<p>I heard somewhere that placement exams were in the summer, but then others say that placement exams are during Camp Yale. Do you have to take those placement tests even if you have a 5 on the AP? Are placement test similar in difficulty to APs? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>My daughter did an online math test to place her in her first math class (she had a 5 on the AP Calc exam). They are for “suggested” placement as far as I know. Can’t speak to difficulty. That was during the summer. For language, the tests on campus are just before classes start.</p>
<p>Did she receive a score or recommended class of placement immediately after the exam, or did they figure that all out during orientation? What about science classes?</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p>For math, you bring in the results and they place you in a class when you arrive on campus. For science (at least chem) you are given a suggested starting class after taking the science survey. I know depending on AP or subject level exam results, you can skip some intro Biology courses but there was no placement suggestions after taking the survey from what I recall. My son didn’t take physics so I can’t comment on that subject.</p>
<p>For foreign language, a 5 on the AP gets you out of taking the placement test.</p>
<p>^But not out of the mandatory foreign language requirement.</p>
<p>A 5 on the AP limits the foreign language requirement to a single semester…but you’re right, it doesn’t eliminate it.</p>
<p>You will get more information through your ELi acct with the things you need to do and when…
There is a math placement test you will do this summer.
You print it out and bring it to freshman days…That test plus AP results, SAT2s and transcript etc will help advisors place you. There are placement tests given on campus for many of the courses…and that all begins in the first days–Basically after waving by to your parents about 2pm Saturday–you will be busy and happily on your way! :)</p>
<p>There is a science survey to list what background you have in areas. </p>
<p>If you look at the charts regarding AP exams etc you will see that AP tests will place you higher. They do not get you credit…meaning you will need to do 4 yrs of work and take all credits. The chart includes English, the sciences, foreign langauges etc. so it is worth checking it out.</p>
<p>Foreign language is about the only thing where AP scores will reduce the semesters of distributional requirements. Otherwise, they only affect placement…UNLESS you want to accelerate and graduate in fewer than 8 semesters.</p>
<p>Right Hunt.
We spoke with an academic advisor re our student’s APs etc…thinking like many schools it would lighten the load…It doesn’t.
It is nearly impossible to finish in 7 semesters …the advisor said is is very very very rare.
Did I say very ;)</p>
<p>Sunshine02…
as a Yalie you need to get used to using the website and do your homework.</p>
<p><a href=“http://yalecollege.yale.edu/content/class-2016[/url]”>http://yalecollege.yale.edu/content/class-2016</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://yalecollege.yale.edu/content/freshman-mailings[/url]”>http://yalecollege.yale.edu/content/freshman-mailings</a></p>
<p>Not very many people want to leave Yale early.</p>
<p>I want to be able to take Chemistry 118 as a freshman. I got a 4 on the Chem AP, but I got an 800 on the Chem SAT II. On the Yale chem course page it says “Typical CHEM 118 students have a score of 5 on the Chemistry AP test, a score above 760 on the SAT subject test in chemistry, or other evidence of advanced standing in science”. Would my 800 on the SAT II thus place me into the class, or would I have to take the chem placement test since I only got a 4 on the AP?</p>
<p>The placement tests are not always the last word on which class to take.</p>
<p>Sometimes the results are borderline, and the student is told that they can choose to try the harder level or the easier one.</p>
<p>Sometimes the results are pretty unambiguous but the student wants an easier course (greater assurance of better grade) /more highly recommended professor/a chance to review material already learned/ etc. So not everybody who places into Freshman Organic, for example, takes it.</p>
<p>The bottom line is, mostly the placement tests are a good tool for figuring out what you’re in theory most ready for, but you will be allowed to drop down (or to attempt a tougher level) if you insist.</p>
<p>I doubt you will have a problem getting into 118. My son only had one year of chemistry in HS and did not take the AP or subject level exam and was placed into 114.</p>
<p>@fogfog,</p>
<p>Thank you for taking the time to post the links to those websites. I have done my homework and have read those sites, but obviously they aren’t too helpful right now because it’s just a list of mailings and things you need to do by May 31. I have also seen the AP acceleration chart, which also doesn’t really mention placement exams.</p>
<p>What I wanted to know is if it’s really worth taking AP tests, since they 1) do not give you credit 2) doesn’t necessarily place you higher because Yale students have told me that even if you have a 5, you still have to take the placement exams (except for foreign language) and 3) if you didn’t do as well on the placement exams, you can still take a higher level course. </p>
<p>But like I said, thank you for posting the links though. It’ll probably be helpful to others who have not seen it, and thanks to everyone else who responded! I appreciate it.</p>
<p>
I don’t know about the sciences, but I can tell you from painful personal experience that you should seriously consider taking the easier one if you are on the borderline in foreign language.</p>
<p>^Second the advice from Hunt.</p>
<p>Do AP results for placement purposes need to be sent directly to Yale from the College Board, or will the score report sent to our home be sufficient?</p>
<p>Send the report from College Board. I believe that a report will show all AP tests taken.
Check yale.edu admissions to be sure.</p>
<p>Sunshine02, you have the answers to your questions from your Yale friends. You can take whatever level class you choose, and you can sit in on the class during the two week shopping period before you officially register to help decide if you can handle it. Based on my '15 son’s experience you will also have an advisor, your frocos, your House Dean and Master, and any instructor you email willing to help you decide, if you ask for help with the decision.</p>
<p>As others have mentioned, Yale will suggest a level based on your APs and SAT IIs (works for Physics, too), but the decision on what classes to take is yours. So if you don’t think you need the information from the AP test to decide on what level you need to start, then I wouldn’t spend the money. </p>
<p>Congratulations, by the way!</p>