I’m currently taking Calculus 1 and we recently got our first test back. I aced it but I was a little disturbed that my classmates did not do well on what I considered to be a really easy test. Not only that but the professor is really helpful during office hours and teaches why things work. Only a third of the class got a C or better. Is that a normal pass rate for a class like this?
That will vary wildly by school and professor.
You did fine, so why are you worried?
Calc I is typically not considered a tough class with a low pass rate such as upper level engineering classes, for example often are.
It really depends on teachers. Calc 1 is not that hard, though.
There are loads of possible reasons why so many had grades below C. Some student’s aren’t strong in math but Calc I is a requirement for their program, some are overconfident because they did okay in Precalc or Calc in in high school, some didn’t actually study, some haven’t taken advantage of office hours like you have, just to name a few. College can be a steep learning curve for some. Enjoy your great outcome. Understand that it isn’t so easy for everybody.
For most Calculus 1 classes, yes. You have to realize, all though students are paying for school, many of them are still not motivated to achieve any goals. Calculus 1 is a fairly easy class, depending on the professor. When I was in Cal 1, there was a vast amount of students that did not do well. I would probably assume about a third failed the class.
This will vary depending upon the school and the professor. However, I agree with comments above that Calculus 1 is not even remotely close to the hardest math class at any university with decent STEM offerings.
It sounds like you are doing well, and quite a few of your classmates just got a major wake up call. They are going to need to study more and party less, or reconsider their interest in STEM.
Hard to say. I would have thought the class would have done better. I feel like lots of kids have taken math classes in HS that would prepare them for Calc 1. At a minimum! Many HS kids start beyond. AP Calc BC prepares you to start with Calc 3 freshman year.
Remember that there is a selection effect on the students in calculus 1 in most colleges: many of the strongest students in math start in a more advanced course because they have AP or other credit for calculus 1, so they will never take calculus 1 at that college.
Hm, I remember taking Calculus 3 in my 1st semester. That definitely save so much time for me, or I would be graduating in 2 years late.