Knowledge Tests > Help

I think USAFA10's post is spot on.

Also, I forgot to mention that my DS said that the freshman should treat Knowledge Tests as a separate class. They should budget time for it and consider it part of their academics so it doesn't get overlooked.
 
... I discoverd my memory is almost photographic. I couldn't memorize anything until I stared at it for a while, then I would just remember the image and it was easy from then on.

Lucky you! :cool:
 
K-tests are a big deal, especially because they're pretty much the only objective thing upperclass cadets (especially ones who aren't in squad a lot) can look at regarding freshmen.

That said, you're probably not going to get kicked out for k-tests. I can think of two or three cadets in squad off hand that barely passed any tests when they were freshmen.

All the study habits suggested have been solid. Especially if you're on top of your academics, it shouldn't be that difficult to add preparing for the k-tests. I would suggest starting memorizing some of the boldface tonight or tomorrow (especially with that night game this weekend, yikes!), but at the end of the day, if you can spit back the boldface perfectly and have a good grasp on the detail knowledge, you should be fine.
 
All good advice. I don't recall such a deal last year about the K tests and people failing. I wonder if the Thursday timing (previous years were Sunday) has anything to do with it. My son stated that he would just shove it all in on Sunday, we learned not to call on Sunday nights until after the test. It is hard to study for a mid week test when you have other classes, practice for IC, etc. I know things at Usafa change all te time but I wonder the thought on this and whether it was not good for the cadets.
 
Wing Stan/Eval told us they were internationally making the tests 3-4 times harder than in years past.
 
I have heard from multiple sources that the tests are much harder than in recent years.
The biggest thing you can do to improve your score is to memorize group and wing staff, since they're worth at least 10-15% of each test.
And have the boldface down at least a day in advance.
 
Not sure about the idea of making the K-Tests harder by a factor of X. It is not easy to quantitatively make such a directive work and it seems unlikely that there would be much reason to artificially force down the pass rates of this test beyond historical norms. What purpose would this serve? And how does this make academy leadership look if a high percentage of their cadets are failing at a task? Also consider that there was a great deal of effort made to keep high retention rates for the class of 2017 through BCT, so why would the Wing suddenly change course and decide to impose stricter standards on the same class? K-Tests have always been a challenge. Perhaps there is more attention being directed at the Cadet leadership with regard to these test, but the idea that the test are being made 3-4 times more difficult for some unknown reason does not seem right to me. JMHO.
 
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Not sure about the idea of making the K-Tests harder by a factor of X. It is not easy to quantitatively make such a directive work and it seems unlikely that there would be much reason to artificially force down the pass rates of this test beyond historical norms. What purpose would this serve? And how does this make academy leadership look if a high percentage of their cadets are failing at a task? Also consider that there was a great deal of effort made to keep high retention rates for the class of 2017 through BCT, so why would the Wing suddenly change course and decide to impose stricter standards on the same class? K-Tests have always been a challenge. Perhaps there is more attention being directed at the Cadet leadership with regard to these test, but the idea that the test are being made 3-4 times more difficult for some unknown reason does not seem right to me. JMHO.

The reason they gave us was that they wanted us "to be the first class in recent history to have all of contrails covered by recognition." They said they want us to know a little bit of everything from contrails, rather than know a small amount of contrails very well.
 
From a class that had a high passing rate at BCT, maybe the academic year is proving not as easy or the statistics at the end of the academic year will level off and catch up to the norm?
 
Wing Stan/Eval told us they were internationally making the tests 3-4 times harder than in years past.

pshh, they always say that :cool:

They typically won't kick someone out for K-Tests. Life may just suck for a little while.
 
so lets take it out on the doolies because we didnt do a good job in the last 2 classes???? kinda dumb if you ask me. now the doolies can blame the "harder" ktests when they get put on acpro or worse kicked out. so you memorize the whole contrails and flunk calc- great!
 
Not sure about the idea of making the K-Tests harder by a factor of X. It is not easy to quantitatively make such a directive work and it seems unlikely that there would be much reason to artificially force down the pass rates of this test beyond historical norms. What purpose would this serve? And how does this make academy leadership look if a high percentage of their cadets are failing at a task? Also consider that there was a great deal of effort made to keep high retention rates for the class of 2017 through BCT, so why would the Wing suddenly change course and decide to impose stricter standards on the same class? K-Tests have always been a challenge. Perhaps there is more attention being directed at the Cadet leadership with regard to these test, but the idea that the test are being made 3-4 times more difficult for some unknown reason does not seem right to me. JMHO.

