Math Placement Tests

W

Windu

New Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2024
Messages
3
Hi all, I recently recieved a appointment to USAFA Class of 2028, and today I took the online Math Diagnostic Tests that are required. I bombed both tests, receiving below a 60 in both. I normally am pretty good at math; I took Calc AB last year and am currently in BC. I got an A in Calc last year and a 4 on the AP exam. How big of a deal is failing the Placement tests? Will these poor scores set me back a ton, especially considering I plan on majoring in engineering??
 
can you explain what the test was like?? Timed? what type of questions? and so on. Thanks in advance.
 
Jdub said:
can you explain what the test was like?? Timed? what type of questions? and so on. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I recommend just take the exams and not trying to prepare for the “type of questions” it is simply to see if you should be in a lower or higher class. I wouldn’t try to get the best possible score trying to learn what is on the exam first and study for it and then get placed in a class too high.
 
Jdub said:
can you explain what the test was like?? Timed? what type of questions? and so on. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Timed, no calculator, relatively difficult questions. For me it was harder because I haven't taken pre Calc in two years, which is what the first section is. The second section is Calc AB material, not the hardest, but again, stuff I haven't done in over a year. I'll also add that I've always been pretty bad at no calculator math, which likely contributed to my low scores.
 
I can't recall if my DD took this type of test after receiving her appointment (she handled all of that on her own and I was largely out of the loop). I know that USAFA had the Basic Cadets take several tests during BCT to determine placement. These tests determine if you take Calc 1 or if you can skip ahead to Calc 2 or Calc 3. I wouldn't worry about it. The worst-case scenario is that you will start in Calc 1 (which is the normal starting place for C4Cs). Starting on Cal 2 or Calc 3 would allow for more flexibility in your schedule to possibly double-major. Very few Cadets double-major so I would not let this bother you. Congrats on your appointment!
 
Windu said:
Timed, no calculator, relatively difficult questions. For me it was harder because I haven't taken pre Calc in two years, which is what the first section is. The second section is Calc AB material, not the hardest, but again, stuff I haven't done in over a year. I'll also add that I've always been pretty bad at no calculator math, which likely contributed to my low scores.
Click to expand...
appreciate this info. DS took pre-calc in 8th grade and is currently taking a math class at a local university because his high school didn't have any more classes he could take. He didn't do real well as he expected on the math section of his ACT for the same reasons you mentioned. Maybe he should brush up on his calc.
 
I studied for the pre calc one and did alright if I recall, and completely forgot to take the calculus one, but got placed in Calc 3 based on my transcript and AP scores for Calc AB and BC. Also, if you get your classes at the end of basic and don’t feel like you’re in the right math class, you can request to be moved in either direction if you can justify it.
 
Windu said:
Hi all, I recently recieved a appointment to USAFA Class of 2028, and today I took the online Math Diagnostic Tests that are required. I bombed both tests, receiving below a 60 in both. I normally am pretty good at math; I took Calc AB last year and am currently in BC. I got an A in Calc last year and a 4 on the AP exam. How big of a deal is failing the Placement tests? Will these poor scores set me back a ton, especially considering I plan on majoring in engineering??
Click to expand...
I'm right there with you. I'm a HS senior taking Calc 2 through dual enrollment at a 4 year university and my grade is an A. Got an A in calc 1 at the same school. Took test last night and got a 66 on the first, ran out of time on the 2nd not answering 5 questions and got high 50's, and a 65 on the third. Yikes! I thought I was pretty good with math. Not sure what went wrong there. My professor also says she makes our class harder than the university class so I'm confused and a little concerned.
Windu said:
Hi all, I recently recieved a appointment to USAFA Class of 2028, and today I took the online Math Diagnostic Tests that are required. I bombed both tests, receiving below a 60 in both. I normally am pretty good at math; I took Calc AB last year and am currently in BC. I got an A in Calc last year and a 4 on the AP exam. How big of a deal is failing the Placement tests? Will these poor scores set me back a ton, especially considering I plan on majoring in engineering??
Click to expand...
 
jennmill788 said:
I'm right there with you. I'm a HS senior taking Calc 2 through dual enrollment at a 4 year university and my grade is an A. Got an A in calc 1 at the same school. Took test last night and got a 66 on the first, ran out of time on the 2nd not answering 5 questions and got high 50's, and a 65 on the third. Yikes! I thought I was pretty good with math. Not sure what went wrong there. My professor also says she makes our class harder than the university class so I'm confused and a little concerned.
Click to expand...
These are placement tests to help the SA place you in the appropriate section and class for your background and to give you a shot at performing satisfactorily.

