P121 Spring 2003 -  Exam 1 Distribution

Mean scores:  P1=15/20, P2=14/20, P3=13/20, P4=7/20, P5=7/20, total=57/100

What your score means:  Overall, I would have expected, and would have been happier with, a tighter distribution with a mean around 65 to 70.   For this exam I consider 65-70 as the center of the B range. 

If you are below 50, you need to re-evaluate how you are approaching this course.  In my mind, for you there is a significant probability that something is broken.  Are you giving the course enough time?  Are you doing the problem sets the right way?  Are you going to workshop?  Are you going to workshop and not leaving until you really understand those problems?  Are you looking at the book or the solutions or talking to friends about the problems before you've given yourself a real crack at doing it?  Did you do practice exam problems?  Do you review the solutions and make sure you really understand all the hows and whys about the solutions?  Do you go to lecture?  If you don't find that useful, try reading the book one chapter ahead and then going to lecture.  Make an appt. with me if you want to chat about it.  Do **not** ignore this now and come to me in May wondering how to fix things.   I deliberately weight your grade more on the final exam and allow you to drop a grade so that you have the opportunity to discover that you aren't approaching this course correctly and have the chance to fix it and still do okay in the course.