+1000
 
skismuggs said:
so lets take it out on the doolies because we didnt do a good job in the last 2 classes???? kinda dumb if you ask me. now the doolies can blame the "harder" ktests when they get put on acpro or worse kicked out. so you memorize the whole contrails and flunk calc- great!

Can you expand upon this post?

Are you saying that the AFA should not try to set the bar higher because the fear that there are cadets that can't do both (contrails and calc)?

Is your child going the rated route? If so, learning how to accomplish this test will be a big asset come UPT 1st week.
~~~~ DS at IFS had AFA grads in his class. DS was AFROTC. The 1st bust/washout was an AFA grad that failed what would be IMPO the equivalent of Contrails. The test was about knowing what is boldface, but also punctuation.
~~~~ DS at UPT also has AFA grads. The 1st to again bust/washout was an AFA grad for the exact same reason.

This test may seem trivial compared to calc, but since 50% rated officers come from the AFA, they (ADAF) need them to pass these tests, and study for other things.
~~~~ I.E. At IFS, the 1st test was Friday. They were able to retake it on Monday, however, meanwhile the 2nd test was scheduled for Tuesday. Pass on Monday, you only have that one day to pass the 2nd test. Whereas, the other students had Fri-Mon to study for the next exam.

At UPT, they were also able to mission plan, and chair fly between Friday and Monday. They were getting a leg up on their other subjects.

Making it harder as far as I am concern is worth it. Not only for the AF, but for the cadet too. Not everyone that goes to the AFA will commission. I don't mean to be harsh, but if it was my child, I would prefer them to be weeded out early on so they can move on with their life, than being 22 yo AFA grad and being let loose from the AF.
~~~~ The AF may not come after that 400K education, but if you read the fine print for USAA career starter loan, they will up the APR to @19% if you for any reason leave prior to the 5 yrs owed.

There is a bigger picture at hand. If the AFA has decided to change the system, than you must believe they have the bigger picture as their motive/direction for the change.
~ I gave 1 clear reason why. 4 yrs from now they will be an O1 and ADAF. It actually could have come down from ADAF, not willy nilly AFA decision regarding the Contrails change.
 
skismuggs said:
so lets take it out on the doolies because we didnt do a good job in the last 2 classes???? kinda dumb if you ask me. now the doolies can blame the "harder" ktests when they get put on acpro or worse kicked out. so you memorize the whole contrails and flunk calc- great!

Can you expand upon this post?

Are you saying that the AFA should not try to set the bar higher because the fear that there are cadets that can't do both (contrails and calc)?

Are you saying they are changing it because they didn't do a good job weeding out for the last 2 classes, and thus they are punishing the doolies for their failure?

Is your child going the rated route? If so, learning how to accomplish this test will be a big asset come UPT 1st week.
~~~~ DS at IFS had AFA grads in his class. DS was AFROTC. The 1st bust/washout was an AFA grad that failed what would be IMPO the equivalent of Contrails. The test was about knowing what is boldface, but also punctuation.
~~~~ DS at UPT also has AFA grads. The 1st to again bust/washout was an AFA grad for the exact same reason.

This test may seem trivial compared to calc, but since 50% rated officers come from the AFA, they (ADAF) need them to pass these tests, and study for other things.
~~~~ I.E. At IFS, the 1st test was Friday. They were able to retake it on Monday, however, meanwhile the 2nd test was scheduled for Tuesday. Pass on Monday, you only have that one day to pass the 2nd test. Whereas, the other students had Fri-Mon to study for the next exam.

At UPT, they were also able to mission plan, and chair fly between Friday and Monday. They were getting a leg up on their other subjects.

Making it harder as far as I am concern is worth it. Not only for the AF, but for the cadet too. Not everyone that goes to the AFA will commission. I don't mean to be harsh, but if it was my child, I would prefer them to be weeded out early on so they can move on with their life, than being 22 yo AFA grad and being let loose from the AF.
~~~~ The AF may not come after that 400K education, but if you read the fine print for USAA career starter loan, they will up the APR to @19% if you for any reason leave prior to the 5 yrs owed.

There is a bigger picture at hand. If the AFA has decided to change the system, than you must believe they have the bigger picture as their motive/direction for the change.
~ I gave 1 clear reason why. 4 yrs from now they will be an O1 and ADAF. It actually could have come down from ADAF, not willy nilly AFA decision regarding the Contrails change.
 
