100%

Test #5 is complete and grades are posted.  The curve was 20% of the points lost.  I have also awarded a 2 point bonus since EVERYONE was present for the test!   After the curve and bonus, the mean is 89 and A=56%, B=28%, C&D=11%, and F=5%.

Many of you did very well.  Some made common errors on the more advanced (i.e., requires substantial practice to correctly answer) u-substitution problems.

See you tomorrow.

45%

Still grading test #5 and aiming for a Monday return.

19%

I have finally been able to grade some tests.  However, after grading for a while I have only finished 19% of the tests.  I will definitely be aiming for Monday (not Friday) to return tests, so grades will not be posted tonight. 

I also wanted to let everyone know that I am so pleased that every student was present for the test today.  Have I ever mentioned that this is worth a small bonus on the test?  Look for it when I post grades.

Test #5 ... please be patient

Due to other tasks I must complete, I do not antcipate being able to grade all of your tests today.  Hopefully I can have the tests graded and returned to you by Monday.

Test #5 additional info

Some suggestions as you continue to study for test #5:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/test5_info.pdf

Test #5 review correction

On the sample test #5 answers distributed yesterday, the answer to multiple choice #8 is E, not D.

Some test scores changed

As I was putting together some notes for class tomorrow about your test, I realized a common error that was made in one of the "numerical response" questions that I can't believe I didn't see earlier.  With the problem about the fluid leaking out of a bottle, a number of students integrated correctly, but added the amount that leaked OUT to the initial amount (instead of subtracted).  I originally gave no credit for this particular wrong answer, but I just went through and change it to 1/2 off.  I have also fixed a couple of grading errors.  This adjustment did not change the grade distributions much, but I will share these with you on Monday.

Additional "post-test" comments

Even though the third grading period is another short one (just 23 class days), you still have 50% of your semester average left to earn.  If are willing and able to put forth the effort, a current low average could improve dramatically.  On the other hand, don't let a decent average slip!  Most students' final exam scores tend to be similar to their test scores throughout the semester (there are always a few exceptions that are significantly higher or lower).

Also, please be aware that 2nd semester "senioritis" does not exist in our class!  We will be studying very important and challenging topics next semester and I'll need each of you at your best.  No matter what the results are after you take the AP exam on May 4, I want you to look back on this class and know that you did your very best.

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.

Test tomorrow!

Although moving the test to Friday was not ideal, I feel like having the extra review day today was probably a good thing overall. 

With 20 questions, you will have an average of about 2.5 minutes per question.  Be mindful of time during the test.  Skip questions you do not know how to solve and come back to them later.

Please avoid absences unless absolutely necessary.

Good luck as you study tonight.  Spend some quality time studying, but remember that you will perform better on the test if you are well rested ...

Test #4 format update

I have changed the format of the test because what I had created was a bit too lengthy. 
Here's the new format:

15 multiple choice worth 5 points each
5 numerical response worth 5 points each

All questions will be "all or nothing."

Test #4 date change

All things considered, I have decided to move test #4 from Thursday to Friday.  The senior panoramic photo will take time out of both 2nd and 3rd periods.  Thursday during class will now be an extra review day.  I will also be available during lunch on Wednesday for tutorials, but not on Thursday.  I can merge some topics next week so that we can catch-up from the missed day of class on Friday.

If you have any concern that taking test #4 on Friday will cause your performance to decline due to other scheduled tests (i.e., science tests), please talk to me individually by Wednesday.  It will be possible for you to take an early version of the test during lunch on Thursday.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this change.  I will confirm this change during class on Wednesday.

Some review answers

Here are the answers to the 16 problems you were working on during class today:

http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/chpt4-16-answers.pdf

Updated anticipated test #4 format

14 multiple choice - 60% of test - about 30 minutes
6 numerical response - 30% of test - about 15 minutes
1 free response - 10% of test - about 5 minutes

I will post again if this changes.

3rd period, we have a problem

I am really pushing everyone with the material I am expecting you to know by the test on Thursday.  The announcement TODAY of the senior panoramic picture at the start of 3rd period on Tuesday does not work well with our schedule that has been set since the first day of school.  Since Friday is the end of the grading period, I do not have any flexibility with this test date.  Everyone should still try all 16 problems on pages 5-9 in your packet by tomorrow.  I will be available during lunch Tuesday and Wednesday and I will post answers to pages 5-9 tomorrow.  I am actually hoping, for your sake, that this photo is canceled due to rain (there is currently a 70% chance of rain tomorrow morning).  This photo tends to take most of the period.