Math Placement Test

I have taken Honors Pre-Calc. and AP Calc. AB, but I have not taken Calc. BC. Should I take the optional integrals portion of the placement tests, or should I leave it be? I do not know if it is a good idea to try and test out of Calc. 2 since I will be pursuing an engineering major.
 
I have taken Honors Pre-Calc. and AP Calc. AB, but I have not taken Calc. BC. Should I take the optional integrals portion of the placement tests, or should I leave it be? I do not know if it is a good idea to try and test out of Calc. 2 since I will be pursuing an engineering major.
With your situation, I wouldnt recommend testing out of Calc 2. Dont see how it hurts to try, though.
 
Does anyone know want scores are required to pass Calc 1? I got in the 70s for all three of the placement tests.
Thanks!
 
My DD is at CGA and was happy she stayed in their Calc 1 class. It's not just a lot less stress during an already hard year, but it gave her an opportunity to be the one helping out her companymates with their work, which is good for establishing a reputation.
 
My DD is at CGA and was happy she stayed in their Calc 1 class. It's not just a lot less stress during an already hard year, but it gave her an opportunity to be the one helping out her companymates with their work, which is good for establishing a reputation.
I now concur. I talked to my Calculus 1 teacher before I graduated, and he talked me through college math, not only what each course is, but what the focuses are and really went into depth about how to navigate math at the next level. Great talk.

His recommendation was to retake Calc 1 regardless of how well you do in highschool because every college/university has its own faculty and curriculum, and although it will generally be the same, if you want the best understanding of the material, it is in your best interest to a.) get the firmest grip on calculus basics as possible, and b.) learn the math your school teaches, because it is never the same as what CollegeBoard teaches.
 
Does anybody have any experience taking Calc 3 during the fall semester of their doolie year? I passed the three tests and I’m a bit worried about how difficult the class will be. (I took calc 3 in high school, but the teacher didn’t teach us anything and we had to learn everything from a textbook he gave us, so I’m unsure what to expect at USAFA)
 
Just so you don't get your hopes up too much, keep in mind that it may not just be passing with a 70. When I did the appointee visit, the cadet tour guide said that they gave her a placement test for something (not math) once she got there, and I think she said that the cutoff was an 80. So, not saying this is the case, but be prepared that a 70 might not cut it. (Unless you scored above 80 on all of them of course)

I got a 79.76 on the final part *eyeroll* What a cruel move to forbid calculators for high schoolers who can recite the Taylor formula but have to type in 3 * 6
 
Does anybody have any experience taking Calc 3 during the fall semester of their doolie year? I passed the three tests and I’m a bit worried about how difficult the class will be. (I took calc 3 in high school, but the teacher didn’t teach us anything and we had to learn everything from a textbook he gave us, so I’m unsure what to expect at USAFA)
First, you'll still take more placement tests when you get to USAFA, they want to be sure you are in the right class.

Second, this is what I did and it was awesome, as long as you plan to pursue a STEM degree. There was an honors section of calc 3 that was all 4 degrees that I was in. Hopefully that is still how they do it. It wasn't an easy class, but it definitely wasn't the hardest one I took while at USAFA. Additionally because I validated that whole year of math, I was able to stuff both a math and a physics major into my 4 years at USAFA.

For reference, I got a 5 on the AP Calc BC test and felt well prepared going in, finding the additional validation tests we took in basic pretty easy, but I had never taken anything beyond what is covered in AP Calc BC (no multi-variable exposure at all). I enjoyed the class and still lean heavily on the concepts and skills I learned there. The small class size and peers that were really interested in learning the material made it easy to get help and really develop a good understanding.

That said, if you don't want to do a STEM degree and validate calc 1 and 2, you need to be sure to let your cadre know/talk to whoever is advising you on your academic schedule ASAP after you learn your placement so you don't take calc 3 when you don't need it (fuzzy majors don't).
 
@DestroyerOfCommies
DD placed into calc 3 last Fall based on testing only. She did not submit AP scores. She did have good math teachers in HS.

They do administer additional tests during BCT. As of last Fall, her calc 3 class was indeed all 4 degs, but I don't know if it was an honors class like USAFA 10s had.

I did not advise her to ask to drop down to calc 2 because I think USAFA has been doing this for decades and can't be too far off with their placement methods. I also personally believe that if you choose to drop down into a math class with a completely different kind of math learner at a different level, sure it might be easy but you could also be frustrated. As it turns out, she had a great prof and was in a class with similar level math learners that could help each other, and was successful.

Trust the process, trust yourself.
 
For any cadets who took the math placement exams last year, what was most of the content in the math tests, what would be a good way to prepare? I am an IB student who took Higher Level Math analysis and approaches and also got 800 on sat math. I am hoping to score well enough to be placed into calc 3. However I think our syllables is far different from AP Calc as I covered both derivatives and integrals in my junior year and did stats and Dif eq this year. If there is any further descirption of the content to be tested on for the math test that would be helpful. For example on the integrals test and applications do they cover integrals in stats, solids of revolution, etc? And in the derrivitives test I have a good idea that they will cover implications of first,second, and third derivative, and probably optimization. Furthermore is there any vector calc? We covered some vectors and vector calc for short period in my junior year. Thanks for the help.
 
My DD is a 26er. Math is not his strong suit compared to other areas. Concern over the rigor of math and hard technical stuff gave him pause. He seriously leaned toward taking a full Army or Marine Corps scholarship at a top civilian college where he would never have to take high level math and science classes. I posted some questions about the math courses to this forum and got lots of encouraging responses, this eased his mind, he accepted his appointment, and things are going well. I was grateful for the responses as I think it helped him push the button and I think he's definitely where he is meant to be. The STEM stuff is a grind for him but he's making it. He says Arabic is worse.

