Hi, I’m currently freaking out because all throughout middle and high school, I don’t think I ever once had to take a math test that wasn’t multiple choice. I’m learning that apparently in college, there’s no such thing as multiple choice anymore. Which I think is only setting people up to fail, but whatever, nothing I can do to change it. Anyway, I’m just wondering if anyone has any tips (obviously other than studying or seeing a tutor, maybe just something specific that worked for you). We did a test review tonight, and when I looked at each problem I literally didn’t even know where to start. For most problems, I don’t even comprehend the steps for how to do the problem. And when there are some problems where I do comprehend the formula and steps, there is no way I would be able to memorize them all, or even just a few, because they are so complex. I am in a “remedial math class” that is one step behind college algebra, basically algebra 2 level material. But that sure doesn’t make it easy. Right now, I realistically can’t see myself getting one single problem right on this test when it’s not multiple choice. Like I said, I don’t even know how to go about starting on these problems on my own so I have no clue how I’d even get close to arriving at the answer. I have studied and studied, asked for help, but still, it’s a matter of not only comprehension, but more importantly memorization as well. I’m so scared and upset because I don’t think I can even pass this class. Any advice would be appreciated.
The nice thing about open-ended exams is partial credit. On a MC test, if you circle the wrong answer, zero points on that question; but if you get partway to an answer with an open-ended question, you might get like half of the points. Better than nothing! If you have to take a lot of classes like this, you will learn to love partial credit.
As I discovered when my organic chemistry 2 class had open-ended exams, though, this format also requires you to know your stuff at least a little bit. For classes like math, this often meant spending a lot of time on practice problems for me. When you do a type of problem so many times, it’s no longer memorization – the path to solving it is just plain ingrained in your memory.
I still do this as a senior with my engineering classes. I had an exam in mass transfer last week, and was feeling very shaky on the concepts until I sat down and worked through the practice problems the prof gave us. I referred to the solutions when I got stuck and noted down those tricky bits for later. I started to see patterns – when a problem asks for pseudo steady state, then you start with a mole balance…
I hope your test is far enough off that you can try studying this way before you have to take it. Here’s something relevant I’ve heard other students quote: “Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong.”
TL;DR:
Do lots of practice problems and map out the steps to solving each type of problem. The more you do it, the better you’ll know it.
Thank you so much! I did not know about the partial credit. I hope I can at least get through a few of the first steps for some problems, or at least get credit for attempting them even if my steps are all on the wrong track. Unfortunately, the test is on Thursday and it’s material that covers THREE chapters (also something I’m not used to, other than with midterms and finals) so I’m just going to have to do what I can.
I am not sure your problem is the test type. You still had to work the problems for multiple choice, and any teacher worth their salt will put in more than one plausible answer. Your problem is more likely that the class you are taking in college is harder math.
You really have to keep up every day. Ideally read the material and try some problems ahead of class so you are catching the nuances in the class discussion. Also, the old fashioned method of making flash cards of each major concept and any tricky homework problems, then memorizing them, will work.
Sure, you can argue that you still have to work out the problems for multiple choice tests. But the major benefit is the fact that you have a 1/4 chance of actually getting the problem right, whereas it’s a LOT less likely to get the problem right when you don’t even have an example of the format they’re looking for, or some way to connect the steps between the problem and the potential answer. That’s what helps me so much. When I stare at a problem with no hint to what the answer is or where to even start, I really don’t stand a chance. I’m studying as much as I can right now as the test is tomorrow, but I’m still not feeling too confident about memorizing every type of formula from three chapters worth of material.
Math prof here…
Open ended questions are setting you up to succeed. Show the prof what you know.
Be careful that your path to the solution is logical. Any attempt must be an effort that sends you in the direction to a solution, even if you don’t get the correct answer. I call it,‘logical progression to the solution.’
How to study? Do problems, observe the patterns that lead you to the answer, and then do more problems. Algebra 2 is not magical, it’s just a lot of practice.
(One hour in class is two hours of work.)
Good luck!
At least the way that I did it (I was a math major): The point is not to memorize formulas. The point is to understand the concepts and understand what the equations and expressions mean and why the solutions work the way that they do. In fact I can remember on some tests forgetting the formula, and having to recalculate what the formula was in the margin of the test before I could apply it to the question.
