<p>ok, so I know to attend summer registration early to get a good course schedule. How early is early enough? I will be in engineering for computer science.</p>
<p>The earlier the better. Also, if you want football tickets in the Block I, the earlier you get there the better off you are. Those will probably sell out by July.</p>
<p>will mid june work? I could go earlier but want some time to wind down after graduation and do the “homework.”</p>
<p>To those who have been through summer registration, how big a deal is this “homework” testing that must be completed before you go? Any input? Also, do you leave the registration with your schedule complete? Does it usually go all the way until 5:00?</p>
<p>I don’t even know what the “homework” you all speak of is. I don’t think I did anything leading up to when I went to the summer registration. If I remember correctly, you do leave with your schedule complete though.</p>
<p>Maybe it is new this year. The “homework” is online testing for Math etc. Whatever testing is required for your college you are instructed to complete it online one week prior to coming to registration so they can have the results and properly place you in the classes. I don’t think it will be too heavy duty.</p>
<p>Oh, maybe I didn’t have to do it because of AP tests or something that I took in high school. Or maybe the engineering department doesn’t do that since that is where I am. Or maybe (probably) it is new like you said. Haha</p>
<p>Rules keep changing as to placement exams. Beginning this year everyone has to take a math placement exam unless you have placement credit (AP or IB) for Calculus I (or better). Its an ALEKS test and you can look that up on line. It tests potentially anything pre-calculus. Can’t tell you exactly what is going to be on it but you can purchase prep materials. Its individually keyed – what your next question will be will depend on whether you get a question correct or incorrect – get a hard one wrong and it keeps giving easier and easier until you get one correct and then starts going the other way; in other words it is geared to determine your ultimate level of math proficiency and then its result determines which math level you can begin in at college. Note, there was controversy concerning whether the school should adopt the math ALEKS test but the test lovers won out.</p>
<p>The other placement tests, chemistry and language have been around a long time but only last year went to on-line testing (and not all languages are on-line). Before then you took them if needed when you show up for the summer orientation (still true for some language exams). These are basically fairly short tests (less than an hour each) created by the university to determine placement in Chemistry or language. For language you have to take it if you are going to take language in college. If you have taken four years of one language in high school you do not need to take the exam for most majors (three years is enough for some such as engineering) because you will not be required to take language in college. If you do not have those minimums, you must take the placement exam because you will be required to complete some language in college.</p>
<p>Chemistry also used to go to a limited group but it keeps expanding, essentially anyone in engineering or sciences needs to take it and now anyone in the Division of General Studies (which is mainly the “undecided” major).</p>
<p>Sounds a lot like the way the GRE works. I don’t know hwat I would think about preparing too much for a placement exam though, because if you cause yourself to score artificially high, you might get into a higher class, but struggle mightily since you just crammed for the placement exam. Of course that might not happen either.</p>
<p>Hi, drusba,</p>
<p>If I’v already got an AP Calculus AB with a score of 5, then I am exempt from taking the Math placement test, right? </p>
<p>Thanks, </p>
<p>John</p>
<p>No, I was mistaken above, they are requiring all to take regardless of whether you have AP. You can take it as many times as you want in an attempt to score higher if desired and highest score is what counts (that applies only to the math test, others you just take once).</p>
<p>A tip for some - my son, a freshman UIUC ECE, got a 5 AP Calc BC his HS junior year, went on to take MVC his HS seniior year and STILL had to take the math placement test last year,</p>
<p>Also - he was notified waaaay late (a week before classes started) that he was eligible for honors math but it wasn’t possible to change his schedule at that late date. It is really too bad that he couldn’t take advantage or that his ‘adviser’ didn’t mention he was eligible during June registration as his first math class at UIUC was absolutely abysmal. Also disappointing as we had actually contacted the math department about placement and not a word was mentioned about this. (This is no way detracts from UIUC overall - he really loves it!) </p>
<p>My point here is that if you got a 5 on the AP Calc exam (don’t know if this applies to AB) or have other advanced math it might be possible you would qualify for honors math - ask at registration. I wish we had been given this tip. Oh well. Hope it helps someone else.</p>
<p>What adbantage does taking an honors math class get you? Better professors? Does it change your GPA or is it just to get the better teachers?
There is also a theory that you should not take the AP credit for Calc so that you don’t get too far ahead of yourself and get a good base for Calculus since it builds throughout college. It is like how you need a good base in Algebra to succeed in high school you need a good base in Calculus to succeed in future Math classes in college. Now if you got a 5 on the test I would say you mastered it…but if you got a 3 or 4 maybe taking the second level of calculus may not be a bad idea…just a thought</p>
<p>Excellent point roxy08 - building a skill or even a do - over is better especially when adjusting to a new situation such as going away to college. This advise is only for that few people who have gone through calculus III and beyond - that UIUC does offer an honors option which was never mentioned to us before or during registration and could be a nice thing for someone to know about. </p>
<p>As for registration - my two cents is to do the homework early and register as early as possible.</p>
<p>SimpleRules,
I have a senior currently Linear Algebra. He scored a 5 on the AP Calc BC test. If I understand what you are telling this novice is, he will have to take the math test as homework. This should be done early so the score will be reported to the advisor for his very early June registration date. If honors is not mentioned, then he should bring it up. I am assuming the level of math would be MVC again. Does it matter if it is honors or not? Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Pretty much if u do the homework now the less of a headache it is when you start classes. They check if u did the homework when you go to registation. The questions they ask are more for the advisors to have on file when they talk to you.</p>
<p>Allies - Yes, last year and it sounds like this year as well your son would take the math placement test irregardless of level. They told me last year that it helped them also with some research they were conducting. </p>
<p>I cannot say for sure that bringing up the possibility of honors math will guarantee your son a spot in an honors class BUT I would certainly bring up the fact that he has a 5 on AP Calc BC already and DO bring the official copy of that score with you to registration. Perhaps with some prior knowledge a call to the math department would help. The letter my son received said that because he had scored a 5 etc. etc. he could take honors - so I would assume that your son would get that letter too. The problem was with the timing. As I said it was too late to change core courses in his schedule. His class was a repeat of MVC with very little new material thrown in - but I gathered the honors class would perhaps cover some new material, though it was essentially the same level. Though it sounds like a complaint about the math class the experience was really was more of a moderate irritation, my son absolutely loves UIUC and the ECE department and couldn’t be happier.</p>