Physics for Engineers II
This class is for the real gunners who manage to survive Physics I and decide to stick with it for another semester. For this reason, an already brutal test is made even more difficult as the average student knows his/her stuff a little bit better and the curve becomes less favorable. Don't count on beating the curve; there are still about 250 students in Physics II even after students drop out of Physics I.
Biochemistry Lab
Certain science labs, including organic chemistry and biochemistry, require that students take what is called a "practical" exam. Students are called into the lab at random to answer about 20 questions. There is a catch, however. Each question is actually part of a lab that students must perform within a certain time limit. Don't mess up though; you only have one chance to get it right.
Intro Political Economy I/II
Students in professor Mark Blythe's IPE classes have the option of taking an oral final examination in favor of a written task. Most students claim that if you know your stuff and have done all the readings you should be fine. The difficulty lies in the atmosphere of the test; imagine having to prove your knowledge of economic theory to an intimidating Scotsman with sideburns.
Organic Chemistry II
Organic chemistry has a reputation for being the class that separates the true premeds from the wannabes. Making it through Orgo I is certainly an achievement, but Orgo II is considered far worse by most. This is one of those tests that you can spend weeks studying for and still fail miserably. Don't worry though: the writing seminars department is happy to welcome all failed premeds!
Calculus III
This class, required for engineers and math majors, is famous for ruining GPAs after the final exam. Students are fooled into resting on their laurels as the course gets slightly easier towards the end of the semester, but are then shocked to find that they've fallen behind and have to catch up to know the material. Plus, professors -- who are generally presumed not to care much about the class -- use a hard curve to balance out easy homework leading up to the exam.
