<p>A couple questions concerning the validation tests this summer. First of, how hard are they and how well do you need to do? I took calc 2 years ago and ap chem 1 year ago, will i stand a chance if i don’t do some extra studying? The other thing is whether its smart to validate. With everything going on during the first year is it a bad thing to retake a class like calc? Does life become even more miserable if you test out of say calc, chem, and phys?</p>
<p>Thanks for the heads up, that answers some of my questions...</p>
<p>Still some interest in the difficulty of these tests. Multiple choice? free response? Calculator? (i mean, do i need to go back and review taylor series and that stuff)</p>
<p>Some highlights of my very STRONG feelings.</p>
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<p>Also, the honors classes are a lot of fun. My physics 110h class made trebuchets. My physics 215h teacher last semester explained so many things like LCDs, high performance speakers, and a huge list of things based on the concepts. The semester before me built magneto hydrodynamic drives and raced mini boats with them (which would travel at 20cm/sec). Can't do that in regular classes. Also, the grading curve in honors was based on the regular class. So, the top 2/3s of honors physics got A's and the rest got Bs (30 people). The top twelve? (ten for sure) validated the exam which was nice.</p>
<p>Here's what I validated at USAFA if anyone has specific questions:
Calc 1 and 2 (5 on AP calc BC)
Two semesters of chemistry (5 on AP chem)
Japanese 131/132
Biology 215 (5 on AP Bio)
English 111 (3 on Lang and 4 on lit)
Computer Science 210 (while not involved in the validation, 5 on AP comp sci AB)
Unarmed Combat I and II (tentatively)</p>
<p>And with these came these classes:
honors advanced calc 3
honors physics 110 and 215
honors comp sci 110
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<p>singaporemom- I have played volleyball as an intermural (Spring 4 dig year) and would have this year had I not been rudely told to do cross-country instead....They also offer it as a PE class. I don't know about a club though.</p>
<p>For validating. I will qualify, I did go to a very difficult high school. I can say that in truth. As in over 95% go to college, valedictorian at Harvard, other top ten peeps at other Ivies, and just about every AP course was offered there. The norm on the AP exams were above a 3. I had an easier time as a freshman here at USAFA than I had during high school. Including an average of 2-3 hours more sleep a night despite being a 4 dig. I still feel less stressed academically (and overall most of the time) here than in high school. So, yes, validating may not be the best for everyone, but hear me out:</p>
<p>You can drop back down a level if you think you won't be able to handle it. You get into Calc 3 and in a few lessons you are already drowning, so you drop back down to calc 2; can't go the other way. However, you can drop calc 3 at ANY time, including lesson 39 of 40 and it will be erased from your record. You can then retake it (if your major requires) or flat out not take it if you major does not. Chem 222 which is the class you take if you validate the first 2 semesters of chem counts as a whopping 9 credits (because it also includes the two semesters you just validated), but only chemistry majors are actually required to take it. raimius will tell you it is not easy, and if you are not chemistry inclined, it is indeed harder (not as hard as core in my opinion based on the material I saw classmates doing). But, I believe it is also droppable, albeit it must be done earlier.</p>
<p>However, I absolutely, without a DOUBT recommend validating English 111, Bio 215, computer science, and physics as they have no class you must take after completing them. (English 211 is sufficiently different from 111 to warrant saying this).</p>
<p>This is one of my biggest things for future cadets, so if you need ANY clarification, keep asking. More people NEED and SHOULD be educated on these topics.
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<p>I know so many people are coming on here and think that not validating will lead to an easy A, that is NOT an accurate thought. Freshman chem and calc are the PRIMARY reason 4 digs and 3 digs are on academic probation. Remember, MOST of these people came in with AP chem and calc under their belts, and so many still ended up on probation or doing very worse than they thought. I won't point out people, and won't expect them to identify themselves, but some CCers on here on on ac pro or not doing as well as they thought despite the credentials that most CCers have! PEOPLE, I REALLY AND TRULY FEEL STRONGER AND MORE SURE ON THIS THAN ANYTHING ELSE I CAN PROVIDE FEEDBACK HERE ON CC.</p>
<p>Also, validating will not mean you are stuck in classes with upperclassmen. I took calc 3 and chem 222 with fellow freshman. We all knew each other and it was easy to find help among us when we needed it.</p>
<p>It also says something to me when my old room mates would curse their decision not to attempt to validate and go to advanced classes as they compared what I had to do to what they had to do. Even cadets here wished they would have tried to advance quicker.
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<p>Quote:
Originally Posted by bulletandpima
So you are suggesting that if you get a 4/5 on AP you should validate and go one level higher? Out of curiosity, why are they having problems if they took AP and passed?
IRONICALLY, it is for the reason you stated above. The time needed to do well in those classes is not readily available to a 4 dig, unless you are REALLY good at time management, which most are not (I learned once I got here).</p>
<p>The head guy for UC told me when I had him for physical development that I should validate both with my credentials (again, hoping he lives up to his statement).</p>
<p>I am a 3rd degree blackbelt, 2x state champ, ranked 6th in world, won a national competition in Orlando (not national title per se, but at the nationals competition [singaporemom might kill me for not qualifying that ]). Been doing TKD since 1998.
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Biology 215 (AP bio)
Physics 110/215 (AP Physics C, both exams respectively)
Not sure on this, but I think they might (check the site):
Economics (macro and micro i believe)</p>
<p>Require a validation test here (chem requires test and AP test):
Chemistry
Calculus one and two
Foreign languages</p>
<p>Any other current cadets feel free to edit my list if necessary. If you don't have AP physics, there is a validation test offered for that as well (very difficult though).
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<p>Quote:
Originally Posted by bulletandpima
So you are suggesting that if you get a 4/5 on AP you should validate and go one level higher? Out of curiosity, why are they having problems if they took AP and passed?
IRONICALLY, it is for the reason you stated above. The time needed to do well in those classes is not readily available to a 4 dig, unless you are REALLY good at time management, which most are not (I learned once I got here).</p>
<p>The head guy for UC told me when I had him for physical development that I should validate both with my credentials (again, hoping he lives up to his statement).</p>
<p>I am a 3rd degree blackbelt, 2x state champ, ranked 6th in world, won a national competition in Orlando (not national title per se, but at the nationals competition [singaporemom might kill me for not qualifying that ]). Been doing TKD since 1998.
<p>I did a chem review packet and practiced the practice tests USAFA sent for math. That's all the prep I did. If you don't feel comfortable, try studying. Take the test either way, worst that happens is you don't validate.</p>
<p>For the calc validation test, can you use a calculator on any of it? I will be taking the AP Calc BC test in May and just wanted to know if the validation/placement test was like the AP test</p>
<p>That's what the "Instructions to Appointees" booklet seemed to say, but there are some calculus problems that need a calculator, so I guess I can assume that those problems just won't be on the test. And to ask a question that has already been asked, is the calc validation test hard? perhaps compared to the AP test?</p>
<p>If you can get a 4 or 5 on the AP test then you can pass the validation test. I didn't think either of the calc 1 or calc 2 tests were hard. I'm horrible at math too! </p>
<p>You are being tested on your understanding of calculus concepts, numbers and the need for calculators doesn't assess that. ;)</p>
<p>Calc 3 actually made sense, i could understand the applications of everything. DiffEQ was all memorizing insane formulas and plugging derivatives and integrals into a calculator... you could never be sure whether or not the answer you got made any sense.</p>