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