// When is it?
Test 1 was on Wednesday, February 22, 2017.
// Is it important?
Yes. This test is worth a lot: 100 points, which is twice as much as all the Homework Quizzes combined, and half as much as the Final Exam. It’s about a fifth of your grade in this class. Make sure to put this date on your calendar, because this is one of two class days that you absolutely don’t want to miss. You can’t drop a Test and there are no make-up Tests. On the other hand if you have a serious emergency or situation please let me know as soon as possible. My sympathy with your plight will be related to the seriousness and persistence with which you attempt to contact me about your situation.
// What is on the test?
Test 1 will cover all topics covered in the first six weeks of class, including:
- Review material from MATH 231
- All of Chapter 5
- All of Chapter 6
// How can you prepare for it?
The best way to prepare for this exam is to complete at least the minimum amount of suggested homework in your Notebook every day, and to ask questions and get help immediately as needed throughout the course. In addition, I encourage you to work together outside of class and discuss the material out loud. As a review, make lists of what you think you will be expected to know from each section, and then make sure to study and practice the topics that are the most difficult to you.
Preparing for a math test is like training for a marathon; you should be working every day over a long period to get in shape for the event, and then resting the night before the event. Marathon runners don’t avoid training until the day before the race and then spend hours running laps the night before. Give your brain time to absorb the material, and give yourself time to seek help on difficult topics on a day-by-day basis instead of at the last minute.
Good luck! I am always happy to talk with you about strategies for studying, reviewing, and succeeding on exams; feel free to ask me anytime if you need help.
// Where do the Exam Problems come from?
Every question on the exam will be taken directly from the homework and/or reading in the book. Things we discussed in class are more likely to appear on the exam than things we have not.