2022 candidates and calculus ap testing

AirsoftRanger

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DS 2021 reports that only cadets who had taken the ap calculus placement test were considered for calc , that the score on the beast math test was insufficient. DS is now in easy math, what he covered as a junior in high school. WP did a great job in slotting him into 2nd year German, but a very poor job in evaluating him for calculus. for instance, DS reports that during Beast cadets were given task such as a list of Turkish words and their translation for 30 seconds, then tested over those words.
DS high school did not report his online Calculus class on the transcript - DS specifically asked them to do so, but it was not done. The candidate portal does allow items such as this to be forwarded to the admissions committee - but these forwarded additions, in DS case, were not acknowledged, and I suspect the placement personnel receive only the official transcripts and ap scores.
perhaps in the future the candidate portal will have a slot to insert online high school classes, not just college credit classes.
 
It was my understanding that cadets could ask for reconsideration of the placement. My DS was a reapplicant...so he'd had HS AP Calc and 2 semesters of college calc. He chose to go into "easy math" because he figured WP had enough challenges for a plebe and an easy math class was his gift to himself.
 
There is no easy math at USMA. It is a rigorous STEM oriented program at all levels of placement and all required math courses meet 4 times/week rather than the standard 3 times at other colleges.

Calculus does not begin with "Jedi Math". The standard program is calculus and many placed here have some calculus already. The advanced program (Jedi) is for those who have validated a year of college level calculus and demonstrate a high math ability. The "Rock" program is designed to prepare students for STEM calculus and is by no means easy.
 
DS 2021 reports that only cadets who had taken the ap calculus placement test were considered for calc , that the score on the beast math test was insufficient. DS is now in easy math, what he covered as a junior in high school. WP did a great job in slotting him into 2nd year German, but a very poor job in evaluating him for calculus. for instance, DS reports that during Beast cadets were given task such as a list of Turkish words and their translation for 30 seconds, then tested over those words.
DS high school did not report his online Calculus class on the transcript - DS specifically asked them to do so, but it was not done. The candidate portal does allow items such as this to be forwarded to the admissions committee - but these forwarded additions, in DS case, were not acknowledged, and I suspect the placement personnel receive only the official transcripts and ap scores.
perhaps in the future the candidate portal will have a slot to insert online high school classes, not just college credit classes.

My son had no AP or college level calculus and was placed into Jedi math and advanced physics - validated chem - based on the exams during Beast. He was interviewed during a gun cleaning session and was asked which coursework he felt comfortable with. Both have been a challenge but he is very happy with his placement. The first week of Jedi was an eye opening experience for him. :eek:


Is it possible to change a placement track now? (Not for my son. He is flourishing.)

Edited to add: My son may be the exception to the norm. His peer group in math have taken either college calculus or AP - BC( not sure what this is) calc. I was a little concerned at first that he was misplaced and that plebe year was enough without the advanced coursework. He is challenged and that is one of the reasons he chose USMA.

For those 2022 candidates with aspirations to do the same coming from a rural public HS - it is possible. My son and I had a huge conversation while wandering around NYC of how amazing it is to be at a school with such a huge collection of diverse people from all over the world.
 
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^^ At this point in the Semester it is likely too late. However, he can go to the head of the Math Department and ask to test into a higher level for next semester if he's really bothered by his placement. However, an easy A in math this year may be worth the time spent repeating material, given that most everything at WP is based on class rank, 60% of which is academics. Take the easy points where you can; life will get busier and harder as time goes on.
 
SA does not set cadets up to fail. If cadet is truly struggling in 'placed' class they may move them down to pass but not to get an 'A' vs a B or C.
USAFA was very clear on this approach; not certain exactly how USMA handles it.
 
^^ At this point in the Semester it is likely too late. However, he can go to the head of the Math Department and ask to test into a higher level for next semester if he's really bothered by his placement. However, an easy A in math this year may be worth the time spent repeating material, given that most everything at WP is based on class rank, 60% of which is academics. Take the easy points where you can; life will get busier and harder as time goes on.

Agreed.
 
And after 4 years the cadets (if in good standing) will graduate and will have completed an incredible journey.
and will have graduated with a BS in their chosen major regardless of validations or placements.
 
Figured I would put this out there. The jedi math program is great if your high school/ college prepared you very well. The material is challenging and you have to study the material on your own or go in for AI. In jedi, there are also tougher projects that take over 9 hours to do. The regular math, MA103, is tough, but its not as tough as MA153.
 
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