How much does the Math Placement Diagnostic matter?

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AFS26

Class of '26 Appointee
Joined
Jan 5, 2021
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Obviously it is important to take, but would getting low scores result in remedial classes or could it result in rescinded admission?
 
hopefulmom182 said:
They won't rescind admission. It's merely for placing you in Calc 1, or advancing you to Calc 2 or higher to start.
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Or placing you into remedial math if you don't pass the precalculus portion. That's fine if you need it, but can be a wasted semester if you don't since it is a non-credit class.

I don't agree that everyone wants to be placed into Calc 1. It is often the best option, but I'm glad I wasn't back in the day and my ds is also hoping to be placed into Calc 2 which should still be an easy A for him since he's already had it. I was able to minor in math because of the extra semester without overloading my schedule.
 
They won't rescind an appointment based on this if they already have one.

Agree with the above. Don't push performance on this diagnostic exam! If a cadet takes Calc 2 when they should have started on Calc 1, they're making an already very difficult first year at the academy that much more so.

On that note - for you preppies out there - if you can validate your first semester of Calc at the prep school and begin at Calc 2 your freshman year, I'd recommend doing that. USAFA will "count" those P-School Calc classes as first semester Calc on your USAFA transcript and that's one less math class you need to take up "on the hill."
 
Our DS was placed based on the assessment and thought he should be in a higher calculus. He went in and asked to be moved up based on his AP Calc and Linear Algebra in high school and they said yes. I was a little nervous for him given first year pressures and all but he was prepared and was glad he moved up. So don’t sweat the assessment - based on our DS experience anyway, there’s some flexibility in either direction.
 
T-37IP said:
You want to be in Calc 1. My advice to DS#1 was "do not try to be a hero on the placement test!" If you are good in Calc, it will be an easy A, if you need a more thorough background it will be absolutely required. There is no downside.
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I said the exact same thing
 
Say you pass calc 1 and 2 ap tests with a 5 and pass the placement tests. If you start in calc 3 is that your freshman year or do you do something else for that year? Is there any time later that this can be beneficial for extra time to do other things? Say you’re also an engineering major.
 
Skyhawk said:
Say you pass calc 1 and 2 ap tests with a 5 and pass the placement tests. If you start in calc 3 is that your freshman year or do you do something else for that year? Is there any time later that this can be beneficial for extra time to do other things? Say you’re also an engineering major.
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My DS got 5s on AP Calc AB & BC and tested into Calc 3 his first semester. I get why cadets do it both ways, starting in Calc 1 or 2 would be easier doolie year. Having said that my son was able to start a research project his second semester and got into his advanced degree courses sooner.
 
99Gold said:
Or placing you into remedial math if you don't pass the precalculus portion. That's fine if you need it, but can be a wasted semester if you don't since it is a non-credit class.

I don't agree that everyone wants to be placed into Calc 1. It is often the best option, but I'm glad I wasn't back in the day and my ds is also hoping to be placed into Calc 2 which should still be an easy A for him since he's already had it. I was able to minor in math because of the extra semester without overloading my schedule.
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That is what my DD hopes to do!
 
T-37IP said:
You want to be in Calc 1. My advice to DS#1 was "do not try to be a hero on the placement test!" If you are good in Calc, it will be an easy A, if you need a more thorough background it will be absolutely required. There is no downside.
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Disagree. Validate everything you possibly can. I wasn't able to validate Calc 1 because I didn't test well and really wish I had been able to. Unless you haven't ever taken calculus, skipping Calc 1 will be way easier than taking it, one less class you have to take, and Calc 2 is not terribly difficult. Try and validate everything you can.

I know a lot of folks who didn't try to validate to try and get a good GPA and regretted it later.
 
T-37IP said:
You want to be in Calc 1. My advice to DS#1 was "do not try to be a hero on the placement test!" If you are good in Calc, it will be an easy A, if you need a more thorough background it will be absolutely required. There is no downside.
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The downside is that it is an extra class. My DS had estra room in his schedule due to "testing out" of classes. He was able to either take a class that he really wanted or have a lighter load during a tough semester. I'd say do your best.
 