I know it’s a bit of a shock to you, but it’s not a surprise to the SA. They see your HS academic experience and grades as indicators of your potential to get through the stiff challenges of SA coursework. They also know there a a wide variety in the value of HS and university As.

You have been a successful frog in a pond of frogs performing at different levels. You are going to a pond where all the frogs are mostly like you. Someone is going to get Bs, Cs and failing grades.

You take this step by step. Your SA believes you can do the work and perform satisfactorily. You are going to work hard and take advantage of all the help that is available. The SA wants you to succeed, and the placement tests are a first step at putting you at the right starting point. Take a deep breath and say “This is a good thing. I’ll be placed appropriately and will learn to work hard to succeed in this new environment.”
 
The urge to place as high as possible to free up some required classes is strong I know, but I warn anyone that shooting for the stars can cause you to get burned. Remember that you are going to a completely different environment without your usual support structure. This is going to make learning and being successful difficult in the first semester. Just because you might be taking Calc 1 or 2 now in high school, does not mean you are ready to start your college career at Calc 3 or Calc 2. There is nothing wrong with Taking Calc 1 again. Worst case, you do super well and get a A, but it will free up some time to get used to thriving in your new environment. Pushing yourself is good, but don't set yourself up for failure by overextending.
 
For those who have taken the placement tests recently, did you do any of the practice tests that USAFA includes on the math placement page? Curious if any of those tests help to review topics you have not seen in years? Many of us have taken Algebra, Trig, etc. so many years ago it is easy to forget some of the easier topics since we don't use them regularly. My sister is in a very hard engineering school and she keeps telling me that Calc BC in high school (or a college during high school) are not even comparable at good engineering colleges. Good luck everyone - we got this!
 
I have heard being placed lower is better during the stressful first year. It would help to go over material already learned and do well in the class. My daughter also did poorly on her first ACT math because it covered algebra pre calc etc. that she hadn’t done in years. Her ACT math went up 9 points after studying that material.
 
flying2024 said:
My sister is in a very hard engineering school and she keeps telling me that Calc BC in high school (or a college during high school) are not even comparable at good engineering colleges.
Click to expand...
My college professor wife taught dual enrollment English for a while and said that the course was definitely not the same depth as taking it at the university where we teach. I've had quite a few students who validated out of pre-requisites for my courses and probably should not have.
Real college level stuff, especially at high level schools and tech schools is very different from what the vast majority of kids experience in High School.
 
OldRetSWO said:
My college professor wife taught dual enrollment English for a while and said that the course was definitely not the same depth as taking it at the university where we teach. I've had quite a few students who validated out of pre-requisites for my courses and probably should not have.
Real college level stuff, especially at high level schools and tech schools is very different from what the vast majority of kids experience in High School.
Click to expand...
It’s often who you have for class more than the what. Ultimately I hope my sons both get their credits, but that’s secondary to a working knowledge/mastery of the discipline.
 
I actually would prefer to start with calc 1 at the academy my concern was questioning my abilities after taking the placement test and wondering if others had performed not as well as they would have thought they would.
 
Don't overthink it, or even study for the placement tests. Based on them, your AP scores etc, they will place you in the appropriate math class. I also don't think it is helpful for some to place down just to get an A. My DS came from a rigorous HS STEM program and all of the USAFA classes he was placed in were very accurate to his current abilities.
 
dahacker said:
Don't overthink it, or even study for the placement tests. Based on them, your AP scores etc, they will place you in the appropriate math class. I also don't think it is helpful for some to place down just to get an A. My DS came from a rigorous HS STEM program and all of the USAFA classes he was placed in were very accurate to his current abilities.
Click to expand...
Okay, thank you so much. They aren't thinking they made a mistake with my appointment are they? I'm not sure what went wrong.
 
jennmill788 said:
Okay, thank you so much. They aren't thinking they made a mistake with my appointment are they? I'm not sure what went wrong.
Click to expand...
Nope, got a high score of 25 on act math section and definitely didn't know what I was doing for those placement tests. I'm still standing after all this time
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top