<p>I'm not in college yet, but from what I've read, the average test scores of students in math and science courses are typically in the 50s, 60s, and 70s before the curve. At my high school, it is normal to make a 100 in every math and science class if you put enough effort into them. Why is it so different at the college level?</p>
<p>Because the game has changed considerably. It's not about prepping for a standardized test or appealing to the lowest common denominator any more. It's about learning and applying (and possibly weeding out pre-med wannabes who would make crappy doctors). Of course, good grades are most certainly not out of the question. College is a better way to test your math abilities than high school.</p>
<p>Because high school ain't college. The material is usually tougher and it is covered at a faster pace with less class time.</p>
<p>Questions on tests typically aren't only cookie cutter problems like you've been seeing on homeworks. Often they will be in a new format, or require you to do a bit of manipulation/deeper understand to be able to see how the question directly relates to what you've been doing in class.</p>
<p>I'm in an upper level math course designed for the major, so everyone in it is actually a math-related major. Some of the problems on the exam the professor blatantly admitted he didn't teach and weren't in the book, but we were expected to figure it out. The highest grade (70 kids took the exam) was a C, and our professor won't curve. Like everyone said, it's do or die now. In these classes they teach you everything you're expected to know; the things that you're required to learn. If you can't handle it or don't learn it, you suffer.</p>
<p>Look at the curves for something like the AP Physics C test. The same reasons apply. Tests are usually given right after a few concepts are learned in high school. There isn't much breadth of material as tests are given very frequently, and thus it is not too hard to learn what you need to know the night before the test. Tests in college are given much more infrequently and thus a lot more material is covered per test. In addition, many high school teachers are reluctant to curve tests, and thus make their tests easier to avoid failing everyone.</p>
<p>lol ap physics c
ap physics is baby stuff compared to what college intro physics can be</p>
<p>I'd say AP physics C (classical mechanics) is a little harder than the general physics we had. Nevertheless, the average was pitiful.</p>