Test #4 results

I am sorry for the delay in posting grades for test #4.  I had meetings on campus in the afternoon and obligations after school.  I also needed some time to analyze the results and decide on an appropriate curve. 

It should not come as a surprise to anyone that this test was designed to challenge everyone.  I am including questions that require you to think critically, reason, and problem solve.  Practicing these skills will help prepare you for the AP exam as well as for college and any career you may pursue.  I want you to learn calculus and how to be a good problem solver.

I'd like to share some of the results and some comments with everyone:

• 84 students took the test today and 5 did not
• Everyone was present for the test in period 4!  Thank you to everyone who was present today!
• For a few students, this is the second or third test you have been absent for ... no one should make a habit of missing tests.  It does not help in the long run. 
• Before the curve the mean was 72 and about 20% earned 90-100, 20% earned 80-89, 20% earned 70-79, and 40% earned 20-69.
• 3 students earned a 100 before the curve and 2 more earned a 99 - outstanding!
• The curve was 50% of the points you lost.
• After the curve the mean was 86 and about 45% earned 90-100, 35% earned 80-89, 13% earned 70-79, and 7% earned 60-69.
• There were a number of problems on your test that were similar (or at least tested the same concept) to actual AP exam questions from past years or to problems I've put on tests over the years.  In most cases you performed as well if not better on the same topics as previous students.  You should know that a few of the questions I put on your test were similar to problems in which less than 30% of students got them correct on an AP exam (and you did much better).

I'd like to point out that it was shown today that it is possible to do very well on a test like this.  For some students this comes naturally.  For others, a tremendous amount of time and effort over an extended period of time went into preparing for this test.  You cannot put off homework or multi-task during class with the intention of "learning it later on my own."  This is not the type of course in which you can just cram the night before a test to retain a bunch of facts to regurgitate on the test.  Some of you are realizing that this is what has allowed you to earn high marks in the past.  After four tests, there are no more excuses!

We will be moving forward full speed next week as we make-up for the test delay that was out of our control.  We'll finish the second half of chapter 4 next week and you will have a test on that on November 18 (note that test #5 includes topics that build on test #4 topics - you'll need to know concepts from test #4 to do well on test #5).  The week of November 15 we start our last set of topics for the semester in chapter 5 - applications of integration.  November calendar link.

You'll receive your test back on Monday.  As always, please see me during lunch if you have any questions.  Since the first day of school, I have been available to provide help during 50 of the 53 lunch periods.  I do not force students to attend tutorials.  I hope that if your grades need improving that you would stop by and get some help.  From my perspective, it's not just about grades.  If you have been earning low scores on tests, then this course is going to become more and more difficult because there are concepts that you do not understand that will be needed throughout the course to learn even more challenging concepts.

I will stop lecturing and wish you a pleasant and productive weekend.  Remember, it wouldn't hurt to pre-read section 4.6 before class on Monday.