<p>How do schools way placement tests for placing students in classes for next year? Obviously, it's a strong indicator of where a student's at, but how do other factors (i.e. how long you've taken course, etc.) weigh?</p>
<p>Also, do schools make placement tests kind of hard? Harder than the average student has the ability to do well on???</p>
<p>I don't know about the former, but when I took the Andover maths and French test, it didn't seem like that. There were a few algebra problems that I'd completely forgotten how to do (I took it last year), but mostly it seemed like they were not especially hard. The French test did seem like you could go farther, since it could be used for many different levels (I've taken it for two years, and there were some sections I didn't do, since I didn't know how).</p>
<p>The French test was for all levels so it was very difficult, so I guess they were just seeing how far you could go, like J said. And the Math test was REALLY easy because they had different sections for the courses you'd studied, unlike French, so I just took the Algebra section.</p>
<p>The point of these tests isn't "doing well", they determine where you will be comfortable starting. Brush up on math and language basics, but son't study to try to do well.</p>
<p>I was kind of confused--there was basically no geometry on the placement test for Andover. Too bad, because my algebra is terrible. So does everyone in my geometry class. Our teacher said our grades would all go up by like five percent if we didn't loose so many points on our tests when we messed up with algebra skills. :D Do they only measure geometry readiness by grades and advice from teachers?</p>
<p>yes i agree olivia, the algebra test was extremely easy. although im pretty sure i messed up on one .. cause our textbook doesn't cover one thing.</p>
<p>hey prettyckitty, how did you find the placement test for maht for andover? i thought the precalculus trigonometry section was hard.</p>
<p>I know this goes without saying, but I'll remind everyone that each school is different. That said, here's one way to consider approaching the topic of BS placement.</p>
<p>First, ask yourself, what's your goal? Do you hope to focus on this subject and really move deep into this area of study? Or are you hoping to get the credits and decent enough grades for college? Hold on to that thought/answer.</p>
<p>Take the test or do whatever the school asks in terms of input. Give it your best shot, but don't try to prepare for topics you haven't yet covered at school...as you might do for the SSAT. Remember: you're already in. If they don't ask or have a test for a particular subject, you have to assume they're making some placement decisions based on transcripts and application material. So here's where you can get an edge: communicate!</p>
<p>If math is your passion, you don't want to be in the lowest level math section. But maybe you're not ready for the highest possible section. That's okay! Don't try to reach too far and undermine yourself. In a situation where you've decided that this is the thing you really love and want to explore to the fullest potential at your new BS, communicate that to the department head (or whoever makes the placement decision). Let them know what you've covered to date. Give them more information so they can make an intelligent placement decision. You want to be in the right level course, so don't sabotage yourself. But be sure to let them know that you want to be in a section that gets students prepared for bigger challenges...perhaps a faster paced intermediate section if the school has one.</p>
<p>If you're looking to mark time in a particular subject area, you should still try to do well enough to accurately reflect your ability and aptitude. Don't look at these tests/questionnaires as opportunities to dog it...like the final windsprints after practice when everyone tries to finish no better than the middle of the pack. Give it your best effort because one of the surefire ways to make BS suck is to land in a course where you are way overqualified and you find yourself bored and bogged down with assignments that are, for you, busy work. That sort of experience will carry over into other areas of your student life, including other academic subjects where you want to do well.</p>
<p>Trust the placement people -- but be sure they have the best possible idea of what you can do and what your goals are. The people at this school were brilliant enough to accept you, so allow them to continue to flaunt their brilliance by doing their jobs with complete and accurate information -- not misleadingly impressive or intentionally unimpressive datasets that will make them give you a placement that you will regret in a few months' time.</p>
<p>It is important to know that these placements are not set in stone, if you are placed in a class that is too easy/hard, that is usually spotted pretty quickly and adjustments will be made. That being said, if, after attending a class for a few days, you feel it is not the right "fit" -speak up!! Do not stay in a class hoping a)if the class is too easy- it will get more challenging or b)the class is too hard- you will somehow start to understand the material that others in the class seem to already know.
As D'yer as said, do as well as you can, and let the test reflect your true ablilty in the subject.</p>
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<p>I only wish I had said it so succinctly.</p>
<p>meleny--I have taken no Algebra II or Precalculus, so I didn't take the second section. I'm in Geometry presently. Two weeks and one day left. :):)</p>