Validation Exams

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academy2026

USNA '26
Joined
Dec 4, 2021
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Would anyone mind sharing how difficult the USNA validation exams are, specifically for Chem 1 and 2, Physics 1 and 2, English, and Spanish? Maybe share what they are like relative to the AP exam questions (about the same, easier, harder)? What is the format (are they all multiple choice)? Do they test more of the ability to use manipulate and use equations or the conceptual side of things?

Are there certain topics that are emphasized for Chem, Physics, and/or Spanish?

What does the English validation exam consist of?

Any input is appreciated.
 
LT360 said:
I cannot speak to specifics, but advice from DS is to take them all! During PS these exams offer respite from Detailers and AC.

Validate whatever you can as it will provide flexibility moving forward.
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MidCakePa said:
+1 to @LT360. At the same time, don’t bother preparing or studying for them. If you validate, great — you’ll free up some slots for other classes. If you don’t, great — you’ll be better prepared for upcoming courses that build on that foundation. Either way, USNA will set you up for success.
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I've heard conflicting advice regarding validation. Some suggest as you both do. Others suggest not validating as might provide less stressful academic load in first year(s) as you're more comfortable with material. Any thoughts?
 
academy2026 said:
Would anyone mind sharing how difficult the USNA validation exams are, specifically for Chem 1 and 2, Physics 1 and 2, English, and Spanish? Maybe share what they are like relative to the AP exam questions (about the same, easier, harder)? What is the format (are they all multiple choice)? Do they test more of the ability to use manipulate and use equations or the conceptual side of things?

Are there certain topics that are emphasized for Chem, Physics, and/or Spanish?

What does the English validation exam consist of?

Any input is appreciated.
Click to expand...
This will not be the same environment as the AP exam, at all. It's apples to oranges. You'll be tired, stressed and enjoying the AC. Plebes have been known to fall asleep during the tests because they were able to enjoy a few hours out of the summer heat.

Just go with a positive attitude and do your best.
 
My totally non-expert advice. First, you wont be able to study for these tests, so you have to have somewhat a fundamental mastery of the subject already. At that point, you likely wouldn't be that much more stressed to jump into calc3 vs calc1, for example. Now, if you simply got lucky because the test bubble answers were actually in that zigzag pattern you drew at last minute, then yeah it could add stress. You should have the ability to reject the validation (Actual experts would have to confirm that).

You may want to do a scholar program., minor or or even a semester away and having more space to fit that in would be beneficial. You may actually validate enough courses in one specific major program that it changes your entire thought regarding what to major in. I believe that allows you to take more electives of personal choice as a 1C while others are stressing over the mandatory courses. The point, like others have mentioned, is that it gives you flexibility.
 
DS validated a couple of math classes, he was prepared and didn't struggle in the higher-level math courses. It definitely helped make a minor possible and a difficult major less stressful.

As to what others stated, escaping humidity during plebe summer to sit in the air-conditioned classroom to take the tests is a huge respite.
 
Remember that when you validate, you don't lighten your Plebe load. You pull higher level courses forward, which could be more difficult. No doubt some can handle it, but I imagine there are some Plebes who wish they had just "retaken" some stuff they were already comfortable with.

My son intends to sit for the Physics and Chem validation, but not accept the validation because COVID made his HS science "lab free" which I think is a travesty for those subjects.
 
justme said:
You should have the ability to reject the validation (Actual experts would have to confirm that).
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I asked this exact question about a week ago and was told yes, you can decline the validation and take the class.
 
bubblehead#22 said:
I've heard conflicting advice regarding validation. Some suggest as you both do. Others suggest not validating as might provide less stressful academic load in first year(s) as you're more comfortable with material. Any thought
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Conflicting advice should be expected when posting questions to an online forum :). However here is my two cents:
  • Take the exam(s)
  • If you "pass" then you will have the option(s) to or not to validate. You will not make this decision in a vacuum as you will meet with an Academic advisor and can discuss the options
My DS validated 5 courses one of them being Calc 1. Admittedly Calc 2 was tough and Calc 3 has been tougher. In fact he ended taking the "harder" Calc 3 as he was ahead of the pace. He will most likely scrap by with a C (first time ever on a report card) but he made it through. As a Group 3 major he now only has 1 math class to go in the next 6 semesters.

