ask via pm.</p>
<p>1.Is there any exam/test one should pass to get into Economics classes? (I am considering 110).
2.Does the inscription (F,S) mean that this is a full-year course, or just that it is offered both in F and in S?
3.I am looking for an interesting set of classes to fulfil the Div I requirement - judging from experience, which english/comparative lit-re/literary studies courses are worth trying? which of them are more/less time consuming, and which of those are most helpful for those willing to strengthen grammar(except the 150 one)?
4.Are FYS PARTICULARLY time demanding? about how many hours per day is spent on discussions outside classroom?
5. Is the PSCI 202 (World Politics) for beginners?</p>
<p>any info would be really appreciated! :)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>(F,S) means that it will be offered both in spring and fall (not a yearlong course)</p></li>
<li><p>202 doesn't have any prereqs and are open to all</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>You should pass the Quantitative test during First Days.(For 110)</li>
</ol>
<p>thank you,.. that's what I thought.. what about the 3rd question about Div1 requirement? What I did not like (better to say,did not understand) about Engl 100level courses, is that they are too focused, as if taken out of a context//</p>
<p>In regards to the Div. I requirements: you may want to consider introductory- level Art History (two semesters, fall and spring) to satisfy two of the three humanities classes required -- many students rave about the instructors, content, and overall positives gained from venturing into this, one of the (several) areas that Williams excels at and is renowned for.</p>