Math 85, section 1
Final Exam
This page is intended to answer any questions you may have regarding the
final exam. If you have a question which is not answered here, email
me or call me at my office (1-5871).
When and where is the final being given?
The final exam will be given at 8:30 AM in 305 Curtis Hall (our regular
classroom). You will have until at least 10:30 AM to complete the exam.
If possible, I will allow as much time as you need; however, if another
class needs the room at 10:40, then we
will have to stop by 10:35.
Is the final exam cumulative?
The final will be cumulative, but weighted more toward the later material.
This is the logical thing to do, since the material on the first two tests
-- algebra, graphing, limits -- has all been used throughout the semester.
How will the final exam be graded?
The exam will be divided into five sections, each roughly corresponding
to one of the chapters we covered. ("Roughly," since there is some overlap:
for example, chapters 2 & 3 both dealt with limits, and both ch. 3
& 4 dealt with derivatives.) Each section will be weighted as follows:
Will you drop my lowest test grade?
This was a frequently asked question during the semester. I didn't make
any concrete decisions regarding this until now, because I didn't want
anyone to count on his or her lowest test grade being dropped. However,
here is what I've decided to do, as a sort of "Bad Test Amnesty Program:"
After grading your final exam, I will go back and determine which test
was your worst of the semester. I will replace that test grade with your
final exam grade (scaled to 150 points rather than 250, i.e. the percentage
grade), if and only if you show significant improvement on
the corresponding section of the final. (Note: I will only do this if it
improves your semester grade; i.e., if the final is your worst test of
the semester, then I won't modify any of the other test grades.)
If you're wondering, the phrase "significant improvement" in the previous
paragraph will probably be defined as the higher of the following
two criteria (on the section corresponding to your lowest test grade):
-
An improvement of at least 10% over your original test grade.
-
A score of at least 70% (regardless of your original score).
For example: suppose your lowest test score of the semester was 75/150
(50%) on Test #4. IF you show significant improvement on section IV of
the final exam -- 42/60 (70%) or better -- THEN I will assume that your
Test #4 grade was a fluke and replace it with your final exam grade. Otherwise,
no changes will be made.
Will there be a review session?
Not for our section specifically. I will be in my office most of the day
on Tuesday, though, so please feel free to drop by with any questions at
all.
The Math and Science Resource Center (MSRC) will conduct a Math 85 review
session in 310 Curtis Hall on Tuesday from 10-12:00.
I have another question you haven't answered!
Then call or email me, and I'll get back to you as quickly as possible.
Back to the Math 85 page.