Validation Tests

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>For you current mids, I've just got a few questions on the validation tests:</p>

<p>When in the summer do we take them?
What was your take on them? (length, difficulty, etc.)
Did you study at all for them?</p>

<p>I intend to test out of chemistry completely. After an AP course followed by a year of college, I think I could manage to do so.</p>

<p>I also want to get rid of some calculus, which I know I can do.</p>

<p>Did any of ya'll take either of those tests? If so, how'd you do and what'd you think?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I was looking at the Chem test, too. According to the CABS site, which lists the info covered in first and second semester, it sounds like first semester is TOTALLY covered in AP Chem, but I'm not sure about "metallurgy" and "corrosion" for second semester...have to ask my Chem teacher tomorrow.</p>

3

<p>Yeah...I haven't been given access to CABS yet. I talked to my RD and she said they were just clearing my acceptance stuff today, so it should be soon.</p>

4

<p>1] Quickly. First week or two as I recall.
2] As difficult as any of the AP tests, etc.
3] No. No time.
4] You may want to put your expectations in perspective. Only about 25 plebes, out of 1150, tested completely out of Chemistry. Keep your expectations realistic.</p>

5

<p>What is CABS, and how do I get to it?</p>

6

<p>So do you think using one of those AP test prep books would be useful in preparing for the test?</p>

7

<p>i took honors chem in hs and got an A. the exam was like a slap in the face. i had a classmate who was positive he was going to test out of it. he'd taken ap chem in hs and chem at naps. he didn't even test out of chem I. not saying it can't be done, and your chances are better than most. my advice: if you are at all verbally gifted you should try and do well on the english test: i validated out of the first semester and the validator's class of second semester english was wicked fun. for all you engineering types its good to get it out of the way. basically, try your best on all of the tests. it'll help you out.</p>

8

<p>I have to agree with Wheelah. Validating Chemistry is a bear.</p>

<p>What happened to me was that I tried to validate, and simply ended up in hi-track Chemistry, which was insanely difficult. I don't know if they do that, still, but looking back, it would have been better if I'd simply taken what they were offering normally.</p>

9

<p>CABS is part of your CIS, your Candidate file that has been at USNA ever since you got into their system....I watched my daughter last night open up that CIS page and then click around, use her candidate number and jump right into that CABS site, which has a ton of work online for the appointment-accepted candidates for the class so 2010</p>

10

<p>From what I understand though, you have the choice of doing the hi-track or regular class, correct? Assuming you score well enough to do so on the test, that is.</p>

11

<p>I have some validation questions too...
What does it mean to completely test out of Chemistry? Is that College General Chemistry 1, 2, 3? And also, if you completely test out of chemistry, do you have any choice as to which course you want to replace that course with?
Also, for college students, are there any courses that we are placed higher simply based on completion and grades we received from certain courses? For example, I will have 5 semesters of college-level French and advanced Economics courses. I was wondering if I wanted to continue French and Econ, I'd have to re-take the basic courses if I don't take the validation tests well.
And last question. In which subjects do we take validation tests in? I got a lot of 4s in exams that Naval Academy probably won't accept because they only take 5s but I want to study before plebe summer and take the placement exams and test out.</p>

12

<p>Yeah, I've never heard of anyone validating based on college grades unfortunately. You can find the page somewhere on the USNA site concerning the tests you'll be allowed to take.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.usna.edu/acdean/candidateinfo/validation.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usna.edu/acdean/candidateinfo/validation.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

13

<p>Crap...on the website, it says AP score of 5 validates European History and US Government but no test is administered during plebe summer. I got 4 on both of them couple years back and didn't sign up to take APs this year. BIG BIG mistake...</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
From what I understand though, you have the choice of doing the hi-track or regular class, correct? Assuming you score well enough to do so on the test, that is.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I don't remember having a choice. I just remember taking the exam, not validating, and then being hosed with that "chemistry" that looked more like damned physics! :mad:</p>

15

<p>
[quote]
What does it mean to completely test out of Chemistry?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>If you validate a course, then you don't have to take it, which means you either leave the slot blank (which won't happpen Plebe Year), or you take the next class in line. So if you validate Chem I, you'll begin with Chem II. If you are able to validate three semesters of calculus, then you'll begin with Differential Equations. Etc.</p>

<p>
[quote]
And also, if you completely test out of chemistry, do you have any choice as to which course you want to replace that course with?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>IIRC, you don't have many choices until you start checking requirements off the curriculum of your major. I wasn't able to do any significant substitutions by choice until 2/C year, but this also depends upon your major and how many courses you validate.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Also, for college students, are there any courses that we are placed higher simply based on completion and grades we received from certain courses? For example, I will have 5 semesters of college-level French and advanced Economics courses. I was wondering if I wanted to continue French and Econ, I'd have to re-take the basic courses if I don't take the validation tests well.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The link posted above answers most of this.</p>

<p>
[quote]
And last question. In which subjects do we take validation tests in? I got a lot of 4s in exams that Naval Academy probably won't accept because they only take 5s but I want to study before plebe summer and take the placement exams and test out.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Again, see the link above.</p>

<p>I'm not sure I'd be worrying too much about validations. Sure, doing some review will be fine, but remember that you'll be going through at least five weeks of hell before you get the chance, so you may not retain as much as you might think. If you feel better about it, then by alll means do it, but I wouldn't make it a high priority. You'd be better off exercising or just getting your head into the game for what's coming your way.</p>

16

<p>If you have taken a foreign language in HS, definitely try and validate. My Mid finished language with his AP course in his junior year and validated 4 semesters of French and that was with only 3 on his AP exam. Validating calculus is definitely a possibility but the chemistry is much tougher and moving ahead can be a real negative, especially in the first semester of your Plebe year. That is a tough adjustment period and dealing with a higher level of chemistry is a challenge for even the brightest of students. From what I heard, try all the validation exams that you can as it is some quiet time away from all the cadre. I even heard that Plebes put their heads down and took a nap during some exams. :)</p>

17

<p>I'm still not used to the term "cadre" being tossed around. We never had it. They were just "The Detail".</p>

18

<p>just a reminder: you'll be taking the exams very soon after you begin plebe summer, in the first week or two.</p>

19

<p>Ah! So they do it that early now?</p>

<p>Wow. We did it the week before the Brigade got back. Who'dathunk they'd be doing THAT so early?</p>

<p>Thanks, Wheelah.</p>

20

<p>Guess they want to catch them before their brains get mussy from exhaustion! ;)</p>

<p>I'm with you on the cadre, I heard Sierra using the term the other day and had to inquire. </p>

<p>I don't know Z, we must be showing our age! :D</p>