ECO2023 Principles of Microeconomics
Joe Calhoun
Exam Feedback
A common phrase after an exam is something like “I studied so hard and did all that you
said to do and I still got a low grade, what should I do?” Here is my general feedback
and suggestions for future exams. I encourage you to see me regarding specific questions
about your exam. I am always willing to review the questions you missed and offer
suggestions for your situation.
First let me say that I know it’s frustrating when you spend time and effort preparing for
an exam and don’t see the score you wanted or expected. I also know it’s tempting to
give up and think the time is wasted so you won’t spend the same amount of time and
effort on future exams. Please resist the temptation to do that. The time and effort you
spent may not have had the immediate impact you thought it would but that time will pay
dividends on the final exam. It is not wasted.
After the exam is completed by everyone, I reset the view parameters in Blackboard so
that you can see the questions, answers, and your submitted answers. Go to the
gradebook and click on your score to see them. Carefully review the ones you missed.
See me about any ones you are still unsure of. Also look for common themes or
particular areas that caused problems. Perhaps you missed questions about one or two
concepts. Perhaps you missed mostly math-related questions. Perhaps you missed
mostly graph-related questions. I rarely see a student who missed a little of everything.
Usually students have difficulty with a couple of concepts then miss several questions
related to that concept. For example, maybe you missed most of the questions regarding
the difference in demand/quantity demanded and supply/quantity supplied; or most of the
questions from one particular chapter. Identifying these common areas will help prepare
you for the final.
As you review the questions, try to recreate your thought process as you originally
answered the question. Sometimes it’s easy to identify the error in your thought process.
Sometimes students say “I don’t know why I was thinking that.” When you can’t find
the error, see me and we’ll discuss.
Also review your personal testing procedures. Were you under any other stresses during
the exam that might have interfered with your performance? Did you finish the exam
quickly? You have 45 minutes and there isn’t extra credit for finishing early. Don’t
delay your time but make sure you’re not hurried. I often see students who performed
poorly complete the exam in 15 minutes. Slow down and carefully review before you
submit the exam. Did you make notes to yourself or draw graphs during the exam?
Scratch paper is available to you if you need to write or draw something. Take advantage
of that tool.
If you haven’t already, please read “Midterm exam study advice.pdf” posted under the
Exams button on Blackboard.
Do not hesitate to see me during office hours or some other scheduled time. I’ll do
whatever I can to help you prepare.