TLINAU2230 said:
Disagree. Validate everything you possibly can. I wasn't able to validate Calc 1 because I didn't test well and really wish I had been able to. Unless you haven't ever taken calculus, skipping Calc 1 will be way easier than taking it, one less class you have to take, and Calc 2 is not terribly difficult. Try and validate everything you can.

I know a lot of folks who didn't try to validate to try and get a good GPA and regretted it later.
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If you are comfortable with and good at Calc 1/2 topics, validate them. Having an extra off period during the day and less homework at night can offset the "Easy A" that you might be giving up by moving on early.

If you are unsure or maybe aren't great at calculus yet, please still do your best on the placement exam. You can always request to be placed in Calc 1 or 2 instead.
 
I know this is a little late, but if you validate calc 1 does that mean you will have one less class that semester or take a harder class instead.
 
Peanutbutter14 said:
I know this is a little late, but if you validate calc 1 does that mean you will have one less class that semester or take a harder class instead.
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Yes you would start in Calc 2. You still need to take all of your credit hours, so you won't be allowed to take fewer classes but if you validate enough courses you may be able to take on a minor or another major.
 
99Gold said:
Or placing you into remedial math if you don't pass the precalculus portion. That's fine if you need it, but can be a wasted semester if you don't since it is a non-credit class.

I don't agree that everyone wants to be placed into Calc 1. It is often the best option, but I'm glad I wasn't back in the day and my ds is also hoping to be placed into Calc 2 which should still be an easy A for him since he's already had it. I was able to minor in math because of the extra semester without overloading my schedule.
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My DS finished calc III and is taking DifQ at a University this semester. I told him to take the placement tests and just go to the class they tell him to go to. Is that the right advice? No need for him to ask to start again at calc I of they place him higher?
Edit: I didn't realize that this was an old thread that popped up.
 
AimHighMom said:
My DS finished calc III and is taking DifQ at a University this semester. I told him to take the placement tests and just go to the class they tell him to go to. Is that the right advice? No need for him to ask to start again at calc I of they place him higher?
Edit: I didn't realize that this was an old thread that popped up.
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Many people will advise him to take Calc 1 for the "easy" A, but since your son is already taking DifQ at the college level, I think it would be a complete waste of his limited time next year. I would take the placement test and see where USAFA thinks he should be.

When we were at USNA for CVW, one of the Navy admins said that he had been placed into Calc 2 years earlier as an incoming Midshipman, but he decided to take Calc 1 for the "easy" A and was happy he did that. He explained how difficult the first year is and how little time the Mids had, and any "easy" A was a blessing.

The next year, our DD decided to attend USAFA and was placed into Calc 3. I tried talking her into doing Calc 1, citing the advice we were given in the prior year at USNA. She ignored my advice (go figure...a teenager ignoring their parent's advice). She probably had to work harder, but I think she still wound up with the same grade, and she is pursuing a double major.

Your son is ahead of where she started and is already proving himself in college classes (something she hadn't done at that point).
 
DomerDad said:
Many people will advise him to take Calc 1 for the "easy" A, but since your son is already taking DifQ at the college level, I think it would be a complete waste of his limited time next year. I would take the placement test and see where USAFA thinks he should be.

When we were at USNA for CVW, one of the Navy admins said that he had been placed into Calc 2 years earlier as an incoming Midshipman, but he decided to take Calc 1 for the "easy" A and was happy he did that. He explained how difficult the first year is and how little time the Mids had, and any "easy" A was a blessing.

The next year, our DD decided to attend USAFA and was placed into Calc 3. I tried talking her into doing Calc 1, citing the advice we were given in the prior year at USNA. She ignored my advice (go figure...a teenager ignoring their parent's advice). She probably had to work harder, but I think she still wound up with the same grade, and she is pursuing a double major.

Your son is ahead of where she started and is already proving himself in college classes (something she hadn't done at that point).
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Thanks for the advice!
 
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