How does course validation work?
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For USAFA, you'll take the math placement tests at home before BCT. Language and chemistry are during BCT. My ds did not study for the math placement test and was placed perfectly. I think there was some optional review before the math tests but I think my ds went right into the testing module.
Ok, thanks for the information! There are just a lot of different procedures for Calculus that I've forgotten about.
They will do tests before you leave to BCT and again during BCT 1. They work hard to figure out where to place you, and if you have taken Calculus or Calc 2 in college they use it along with your placement tests. You will have two required tests and one optional math placement test before BCT, I suggest doing all three. My boy did good on the optional advanced calculus and the calculus one, but funny enough was so tested out as he took them while studying for finals, that he didn’t do the best on the lower level algebra based test. In the end it worked out and as a doolie he was placed in advanced Calc 3 this year and validated Calc 1 & 2.
Unless you are a true "math genius", Calc 1 is where you want to be. It's either an easy A or you'll reveal hidden weak areas you didn't know about. Calc 1 is largely programming based and not straight up pencil to paper math. First semester, as a Doolie, is tough enough, use caution trying to make it more difficult. By all means, test out of Chem, history, language, etc.
Then don't worry about validation. They'll place you at the correct level. Repeating/refreshing Calculus is great especially if you're STEM. You just need to really understand and learn the material. So Calc 1 or 2 may be where you're placed.
Thank you everyone for emphasizing the importance of repeating Calculus! ...but I still plan to review Calculus in my second semester of senior year and hopefully validate as much as I can. 
A concern is this: If a doolie is in a class full of upperclassmen cadets, how will they get treated? Would there be a barrier (or some sort of air of formality) between my classmates and me until recognition?
A concern is this: If a doolie is in a class full of upperclassmen cadets, how will they get treated? Would there be a barrier (or some sort of air of formality) between my classmates and me until recognition?
I was in several classes as a doolie with upperclassmen cadets.... they treated me as they normally would to another upperclass cadet. I did not feel any sort of barrier, and some of our teachers sometimes urged us to call each other by our first name. But outside Fairchild, everything went back to normal with ROEs and formality. May be different depending on what class you are in, but that's my two sense.Thank you everyone for emphasizing the importance of repeating Calculus! ...but I still plan to review Calculus in my second semester of senior year and hopefully validate as much as I can.
A concern is this: If a doolie is in a class full of upperclassmen cadets, how will they get treated? Would there be a barrier (or some sort of air of formality) between my classmates and me until recognition?
And there are doolies in Calc 2 and 3 first semester Freshman year (especially Calc 2). You won't be the only one.Thank you everyone for emphasizing the importance of repeating Calculus! ...but I still plan to review Calculus in my second semester of senior year and hopefully validate as much as I can.
A concern is this: If a doolie is in a class full of upperclassmen cadets, how will they get treated? Would there be a barrier (or some sort of air of formality) between my classmates and me until recognition?
Don’t repeat calculus if you don’t need to. Just follow the recommendations of your advisor based on your testing and AP course scores. It is going to depend on you specifically. My DS is a C4C and jumped right into Calc 3 after already taking it in High School. He is acing it. There is a lot of chatter in the past on this board to just redo Calculus I and/or 2 regardless of scoring and that would have been a waste for him.Thank you everyone for emphasizing the importance of repeating Calculus! ...but I still plan to review Calculus in my second semester of senior year and hopefully validate as much as I can.
A concern is this: If a doolie is in a class full of upperclassmen cadets, how will they get treated? Would there be a barrier (or some sort of air of formality) between my classmates and me until recognition?
He validated various courses and that has opened up his schedule to more interesting courses.
Thegirlinthefireplace
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AP Calculus AB is Calc 1, and BC is Calc 1 and Calc 2, so faster paced. That's why some people skip Calc AB and take BC if they are good at math or very brave lol.
DomerDad
Proud Dad of a USAFA 2026 DD
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My DD validated 4 classes last year. I tried to convince her (based on feedback from this forum) to take Calc 1 and Calc 2 to help her GPA. She did not take my advice and did very well in Calc 3. I am glad she followed her gut, and her GPA is very strong without taking the lower-level math classes. By validating her classes, she can now double major and is very happy with the more challenging classes. I think USAFA did an excellent job of placing her where she needed to be. As for taking classes with upperclassmen, as others have mentioned, it was a non-issue.
mrzaccharias
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I'm currently a doolie, and I tested into differential equations (the class after calc III) my first semester because I went to college beforehand. Upperclassmen treated me normally and I even studied with them outside of class. Absolutely no barriers between you and your classmates, especially in class or at the library. The only thing to worry about is the subject itself: if you did well in AP, you'll probably do just fine in calc II or III. If you're organized and disciplined, you'll probably do better than the average. Intro math classes here (Calc I-III, DiffEqs and Engr Math) don't really scale grades too much, so keep that in mind when choosing your preferred class.Thank you everyone for emphasizing the importance of repeating Calculus! ...but I still plan to review Calculus in my second semester of senior year and hopefully validate as much as I can.
A concern is this: If a doolie is in a class full of upperclassmen cadets, how will they get treated? Would there be a barrier (or some sort of air of formality) between my classmates and me until recognition?
It should be noted that calc classes (especially intro ones) at the academy are less "calc/math" focused and have a lot of matlab/r in them. After placing, if you really wanna get ahead, I'd review some of that stuff, but honestly I think you should just relax and enjoy your last year of high school/college (wherever you're coming from) because things probably won't be the same for a while after coming here.
Thegirlinthefireplace
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I'm happy to hear this. I'm still in high school but I've gone pretty far into college math and am currently taking discrete math. While I'm all in favor of an easy A by repeating a class, I'm hoping to be challenged at least a little, so it's good to know that at least repeating a higher up class than Calculus is possible. Assuming I pass the tests, of course.
You will be challenged, don't worry about that.
mrzaccharias
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I agree with the comment above, you’ll be challenged more than you like at times, if not academically, than through some other means. Also, unfortunately the academy will likely not validate your upper level math experience, like discrete, linear, analysis, etc (even if it’s from a college), both because it’s their policy, and because unless you plan to be a math major, the classes are probably not necessary. Discrete math, for example, is only really pertinent to math and CS majors. If you do go for a stem major, you’ll probably have to repeat diff eqs at least (pretty much a calc class).
With that being said, math experience can only help you and I commend your academic achievement. You’re tons better off than I was when I graduated high school.
Aardvaark111
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How do AP scores affect validation? If I don't take any AP tests (I'm planning on dual enrollment instead of AP courses) will I still be able to validate lower level courses at USAFA?
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Here are some past posts that might help you.
The AP/IB Credit Table from the 2023 USAFA Curriculum Handbook.
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/ap-test-and-the-usafa.92041/post-974482
Some comments on dual enrollment (DE) courses.
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/dual-enrollment.91628/post-969291
Some comments about AP exams, validation, CLEP tests, and DE credits.
https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...-vs-dual-enrollment-algebra.89697/post-938621
Comments on the difference between transfer credits and validated courses.
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/chances-of-admission.91881/post-972146
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I wouldn't consider Calc III, DiffEq, or Engr Math as "intro" math classes. From what I recall, Engr Math (aka "Angry" Math) was one of the most difficult courses offered in the entire school.