If you are having trouble understanding the concepts then the best approach is probably one-on-one tutoring. You might be able to get help from the professor during his or her office hours, or you might be able to get help at your universities tutoring center (if there is one) or hire a tutor. I know that you didn’t want the answer of “hire a tutor”, but I think that probably is the answer.
You are the example of why standardized testing doesn’t work for everybody. You have approached math as a series of steps, and not the logical puzzle it actually is. Simply memorizing formulas or “plugging and chugging” doesn’t count as learning. I suggest you watch proofs for formulas on Khan Academy. For example, instead of memorizing all the trig identities, you can simply learn one and logically figure out the rest based on that.
Do you know what Wolfram Alpha Pro is? You can enter in questions and it gives you the step by step solution on how to get there. I don’t know your homework load or you professors style of teaching, but practice odd numbered questions on your book and check the answers on the back. Attempt all problems first before looking at the answers. If you’re not sure how they got to the answer, use Wolfram Alpha Pro.
As far as test-taking tips, try to attempt all the problems and take all the time offered to you. Go over your answers and make sure you followed directions. Don’t be sloppy with your handwriting. If your professor can’t even read what you’re doing, you’re less likely to receive any credit. If it makes a difference, alter the way you write for your math classes in order to avoid algebra mistakes. I’ve seen people confuse the variable x for a multiplication symbol, the variable t for an addition symbol, the number 2 for variable z, absolute values signs for 1’s, the theta symbol for 0, and so on…
Do you do homework? How do you approach those problems?
Watch Khan Academy videos on the topic s you have.
Do many practice problems until you understand.
Get a tutor.
Doing free response questions instead of multiple choice is not setting you up for failure, but rather success. In the real world, answers don’t come in the form of A, B, C, or D. Sometimes the answer is not as important as the process it takes to get there. You may not have to solve algebra or calculus questions when you hit the workforce, but you WILL have to demonstrate logical thinking and a thought process that makes sense. By not being able to do questions if they aren’t multiple choice, it simply means you haven’t achieved sufficient mastery of the subject at hand. Watch the professor work out problems, go to office hours, ask the TA or upperclassmen students. Multiple choice tests only exist because they are easy to grade.
Always, always, always show every single step of your work, even if it is a simple step. This will help you maximize partial credit.
I am very surprised you’ve never had a free response math exam before. Honestly, I don’t think I have ever had a multiple choice math exam.
How would you do if the test had been multiple choice? Unless the questions were plugging-in SAT-style, you still have to solve the question first for most problems. Making the jump to expressing those thoughts in a clear, logical, mathematically sound matter takes practice.
It sometimes helps to see an example of a bad solution and a good solution (and ask why they’re bad or good). Here is an algebra II - level example:
Find all real values of x that satisfy x = sqrt(x + 20).
Bad solution 1:
If x = 5, then we have 5 = sqrt(5+20) so the answer is x = 5.
Bad solution 2:
Squaring both sides, we have x^2 = x + 20, which rearranges to x^2 - x - 20 = 0. This factors to (x-5)(x-4) = 0, so the solutions are x = 5 and x = -4.
I have a couple more examples (more advanced than this one) that I’ve used for courses on mathematical proofs.
wow-- I teach Precalc and don’t ever give multiple choice tests. My 38 minute test on Thursday was 5 problems, 20 points each. And, as others have mentioned, the great thing about tests where you show the work is that you get partial credit for the work, even if a small mistake means your eventual answer isn’t right. I like testing this way because it shows me exactly what my kids know-- whether the wrong answer means they really don’t understand, or whether they rushed and hit the wrong key on the calculator.
Even on a multiple choice test you still have to work the problems out right? Plugging the answers back in or something only works so much of the time.
It’s not the test that’s setting you up for failure, your middle and high school classes did this. Yes, you do have to memorize some formulas, but if you don’t know where to start it’s clearly a matter of comprehension. Sorry if I sound harsh, but you’re not the only one who passed a number of school math classes without real understanding of math. I would advise getting a really good tutor and working on your comprehension starting way back, this will help immensely in the other courses to come.