<p>Wait, so I know that you have to take like an entrance test on certain subjects before you go to West Point, and can someone tell me specifically what subjects they are? So that I can study and prepare for them. And what courses am I taking in my plebe year? Thanks</p>
<p>I thought there were placement tests? Just like at any other university, students take tests to assure proper placement in English and math courses. Also, these tests place students in the proper level of foreign language.</p>
<p>Placement tests, not entrance tests.</p>
<p>Here's my current course load:</p>
<p>Validated Courses: HI103 , HI104 (Yeah, no history plebe year for me. Validate as much as you can so you can take more courses that focus on your elective in later semesters.)</p>
<p>2008 1 Semester
CH101 - Chem, just like high school
EN101 - English, mostly about rhetorical strategies and writing strong essays
EV203 - Dirt (Geography, but this is a Yuk course)
IT105 - Info Tech, web design and Java
MA103 - Math Modeling, where your answer is correct as long as you support your answer
MD101 - Your military grade, which is basically how good of a cadet you are
PE116 - Boxing, MAJ Terry is the man
RS101 - Some computer determined that I had to take this, which is basically just a class about improving your academics. I thought it was a huge waste of time, don't volunteer for it when they ask you if you want to take it in Beast.</p>
<p>2008 2 Semester
CH102 - Chem, again
EN102 - English, focused around Ben Franklin's autobiography and literature
MA104 - More calculus oriented
MD102 - Another cadet military grade
MS100 - Get taught the basics of being a LT by a senior NCO, pretty cool
PE117 - Military Movement, otherwise known as gymnastics
PE150 - Personal Fitness, mostly designing workouts and completing the CFC
PL100 - Psych, just like psych in high school
SS202 - American Politics, basic stuff about American government that you should know</p>
<p>That's just plebe year. As a yuk, cow, and firstie, you won't be laden with so many core courses, but you'll have more responsibilities, which makes it balance out in the end. The Dean explained to us that the first semester here is the hardest, and as time progresses your GPA will gradually increase as you start taking more courses focused on your major which, hopefully, you have a passion for.</p>
<p>Peteyflow:</p>
<p>The only tests required for admissions is SAT and/or ACT.</p>
<p>Once the new cadets (candidates that show up for R-Day) start CBT (Cadet Basic Training) (aka Beast), they are given tests to determine course placement and also the opportunity to "validate" out of a subject. From what I understand from my plebe, AP/IB test scores are not an automatic entrance into a class, but WP wants to see the results. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.) </p>
<p>You may also not want to validate out of too many classes. Your first semester could be a big adjustment and it may help to have a class or two that you're already solid in, so you'd have less study time in them.</p>
<p>Triggs - Is RS101 the class to learn/improve study and time management skills?</p>
<p>"You may also not want to validate out of too many classes. Your first semester could be a big adjustment and it may help to have a class or two that you're already solid in, so you'd have less study time in them."</p>
<p>The opposing view is to validate everything you can. While it makes for a tougher plebe year, it can make it easier when you get to the tough classes in your major and also have more leadership responsibilities as an upperclassman. There is no agreement on which route is better - it is a personal choice cadets need to make.</p>
<p>where is this conversation going to? I just asked about the test, not about anything you guys are talking about. Don't you need to take certain test at West Point to find out what classes you will be taking in your plebe year, whether it's honors or regular class?</p>
<p>
<p>Answering your question, as the above 4 posts did.</p>
<p> [quote=peteyflow] I just asked about the test, not about anything you guys are talking about.
</p>
<p>"The Test?" What are YOU taking about? :confused:</p>
<p>All four posts above specifically explained that the tests you take are PLACEMENT tests that PLACE YOU at a certain course level, and may allow you to validate (skip over) some lower level courses. EXACTLY what you asked!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>See all the above posts, they all answered your question the first time you asked it. Triggs even gave an example of his plebe course load, also answering your question in the OP.</p>
<p>Drug and alcohol tests are also administered as well. </p>
<p>:cool:</p>
<p>peteyflow, you asked:</p>
<p>"Don't you need to take certain test at West Point to find out what classes you will be taking in your plebe year, whether it's honors or regular class?"</p>
<p>Here is a link that explains how West Point uses validation exams (given early in Beast) and your academic history, including any AP Exam scores, to place you on the proper level courses: <a href="http://www.dean.usma.edu/AP/%5B/url%5D">http://www.dean.usma.edu/AP/</a> </p>
<p>There are different levels of the same core courses, for example, in IT, Math, Chem, & Physics. Check out the Math core courses in the following link and read about Math 104 & 153 - same course, different "levels". <a href="http://www.dean.usma.edu/departments/math/courses/core/default.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.dean.usma.edu/departments/math/courses/core/default.htm</a></p>
<p>Explore the academic departments at <a href="http://www.dean.usma.edu/departments/%5B/url%5D">http://www.dean.usma.edu/departments/</a>
and you will get a better idea of what you will be studying at West Point and how you are placed in the courses in the different departments.</p>
<p>I admire you for looking ahead and planning your academic preparation for West Point. You will be getting the most out of your experience there. The academic opportunities are amazing for every cadet, whether they validate a few courses or not.</p>
<p>Thanks for the referenced links, usservicemom! It appears that USMA is just like any other college regarding academic course level placement using placement tests. What a relief! I have had horrible visions of my candidate being thrown into upper level math that he was totally unprepared for and I know first hand what those "weeder" courses at large state universities are like!! This gives me some hope that he will start at least on a similar level to where he left off in high school.</p>
<p>A placement test question: if a cadet scores high enough to be placed in an honors level but not high enough to validate out, do they have the option to ask to be placed in a regular level course instead, or is it to their advantage (other than perhaps not being challenged, yet for some reason I don't see this as an issue at a service academy :)) to stay with the upper level as far as finishing those core requirements sooner? Since that was probably clear as mud, would they take fewer classes in that subject by taking the honors level, or just be more challenged academically by taking them?</p>
<p>Anonogron: A few quick thoughts on the differences between WP and "regular colleges".</p>
<p>USMA does not have "weeder courses". They have a vested interest in seeing cadets succeed and will do everything in their power to make sure they do (of course the cadet has to do their part too...). They try hard to place cadets appropriately, and will move them during the early part of the semester if the prof. feels that the cadet is inappropriately placed.</p>
<p>Although cadets can validate courses they are not given credit hours for them - other courses are usually taken in their place. I know that History is one subject that one can validate out of completely. (I'm sure a cadet will post if there are others). In this case plebes usually take "Dirt" (see post #3, a Yuk Geography class). This does free the cadet to take other courses down the line.</p>
<p>For math placement this link talks a bout the Fundamental Concepts Exam:
<a href="http://www.dean.usma.edu/departments/math/courses/ma103/ProspectiveStudents/CandidateWeb.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.dean.usma.edu/departments/math/courses/ma103/ProspectiveStudents/CandidateWeb.htm</a></p>
<p>thanks for all the help.</p>