Kenshinsan

Hi, I need some help regarding a math placement exam. My college requires me to take an online math exam to place me in the right level math course. The problem is I did bad on the exam and got placed in a low level math class. The reason for this is because I was not able to take Calc for my senior year due to scheduling problems and not enough people taking it at my school, so they even canceled the class. I tried to take it in a local community college but due to above mentioned issues, I was unable too.(I also took it about an hour before the deadline of 12a.m so I was in a hurry)


Thus I have not had a math class in about a year+ time. The thing is my math has gotten BAD. Sometimes I find myself having to think an extra minute or 2 on regular algebra problems that I could do with my eyes closed before. That was the same thing that happened on the test too. There were problems I know I had done before, but could not remember no matter how hard I tried how to go about doing them.

So I can retake the test again in about 2 months.

So my question is should I retake it? I'm planning on buying some math books to go over math formulas and concepts so I can remember some things. Then I can retake it and place into a higher math class something close to Calc, or just a class below it. The thing is I'm not sure if by being in such a low class I will be able to work my way up all the way up to calc before I send in my app to medical schools. And I know that a lot of schools like that their students took calc or a class close to that level of math.

If I didn't take the test I could take the easy math class. Being that once my brain was refreshed after a couple of weeks of the math class I would be able to plow through it easily, ending with a basically guaranteed A, (barring any other factors which could make otherwise happen) thus boosting my g.p.a, making my freshman year easier in college, and allowing me to concentrate more on my science classes. But should I do this. Or will med-schools look down on this and this will make me not as appealing if I get pass the first application in med-school processing.

I'm going to Michigan State University in the Fall. I know how important g.p.a and MCATS are(I have read every post in the general premed advice thread and the MCAT thread) and while having a high g.p.a and MCAT would get me past the first app, once on the second app would I be looked down upon and not be offered an interview because I didn't take Calc, and everyone else did. I know med-schools reward you little if any for taking a harder courseload but what about this situation.