<p>How are they like? How exactly do u take them? Also, what happens if u fail them? O_O</p>
<p>Do you mean Advanced Placement tests?</p>
<p>If you’re asking about the Placement Exams you take the summer before your freshman year, there is no way to fail these exams. The school will send you information about how and when to take them online during the summer. These exams are merely to gauge your knowledge of any subjects you might like to pursue at Harvard. In the fall, you will discuss your results and your potential study plans with your academic advisor, and the process is very helpful and non-stressful. Based on your exam scores, your advisor will recommend the first class(es) you should take in each department, but these recommendations are not set in stone.</p>
<p>^Yeah, whatever you get is not binding. Harvard gives you the freedom to choose whatever class you like. I’ve seen many students take classes which they didn’t even have the prerequisites for (Astronomy 16 requires Physics 15a, but some of my friends are taking the class and they haven’t even taken 15a).</p>
<p>just checked out the website; it doesnt mention calculators. are students allowed to use them for math?</p>
<p>No calculators are allowed. There weren’t many questions for which a calculator would have been very useful so don’t worry!</p>
<p>…buuuut, if you do very poorly on any, is there any consequence??
i haven’t taken bio since 9th grade or chem since 10th, but i’ll probably be taking the placement exams and i know they will not go well at allll 
(while i’m here, does anyone know if i haveee to take them? it says to do so if you are interested in taking life sciences classes… i’m really not, but i know i have to for the gen ed?)</p>
<p>If you’re not going to concentrate in a life science don’t bother taking the placement tests. You can satisfy gen ed requirements without taking Lifesci 1a or 1b, and even if you do want to take one of them or both, you don’t need to take the tests. I took 1b without strong high school background and without taking any placement tests.</p>
<p>okay thank you SO much!
so… for a somewhat science-phobic person like myself, it IS possible to take a lower level course and not die? :)</p>
<p>^There are tons of courses that satisfy the science gen eds and are absurdly easy. Most of them are listed under the gen ends themselves, rather than the various bio departments, chem, physics, etc.</p>
<p>what about expository writing (since its required for everyone). and anyone know what the test covers or the format of it?</p>
<p>thanks DwightEisenhower! that is a HUGE relief haha :)</p>
<p>im so sorry for being repetitive, but are you absolutely sure???</p>
<p>it’s just i was also concerned about taking chem and bio, because i thought that i will eventually take some courses in life sciences to satisfy the gen ed requirement… but i am majoring in Literature, so it means that i DONT HAVE TO take bio and chem??? :D</p>
<p>oh pls do reply!!!</p>
<p>The only placement exams you’re required to take are Math and Expository Writing … if you’re only going to take courses in the life sciences to fulfill the gen ed requirement, there’s no need to take the placement exams! They’re only for those who are aiming to take higher-level bio and chem classes :)</p>
<p>^Yep, that’s the truth. Anyway, the exams are only used in placement - they shouldn’t affect you too adversely, and you can take classes at a higher level if you feel you can handle them. Your advisors will use the placement exams, along with other external factors, to determine whether or not you ought to be taking certain classes - if you’re really good at science and just had a bad day on the placement exam, then talk it out with your advisor and figure out a game plan.</p>
<p>THANK YOU, PEOPLE! u made my day))))))</p>
<p>I’m curious about the writing test. How “hard” is it to be recommended for Expos 20. Conversely, do you have to write pretty poorly to be recommended for Expos 10?</p>
<p>I’m wondering what skill level the cutoff falls at. Any help?</p>
<p>I think I heard that some 20% of freshmen are put in Expos 10 while the rest place into Expos 20, if that helps at all!</p>
<p>i just got my results for a language test.</p>
<p>does anyone know when do u get ur results for Writing n Math?</p>
<p>Should I be worried that I haven’t received the results of my language placement? Others who have placed out of the requirement seem to have, already. Does this mean I haven’t placed out?</p>