AP Credits?

ski_addict29

5-Year Member
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Jan 19, 2011
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ok so i am somewhat confused on how you go about with the AP credits earned. I am debating whether or not to spend the money on the AP Chem test and the AP English Literature test (I will already be taking the AP English Language). I only decided to take the class (ap chem) so that I would be prepared for it once I got to college (and hopefully an academy). The thing is that chemistry is not my strong suit and I am not sure I would even pass the AP test and I probably wouldn't validate it, so is it worth it? Also for the AP English Literature test my AP English teacher said that some of us could probably do well on both the AP English Literature and AP English Language test. Our class is preparing us for the AP English Language test. Would USNA allow you to validate both or take the credits for both? Further I will be taking the AP Comparative Government test and i already took the AP United States Government (and got a 5) and the AP Biology test (and got a 3). Would these credits do anything to help me? Any information would be great :)
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There are some specific posts with links with USMA position on this. Some quick searches in the USMA section will help.

The short version is that for most courses, AP tests alone will not allow you to validate a USMA course. Plebe History was one exception.

In other areas, AP test results along with USMA administered validation tests will be used to place you.

In the majority of cases you will still have the take the class, but it will allow you to take a more advanced version of it.

In a few cases you outright validate the class, and move to the next in the sequence. But you will take a full load no matter what

As the validation/placement testing takes place in the middle of CBT it's normal to not do as well as you would have right out of HS.
 
There are some specific posts with links with USMA position on this. Some quick searches in the USMA section will help.

The short version is that for most courses, AP tests alone will not allow you to validate a USMA course. Plebe History was one exception.

In other areas, AP test results along with USMA administered validation tests will be used to place you.

In the majority of cases you will still have the take the class, but it will allow you to take a more advanced version of it.

In a few cases you outright validate the class, and move to the next in the sequence. But you will take a full load no matter what

As the validation/placement testing takes place in the middle of CBT it's normal to not do as well as you would have right out of HS.
ok this is very helpful thank you. now do u know if you are required to actually take the ap test to validate? like if i didnt take the ap test for ap chem could i still try to validate it?
 
now do u know if you are required to actually take the ap test to validate? like if i didnt take the ap test for ap chem could i still try to validate it?

You really need to review the USMA info. There are two links I'm aware of on this topic:
http://www.dean.usma.edu/AP/
http://www.dean.usma.edu/departments..._info_page.htm

The short version: AP's scores are used by faculty as one source of data in your validation decisions. It's not something you "Try" for, it will occur during CBT as part of the placement process. IE: Everyone was tested last year if I recall.

4+ appears to be where they start to help in most cases, but even 3's are considered for some. And for a few classes, it appears that very high AP scores (5) can result in direct validation.

You will still have to take a full load, you just get to take classes required later or in some cases advanced tracks, etc.

But read the website it's quite specific.

Also, here is an excellent post from a 2014 plebe on validation/AP's:

http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/...35&postcount=7
 
now do u know if you are required to actually take the ap test to validate? like if i didnt take the ap test for ap chem could i still try to validate it?

You really need to review the USMA info. There are two links I'm aware of on this topic:
http://www.dean.usma.edu/AP/
http://www.dean.usma.edu/departments/math/courses/ma255/acmp_info_page.htm

The short version: AP's scores are used by faculty as one source of data in your validation decisions. I can't remember if all 2015 cadet candidates took the placement exams or if it was something you had to request. Maybe a current plebe can comment. (Mine is off at a sports event)

4+ appears to be where they start to help in most cases, but even 3's are considered for some. And for a few classes, it appears that very high AP scores (5) can result in direct validation.

And in some cases a 4 will still result in taking the class (it did with DS for one of the English's)

You will still have to take a full load, you just get to take classes required later or in some cases advanced tracks, etc.

But read the website it's quite specific.

Also, here is an excellent post from a 2014 plebe on validation/AP's:

http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showpost.php?p=191835&postcount=7
 
Does any one know the format of the validation tests and what is considered a good score?
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the format or your potential score on the placement exams. They are what they are. Just do your best. All cadets/midshipmen will take several of them during the summer. As a prior service academy faculty member, I can tell you that all of the academies do an excellent job of placing cadets and midshipmen. You should have the utmost confidence that the placement process will result in your taking the courses you need to take at the right levels. As a general rule, the more courses you validate, the greater the number of courses you will be taking with upperclassmen during your first year. Core courses are simply moved up. You can even end up validating courses for which you didn’t even take an AP exam. My DS took several exams and validated several courses including some without a corresponding AP exam. He has never experienced a problem taking courses with upper class cadets.
 
Does any one know the format of the validation tests and what is considered a good score?

About the only thing within your control which could improve your performance is general prep for CBT.... Fitness and sleep schedule.

Many new cadets underperform on validation exams simply due to just being wiped out physically. You can't do well on a test if you fall asleep while taking it!!! Same for briefings, etc.

When HS graduation hits, have fun, but keep a school year schedule if possible. (Up at 6AM, in bed by 11PM type thing)

Cadets we know who did this had an edge during CBT. Same for fitness, you do not want to be struggling during CBT on the basics. You'll be pushed to limits no matter what when getting smoked, but you don't want to also be pushed on the field stuff (ruck marches, confidence courses, etc)

Unlike nearly everything else, these two are completely within a cadet candidate's control!
 
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