Validation gives options---ability to pick up a minor, take a lighter load in 3C, 2C or 1C, semester abroad without having to make up classes, VGEP Firstie year. I am not suggesting that you have to validate in order to enjoy the items listed however validation makes it "easier" as @Heatherg21 stated.

There is a post somewhere that a MIDN posted about not validating when they could have in hopes of "less stressful academic load" and it backfired as he approached it to lightly.

Finally, you will discover that time is the most valuable commodity that you will have on the Yard. Any opportunity to validate and move forward provides more time someplace else.
 
LT360 said:
Conflicting advice should be expected when posting questions to an online forum :). However here is my two cents:
  • Take the exam(s)
  • If you "pass" then you will have the option(s) to or not to validate. You will not make this decision in a vacuum as you will meet with an Academic advisor and can discuss the options
My DS validated 5 courses one of them being Calc 1. Admittedly Calc 2 was tough and Calc 3 has been tougher. In fact he ended taking the "harder" Calc 3 as he was ahead of the pace. He will most likely scrap by with a C (first time ever on a report card) but he made it through. As a Group 3 major he now only has 1 math class to go in the next 6 semesters.

Validation gives options---ability to pick up a minor, take a lighter load in 3C, 2C or 1C, semester abroad without having to make up classes, VGEP Firstie year. I am not suggesting that you have to validate in order to enjoy the items listed however validation makes it "easier" as @Heatherg21 stated.

There is a post somewhere that a MIDN posted about not validating when they could have in hopes of "less stressful academic load" and it backfired as he approached it to lightly.

Finally, you will discover that time is the most valuable commodity that you will have on the Yard. Any opportunity to validate and move forward provides more time someplace else.
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Very helpful. Thank you.
 
If you’re looking for overviews of what you will see for each class, their website has great resources for that. I just googled “USNA ____ exams” and this is what I found:

Chem
Physics
A lot of Math - Ik you didn’t ask for it but might help give an idea of exam styles.

Hope this helps.
 
If anyone here has taken the Physics validation tests, any insight would be awesome! I took Physics 1 last year and AP Physics 2 this year, but according to USNA, only AP Physics C will validate Physics 1 and 2. Looking at the resources provided by @Huge Charles, I've already learned everything on the tests but am just a little worried about the math involved since AP Physics 2 is algebra-based but Physics C is calculus-based. Any help would be great!
 
dav1y said:
If anyone here has taken the Physics validation tests, any insight would be awesome! I took Physics 1 last year and AP Physics 2 this year, but according to USNA, only AP Physics C will validate Physics 1 and 2. Looking at the resources provided by @Huge Charles, I've already learned everything on the tests but am just a little worried about the math involved since AP Physics 2 is algebra-based but Physics C is calculus-based. Any help would be great!
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If you’ve had a chance to look through the ABS questionnaires it seems like they’re pretty set on you having needed to have taken calculus-based physics, stating that “experience in a calculus-based course is required to validate physics.”

Based on that, it makes me think that one can’t validate unfortunately, unless having taken AP Phys C. I’m in the same boat somewhat since I was in IB Phys and know a lot of the material on the list, but unfortunately it seems that it doesn’t qualify since it also isn’t calc-based.
 
Bringing this back - Did not do so hot on my math validation test on ABS. I am hoping to maybe validate Calc 1 - (took AP calc bc) . Is there a way forward with me able to validate Calc 1? Another test, etc?
 
dav1y said:
If anyone here has taken the Physics validation tests, any insight would be awesome! I took Physics 1 last year and AP Physics 2 this year, but according to USNA, only AP Physics C will validate Physics 1 and 2. Looking at the resources provided by @Huge Charles, I've already learned everything on the tests but am just a little worried about the math involved since AP Physics 2 is algebra-based but Physics C is calculus-based. Any help would be great!
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You should have a good chance at validating if you understand the calculus part and everything on the test as you said. I took and passed both. Everyone who passes the Physics 1 validation test sits for the Physics 2 test. Only about 16 people made it to the Physics II test and a single digit number validated.
 
brewmeist said:
This will not be the same environment as the AP exam, at all. It's apples to oranges. You'll be tired, stressed and enjoying the AC. Plebes have been known to fall asleep during the tests because they were able to enjoy a few hours out of the summer heat.

Just go with a positive attitude and do your best.
Click to expand...
Yep!! Mine took a nap during the chemistry validation exam plebe summer......
 
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