Testing Question about testing out of classes

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Concerns about the impact of proficiency exams on graduate school applications are central to this discussion. The individual has successfully tested out of Calculus 3, receiving credit marked as pass/fail, and is uncertain how this will be perceived by physics graduate schools. It is noted that as long as the student performs well in their overall undergraduate program, the pass/fail designation should not negatively affect their graduate school prospects. However, if the student struggles in other math courses, it may raise concerns about their proficiency. It is advised to clarify the situation on applications by indicating that the course was tested out of rather than taken pass/fail, as this distinction is viewed more favorably. Additionally, options such as auditing the course or taking it for credit are suggested for those wanting to bolster their academic record. Overall, maintaining strong performance in subsequent courses is emphasized as crucial for graduate school applications.
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Hi, I have a (hopefully) quick question about testing out of certain classes in college via proficiency exams. I am currently halfway through my first semester of freshman year and my current math courses are differential geometry and LA. I took a proficiency exam to skip calc 3 and got the credit for the class but it is listed as just pass \ fail. This may seem a bit pre - mature but I would rather be safe than sorry in the future: would grad schools, in general, care that I took a proficiency exam for this class and skipped it thus having just a pass for the course and no numerical grade? I ask because course selection for next semester's classes is going to come around eventually and if this will be a problem I might as well just sign up for calc 3 for next semester. I plan on taking honors analysis II (calculus on manifolds essentially) the first semester of sophomore year (honors analysis I is a pre - req which will be taken the coming semester) so I don't know if that will make up for skipping regular calc 3 via proficiency as I have no idea how courses are evaluated by grad schools but I would really like to sort this out before it is too late. Thank you very much in advance.

EDIT: I should probably mention that I am talking about physics grad schools heh.
 
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WannabeNewton said:
Hi, I have a (hopefully) quick question about testing out of certain classes in college via proficiency exams. I am currently halfway through my first semester of freshman year and my current math courses are differential geometry and LA. I took a proficiency exam to skip calc 3 and got the credit for the class but it is listed as just pass \ fail. This may seem a bit pre - mature but I would rather be safe than sorry in the future: would grad schools, in general, care that I took a proficiency exam for this class and skipped it thus having just a pass for the course and no numerical grade? I ask because course selection for next semester's classes is going to come around eventually and if this will be a problem I might as well just sign up for calc 3 for next semester. I plan on taking honors analysis II (calculus on manifolds essentially) the first semester of sophomore year (honors analysis I is a pre - req which will be taken the coming semester) so I don't know if that will make up for skipping regular calc 3 via proficiency as I have no idea how courses are evaluated by grad schools but I would really like to sort this out before it is too late. Thank you very much in advance.

EDIT: I should probably mention that I am talking about physics grad schools heh.
As long as one does well in one's 4 year program, and pass (on a P/F basis) will not matter with respect to grad school. If one did poorly in other math classes, e.g., made C or worse, then that would be an indication that one is not as proficient as one probably ought to be.

One must assess one's own proficiency since no one here at PF is familiar with one's knowledge or experience. Certainly, one could audit the course, or otherwise take it for credit.
 
It won't be a problem, but when you apply to grad schools, make it clear you tested out of the course rather than taking it pass/fail. Taking it pass/fail looks bad. Testing out looks good. Although not all schools award credit if you test out of a course.
 
eri said:
It won't be a problem, but when you apply to grad schools, make it clear you tested out of the course rather than taking it pass/fail. Taking it pass/fail looks bad. Testing out looks good. Although not all schools award credit if you test out of a course.

Sounds good. Haha it would be pretty sucky if w\e school didn't give me credit for calc 3.
 
Astronuc said:
As long as one does well in one's 4 year program, and pass (on a P/F basis) will not matter with respect to grad school. If one did poorly in other math classes, e.g., made C or worse, then that would be an indication that one is not as proficient as one probably ought to be.

One must assess one's own proficiency since no one here at PF is familiar with one's knowledge or experience. Certainly, one could audit the course, or otherwise take it for credit.

Thanks for the advice Astro!
 

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