One thing: They've changed the Calc curriculum pretty substantially from traditional Calc to make it more applicable to real life. This is confirmed based on what has been written on other posts and his experience. He described as more like Comp Sci than what he expected Calc to be like. He did fine. Says Calc II is pretty much just a continuation with a little more complexity.

I think there are plenty of math geniuses USAFA that can manage advanced math easily so it's really up to the individual. For those of you that don't fit into the math freak profile like my son, take heart, if you got in, you can do it. Oh, he also bombed the placement test.
 
My DD is a 26er. Math is not his strong suit compared to other areas. Concern over the rigor of math and hard technical stuff gave him pause. He seriously leaned toward taking a full Army or Marine Corps scholarship at a top civilian college where he would never have to take high level math and science classes. I posted some questions about the math courses to this forum and got lots of encouraging responses, this eased his mind, he accepted his appointment, and things are going well. I was grateful for the responses as I think it helped him push the button and I think he's definitely where he is meant to be. The STEM stuff is a grind for him but he's making it. He says Arabic is worse.

One thing: They've changed the Calc curriculum pretty substantially from traditional Calc to make it more applicable to real life. This is confirmed based on what has been written on other posts and his experience. He described as more like Comp Sci than what he expected Calc to be like. He did fine. Says Calc II is pretty much just a continuation with a little more complexity.

I think there are plenty of math geniuses USAFA that can manage advanced math easily so it's really up to the individual. For those of you that don't fit into the math freak profile like my son, take heart, if you got in, you can do it. Oh, he also bombed the placement test.
One thing that I loved about SAs is the willingness of cadets to help and tutor their classmates. My son is a math, science, comp sci guy. He helps his classmates A LOT. He also has classmates that will proofread his Beh Sci and English papers for him. I had the same experience when during my time at USAFA as well. When include all of that with the accessability of the instructors and EI, they really are set up for success. It might not be easy, but you'll get through.
 
Hmmm...I started in Calc 2 fall semster (after taking AP Calc BC) and it was a breeze. Ended up with an automatic math minor. I'd never recommend anyone testing out of Calc 2, though.
My C2C started in Calc 3 doolie year 😳. We were worried, it was fine. There are two thought processes; One that wants the easier class and grade and one that wants to take more degree courses / a minor and quicker to the advanced courses. My cadet had a lot more options sooner.
 
As a graduate and prior USAFA STEM faculty member, I can tell you that USAFA does an excellent job of placing Cadets at the right level in various courses. However, remember that everyone that gets into USAFA was probably at the top of their high school class and did well in math. It takes a bit of time before some cadets realize that the competition changes a lot in the transition to USAFA. Cadets may have been at the top of their high school math classes, but may be placed at some mid-level to start the math sequence at USAFA. Don't worry. I never heard of a placement decision that wasn't on the mark! Good luck!
 
For any cadets who took the math placement exams last year, what was most of the content in the math tests, what would be a good way to prepare? I am an IB student who took Higher Level Math analysis and approaches and also got 800 on sat math. I am hoping to score well enough to be placed into calc 3. However I think our syllables is far different from AP Calc as I covered both derivatives and integrals in my junior year and did stats and Dif eq this year. If there is any further descirption of the content to be tested on for the math test that would be helpful. For example on the integrals test and applications do they cover integrals in stats, solids of revolution, etc? And in the derrivitives test I have a good idea that they will cover implications of first,second, and third derivative, and probably optimization. Furthermore is there any vector calc? We covered some vectors and vector calc for short period in my junior year. Thanks for the help.
I think you have a very good chance of placing out of Calculus 2. I don't think that there is any rush skipping ahead and the most important part is that you really understand the math but it sounds like you are ready to move on. Vector Calculus is usually a Calc 3 topic.
 
I got a 790 on SAT math, took calc 3 in HS, and did pretty well on all 3 placement exams. I was placed into calc 2. While some thought this would be a good starter, I found it to be a "waste" of my time given the high demand on a cadet's time. My two cents, test out of as much as you can - USAFA faculty members are GREAT and will help you succeed in class even if you are struggling. Testing out of classes allows you to pick up extra things, such as a minor, double major, or research credit, or even just have more free time. For a data point, I had a first semester freshman in my differential equations class last semester. He did great in the class. Hope this helps.
 
Should I take the AP exam if I want to test into Calc 2, or is doing well on the placement tests enough?
 
My sons filling out his appointee kit and it asks about math classes, he took Honors pre-calc and AP Calc AB/BC in high school, then this year in college he took advanced analytic geometry and Calc I fall semester and is currently taking advanced Analytic Geometry and Calc II this semester. Does he need to put his grade for his class last semester, guesstimate his grade for this semester, or put high school info? Also, when does he have to complete his math placement tests by?
 
Should I take the AP exam if I want to test into Calc 2, or is doing well on the placement tests enough?
It's good practice to take the AP. You take the placement no matter what. Probably a good idea to take the AP and get college credits just in case.
 
For any cadets who took the math placement exams last year, what was most of the content in the math tests, what would be a good way to prepare? I am an IB student who took Higher Level Math analysis and approaches and also got 800 on sat math. I am hoping to score well enough to be placed into calc 3. However I think our syllables is far different from AP Calc as I covered both derivatives and integrals in my junior year and did stats and Dif eq this year. If there is any further descirption of the content to be tested on for the math test that would be helpful. For example on the integrals test and applications do they cover integrals in stats, solids of revolution, etc? And in the derrivitives test I have a good idea that they will cover implications of first,second, and third derivative, and probably optimization. Furthermore is there any vector calc? We covered some vectors and vector calc for short period in my junior year. Thanks for the help.
HL math is crazy hard, just here to give you props
 
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