Can you expand upon this post?

Are you saying that the AFA should not try to set the bar higher because the fear that there are cadets that can't do both (contrails and calc)?

Is your child going the rated route? If so, learning how to accomplish this test will be a big asset come UPT 1st week.
~~~~ DS at IFS had AFA grads in his class. DS was AFROTC. The 1st bust/washout was an AFA grad that failed what would be IMPO the equivalent of Contrails. The test was about knowing what is boldface, but also punctuation.
~~~~ DS at UPT also has AFA grads. The 1st to again bust/washout was an AFA grad for the exact same reason.

This test may seem trivial compared to calc, but since 50% rated officers come from the AFA, they (ADAF) need them to pass these tests, and study for other things.
~~~~ I.E. At IFS, the 1st test was Friday. They were able to retake it on Monday, however, meanwhile the 2nd test was scheduled for Tuesday. Pass on Monday, you only have that one day to pass the 2nd test. Whereas, the other students had Fri-Mon to study for the next exam.

At UPT, they were also able to mission plan, and chair fly between Friday and Monday. They were getting a leg up on their other subjects.

Making it harder as far as I am concern is worth it. Not only for the AF, but for the cadet too. Not everyone that goes to the AFA will commission. I don't mean to be harsh, but if it was my child, I would prefer them to be weeded out early on so they can move on with their life, than being 22 yo AFA grad and being let loose from the AF.
~~~~ The AF may not come after that 400K education, but if you read the fine print for USAA career starter loan, they will up the APR to @19% if you for any reason leave prior to the 5 yrs owed.

There is a bigger picture at hand. If the AFA has decided to change the system, than you must believe they have the bigger picture as their motive/direction for the change.
~ I gave 1 clear reason why. 4 yrs from now they will be an O1 and ADAF. It actually could have come down from ADAF, not willy nilly AFA decision regarding the Contrails change.

Very true! I would add that most USAFA 4* cadets are currently taking 6 classes, extra curricular activities, dealing with upperclassmen, plus k-test. They will not have to deal with this many pressures at IFS. This is an enormous amount of pressure for 17 -18 year olds to deal with and many will struggle along the way.
 
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The test being different is not the same as being more difficult. K-Tests have always been a challenge. That is not the point, rather it is an admonition to keep things in perspective and not get it in your head that this class is getting treated differently. Also there is no suggestion that the AF cannot demand higher standards. Rather that the imposition of standards have a rational basis, and this idea that the class of 2017 is being treated with more stringent testing with respect to contrails content should not be taken at face value. JMHO.
 
Wing Stan/Eval told us they were internationally making the tests 3-4 times harder than in years past.

Sure-the previous classes had it easy and your class is the best!
Keep chugging that kool aid:thumb:
 
They will not have to deal with this many pressures at IFS.

Is that your opinion from experience? Son went through 4 years at USAFA and has told me that other than SERE, IFS was the most mentally challenging time he has ever had.

Stealth_81
 
Is that your opinion from experience? Son went through 4 years at USAFA and has told me that other than SERE, IFS was the most mentally challenging time he has ever had.

Stealth_81

Stealth I don't have any personal experience with IFS. DS has had friends that were not success at their attempt at IFS and friends that did not complete there 4* year. I am fully aware of how difficult IFS can be for most. JMPO that 17/18 year olds may struggle with their first year at USAFA just as 21/22 may stuggle at IFS but the maturity level and ability to cope is significantly different for the two age groups. IFS is difficult but you can give your total attention to getting thru without other distractions ( upperclassmen, k-test, 5 -6 academic classes, etc, last but not least age 17/18 years old). You can prep for IFS prior to attending, you can bypass IFS all together if you have a PPL. I am not sure what the challenge is about?
 
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Very true! I would add that most USAFA 4* cadets are currently taking 6 classes, extra curricular activities, dealing with upperclassmen, plus k-test. They will not have to deal with this many pressures at IFS. This is an enormous amount of pressure for 17 -18 year olds to deal with and many will struggle along the way.

At IFS, my expectation is to learn to fly to the required level in 3-4 weeks. Yes, this is my only job, but failure to meet that expectation will result in washing out and a retention/reclassification board with no guarantees. In my humble and inexperienced Lt opinion, the pressure associated with performance at IFS (and very shortly at UPT) is greater the activities you mentioned.
 
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