CSM101 – Academic Skills Module: 2014
Common Exams and You

What’s a common exam?
You might wonder with a wiggle of your nose.
• Course with large student population
• Typical: Calculus, Chemistry, Physics Sequence
• Possible: Distributed Science, Junior level EG sequence,
• Taken en masse
• Typical: 90 minute exam
• Possible: 60 minute exam
• Preparation is essential for success
CSM101 – Academic Skills Module: 2014

Calculus including MATH225 – Differential Equations
• Construction:
• Type 1: Coordinator Created w/ Instructor Comments
• For courses with many instructors
• Type 2: Instructor Collaboration
• For courses with few instructors
• Grading:
• Done as a group
• One instructor grades the same subset for all exams
• Math must be well formed to be understood
CSM101 – Academic Skills Module: 2014

Chemistry
• Tests are individually written by the section professor
• attending is the best way to learn the teacher's voice
• Some profs require homework, some optional.
• DO THEM EITHER WAY.
• test questions are similar in level to homework questions
• Most instructors provide old exams for practice.
• only for extra practice and a feel for the exam style
• Learn strategies for taking multiple choice exams
• Some or all of the exam will involve multiple choice
• Listen to your instructor about exam material
CSM101 – Academic Skills Module: 2014

Something to think about
30 for 30: Jordan Rides the Bus
In 1994 Michael Jordan left the NBA for AA Baseball
- He left a championship team to play for the Birmingham
Barons
- Jordan trained, hung out, and rode the bus with his teamjust like any other player. He knew in this case, it was all about practice, not talent.
“To watch a guy who never left any stone unturned and was gonna make himself the best and he was going to get better every day no matter what he had to do.
I’ve never seen a player who worked like that.”
“Habit is more reliable than talent.” - Octavia Butler
CSM101 – Academic Skills Module: 2014

News to You?
What did you not know prior to this that you know now?
What changes will you make to your study or preparation habits now that you know this?

CPS
A study technique utilizing old exams to identify the types of mistakes being made to determine how to better prepare for future exams:
Conceptual: Not understanding the concept
Partia l: Understood the concept but unable to fully answer the question being asked
Simple: Simple math errors such as adding instead of subtracting, reversing a symbol, etc.