<p>Should incoming undergrads be studying for the placement tests? I heard that I shouldn't because it will better give me a recommendation for where I should start first semester. I only ask because I haven't taken biology since freshman year and chemistry since sophomore year, and when ap students come up to ask me something I can't really help them anymore. And even though I took calc bc last year I am struggling to help students who ask me about series and complex integration. Any input would be great, especially from a current undergrad. Thanks!</p>
<p>If you cram before the placement test, Harvard might recommend you take a course that assumes your competency level is greater than it is, and you will be constantly playing ‘catch-up’ during the course. If you’re struggling to remember stuff from a year ago, then you would be better off taking the placement test WITHOUT studying and being placed in a lower level course.</p>
<p>@gibby, I’d say it’s a little more complicated than that. In the case of this poster, college5214, you may be correct, in that it seems that the poster may not have mastered the material the first time around. I know a fellow with an advanced degree in math who says math is learned best when “baked twice.” At least with the calculus, it appears that the poster is using it (or trying to use it) on an on-going basis when he or she is helping other students with their work, but is still struggling with it.</p>
<p>However, sometimes folks are just rusty. It’s been a while since they last did something, and they need a short while to get back up to speed. This happened to my son with Latin. He didn’t do well on the placement test going into his first semester. But he knew the material, he was just out of practice. He ignored their advice on which course to take, spent a few weeks reviewing old material, and went on his merry way.</p>
<p>The critical question is, did you once master this material, and could you quickly regain your proficiency, or did you never feel truly comfortable with it the first time around. If the former, then do a little cramming for the placement test and see how it goes. If the latter, then it may be better to not study the material intensely beforehand.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t study. You can generally judge from course syllabi whether they’re going to be above your level or not, so personally I never found my placement results particularly helpful for course selection. And they’re 0% binding, just fyi. </p>