Question about testing out of classes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of testing out of college courses through proficiency exams, specifically regarding how this might affect graduate school applications in physics. Participants explore concerns about the pass/fail grading system and its potential impact on future academic opportunities.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about whether graduate schools would view a pass/fail grade from a proficiency exam negatively, especially when planning to take advanced courses later.
  • Another participant suggests that as long as the student performs well in their overall program, the pass/fail grade should not significantly impact graduate school applications.
  • Some participants recommend clearly stating that the student tested out of the course when applying to graduate schools, as this could present a more favorable impression than a pass/fail designation.
  • There is a suggestion that if the student is worried about proficiency, they could consider auditing the course or taking it for credit to bolster their academic record.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that a pass/fail grade may not be detrimental if the student performs well overall, but there is disagreement on how important it is to communicate the nature of the proficiency exam to graduate schools. Some emphasize the need to clarify the testing out process, while others suggest it may not be a significant issue.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that individual circumstances and performance in other courses may influence how graduate schools evaluate applicants, but there is no consensus on the weight of the pass/fail grade itself.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering proficiency exams and their implications for graduate school applications, particularly in physics and related fields.

WannabeNewton
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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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