Im a Materials Engineering major, I ended up dropping math 140 last semester because It overwhelmed me. I never took calculus before and everything looked like hieroglyphics. I tried going to office hours but my professor at the time would rather roast my algebra skills instead of helping me understand the concepts. So I dropped the class and decided to take it again this semester. My professor at the moment is 10 times better and I understand the material, he explains it in a way I understand. So I had my math exam a few weeks ago and studied my ass off. I ended up only losing 1 point on the free response but losing a total of 50 points on the multiple choice section. My overall score was a 49, At first I was thinking I penciled in the wrong scan tron but then I got the test back and realized I made stupid mistakes. There were 5 questions that were easy so easy to solve that I solved them the minute I got the test back and realized I made the most idiotic mistakes. the test was 19 questions, 17 multiple choice and 2 free response. I pretty much threw away 25 points over little mistakes (for example in one of the problems instead of x^2 I just put x). Now I have to get an 80 or higher on the midterm and final exam. Im already starting to go to guided study groups and weekly lion tutor reviews. What I need tips on is how to not get freaked out by time and start rushing, because this happens in a lot of my exams, and for math it leads to silly mistakes. Im a slow worker when it comes to math, so when I rush I make mistakes that I wouldn’t if I had more time. I also think I get a bit of test anxiety from the time limit, does anyone have any tips on how to do better? I really dont want to drop this class again, It will set me back. Im going to try and study even more now, and start studying earlier (like a week before the exam). any advice would be useful.
Good idea to start studying earlier. I start about five days before my exams – always end up regretting it when I don’t. Also smart to start tutoring like you mentioned.
Was there a practice exam? Did you try taking it in the same amount of time as the real one? Simulating test conditions can help you get used to them.