Validation Tests During Beast

candidate2014

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I am pretty sure I did horribly on the AP Chemistry test today (think 3 or below). I plan to study Chem up until Beast Barracks, however, so I can score well on the validation test. Does anyone know if I can still place out of plebe Chemistry even with such a terrible AP grade? This goes for Calc BC as well.

Thanks!
 
I am pretty sure I did horribly on the AP Chemistry test today (think 3 or below). I plan to study Chem up until Beast Barracks, however, so I can score well on the validation test. Does anyone know if I can still place out of plebe Chemistry even with such a terrible AP grade? This goes for Calc BC as well.

Thanks!

Got a 2 on the AP Test, validated chem. Definitely possible
 
Can anybody provide insight as to how the validation is at USMA for Calculus, Literature, English, and History? usma.edu just says it is "important to score a 4 or a 5" to validate classes. But, BigBear validated with a 2…. Anybody understand or can explain the process?
 
I am not sure Big Bear meant he validated with a 2. I think he stated that he got a 2 on his AP exam but still managed to pass the validation/placement chemistry exam. Some classes have validation exams and others look at AP scores.

Not sure about West Point, but at Navy, we only took 3 validation/placement exams... Chem, Calc and a language (if we wanted on the language). The rest of them (mostly the humanities stuff) they looked at AP scores to validate them and most required a 5 to be considered validated (some a 4). Not sure how USMA works, so ignore me if its different there.
 
I am not sure Big Bear meant he validated with a 2. I think he stated that he got a 2 on his AP exam but still managed to pass the validation/placement chemistry exam. Some classes have validation exams and others look at AP scores.

Not sure about West Point, but at Navy, we only took 3 validation/placement exams... Chem, Calc and a language (if we wanted on the language). The rest of them (mostly the humanities stuff) they looked at AP scores to validate them and most required a 5 to be considered validated (some a 4). Not sure how USMA works, so ignore me if its different there.

Maybe I read it wrong. The website clearly states you should have a 4 or 5 in most things for validation, but it says it is "important" not "required". I was wondering if they took multiple things into account for validation or what?
 
Hey! From what I heard from cadets I met at my overnight visit, multiple things are taken into account like how well you did in HS in the AP class plus your score plus how well you do on the validation exam.


Jackie, USMA USAFA USMMA Candidate for Class of 2018
Principally Nominated to USMA & USAFA
Appointed to USMA and USAFA
USMA Class of 2018
 
Hey! From what I heard from cadets I met at my overnight visit, multiple things are taken into account like how well you did in HS in the AP class plus your score plus how well you do on the validation exam.


Jackie, USMA USAFA USMMA Candidate for Class of 2018
Principally Nominated to USMA & USAFA
Appointed to USMA and USAFA
USMA Class of 2018

Interesting.
 
Just a little bit of search on this site will yield you links to the USMA pages which cover AP's and validation and much discussion.

It's been discussed 2-3 times in the last few months at least.

Main USMA page on validation & AP's

Math specific page

Short version: AP's are worth doing, send the info to USMA ahead of time. But summer testing, AP's, and SAT/ACT scores all factor in.
 
Just a little bit of search on this site will yield you links to the USMA pages which cover AP's and validation and much discussion.

It's been discussed 2-3 times in the last few months at least.

Main USMA page on validation & AP's

Math specific page

Short version: AP's are worth doing, send the info to USMA ahead of time. But summer testing, AP's, and SAT/ACT scores all factor in.

That is what I was talking about though - the whole "can be important when validating". It doesn't say is required. Anyways, is there any downside to not validating and just starting from Cal 1 for an ME major?
 
DS is going thru similar decision process after going thru two years of college.....to try to validate as much as possible or not. Still undecided on best approach.


Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
Class Validation...

You are evaluated in different aspects. It’s not what you know with your high school experience. Yes you do want to strive for high academic grades, but that’s not the only thing you will be evaluated for your overall class ranking. Like in high school if you pass a proficiency test on a subject you are done with it. You get points for a subject and leap frog over that subject. At WP you are challenged above your capabilities, in all aspects. And just when you think you have a handle on it, they bump it up again.

So, back to validating classes. You will be placed in a higher-level class. If you struggle in that class it will affect your overall class ranking even though it’s a higher-level class. So, when you branch, your class ranking will follow you. In other words, if you are in the lower half of your class, you will be in the lower half of your branch. That equals lower opportunities in a smaller Army, which will be more competitive. If you fail your AFPT it will affect your grade. If you are injured and don’t finish boxing, you will retake it. If you are required to take STAP during summer this will reflect in your performance review. What I’m trying to say is, your evaluation process is very broad and constant. Yes, academics is a major part of your academics, it not the only thing.

There are some advantages to validating classes. You may free up your academic schedule when you’re a Cow and Firstie years, if you make it that far. You could burn yourself out before then.


Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Thanks tugbout! The reason I want to validate so bad is because I'd like to double major and minor. If you couldn't guess, I was definitely one of the more academic appointees haha.
 
Not So Fast

... So, when you branch, your class ranking will follow you. In other words, if you are in the lower half of your class, you will be in the lower half of your branch. That equals lower opportunities in a smaller Army, which will be more competitive. ... If you are required to take STAP during summer this will reflect in your performance review.
I beg to differ on the quoted areas. Your class rank does have an impact on your branch and first assignment choice. How you do on that and subsequent assignments determines your success in the Army. Class rank is irrelevant once you show up. The only way it may impact you is if your GPA is to low to get into fully funded Grad school later on. STAP? Unless something has changed. No impact on your performance review. @500 cadets go to STAP each year. Just means less leave, limited opportunities for fun things, and you won't be First Captain. Maybe Annapolis is different.
 
STAP....

Your numbers on Summer Term Academic Programs, (STAP) are a little high. STAP has two avenues one; those who are on academic probation and two; those who want to take an abbreviated course. For example: A Plebe who is on the swim team will want to take an abbreviated swim survival course. Its usually less than 75 Plebes that are assigned STAP for academic issues.

On your academic profile, it will list your classes, your struggles and successes. Of course having a review that documents how well you grasped the lessons at hand will always look more favorable than one you have struggled with multiple aspects. However, those who have failed and succeeded, those who have risen through failure are looked upon as the one who are forged. They have tasted the bitterness of failure and prefer the sweetness of success.

Push Hard, Press Forward

That makes two of us wondering about Annapolis. I think the Mids have been released for the summer already.
 
Your numbers on Summer Term Academic Programs, (STAP) are a little high. STAP has two avenues one; those who are on academic probation and two; those who want to take an abbreviated course. For example: A Plebe who is on the swim team will want to take an abbreviated swim survival course. Its usually less than 75 Plebes that are assigned STAP for academic issues.

You can also take voluntary STAP if you want to so that you take less classes during the academic year, which is what I did last summer. Is a great way to free up your school year schedule and get a good grade by taking only one class an entire semester's worth of material in 3 weeks. You just have to sign up with the registrar's office and have them confirm you can take it (i.e. must still be able to meet minimum requirement of 5 academic classes per semester even after STAPing).
 
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