How to Prepare for UARK Finite Math Test 1
If you're taking Finite Math (MATH 20503) at the University of Arkansas, Test 1 is coming up. With the final quiz of Unit 1 happening now, this is the time to figure out what you know well and what you still need to practice.
After more than 2,000 hours of tutoring UARK Finite Math, I see many of the same issues around Test 1: students run out of time, struggle to identify problem types, aren't familiar enough with their calculator, or second-guess answers they actually knew how to solve.
Here are the biggest things I recommend doing before UARK Finite Math Test 1.
Quick Test-Day Tips for UARK Finite Test 1
1. Make Sure You Get a Calculator You're Familiar With
This is one of my biggest Test 1 tips.
The University provides TI-84 calculators for the exam, but some have color screens and some are black and white.
If you've been using a color TI-84 all semester, ask for a color calculator at the testing center. If the type you're familiar with isn't immediately available, I recommend waiting until you can get one you're comfortable using.
I've seen students struggle on Test 1 simply because they're used to navigating one calculator and are handed a different version for the exam.
Your Finite test is not the time to get comfortable with a different calculator.
2. Know Your Pink Sheets
Your pink sheets are an important to do for Test 1, but they're only useful if you know how to use them.
RIGHT after you complete your exam while sitting in front of your exam, raise your hand and ask for a pink sheet.
A pink sheet is where you can earn points back for answers you got incorrect. For example, if you rounded incorrectly (either decimals or units) or if you know where you went wrong on a problem.
3. Make Sure Diagnostics Are ON
For Test 1, make sure Diagnostics are ON in your calculator settings. Do this FIRST.
This is especially important for the Unit 1 questions where you'll need the appropriate diagnostic information when working with lists.
Know how to check this setting before test day.
4. Don't Wait Until the Last Minute to Take Your Test
Give yourself plenty of time to get to the testing center, check in, get your calculator, and start your exam.
There can be a wait.
I've seen students have their available testing time affected because they arrived too late and didn't account for a possible wait at the testing center.
Go earlier than you think you need to. The last thing you want is to start a timed Finite exam already feeling rushed.
How to Study for UARK Finite Math Test 1
Once you have the test-day logistics covered, your focus should be making sure you actually know the Unit 1 material well enough to work through it quickly and independently.
1. Use Your Unit 1 Materials to Study
You already have the materials you need to prepare for UARK Finite Math Test 1. I recommend using them in this order:
Homework → Get It to 100%
You're only required to get your homework to 95%, but I recommend working toward 100%. That last 5% can include important problems you'll want to know how to work through before the test.
Quizzes → Aim for 80%+
Before Test 1, aim to score at least 80% on every Unit 1 quiz.
Quizzes are especially helpful because the questions are more comparable to the exam and are presented out of order, testing whether you can identify the problem type on your own.
Practice Problems → Do Them Independently
Don't skip the practice problems. We recommend running through practice problems at least 5x. Even the "easy" ones are sometimes the easiest to forget!
2. Make Sure You Can Identify Problems Out of Order
This is one of the most important skills to have before a UARK Finite Math exam: Don't memorize the order of the questions.
You need to be able to see problems from different parts of Unit 1 mixed together and independently determine which process to use.
When reviewing old problems, mix them up and ask yourself two questions before solving:
What type of problem is this?
What information in the question tells me that?
Then solve it. In Finite, identifying the problem is part of solving the problem.
3. Practice With a Timer
Timing is one of the biggest problems I see students run into on Finite exams.
You can understand the material and still lose points if it takes you too long to work through each question.
That's why you need to practice for speed AND accuracy.
Before Test 1, I recommend getting to the point where you can comfortably complete a Unit 1 quiz in around 30 minutes while maintaining good accuracy.
If it's taking you significantly longer, figure out why.
Are you spending too long identifying the question type? Are you constantly looking through your pink sheets? Are you slow navigating your calculator? Are you forgetting the process? Are you reworking questions because you don't trust your answer?
Those are problems you want to identify before you're working against the test clock.
4. Be Familiar Enough With the Material That You Don't Constantly Second-Guess Yourself
Another major issue I see on Finite tests is test anxiety and second-guessing.
A student may know how to solve a question but start doubting themselves:
“Is this actually the right type of problem?”
“Did I use the right process?”
“Should I change my answer?”
The best way to build confidence is to become extremely familiar with the material before the test.
By Test 1, you want to be able to look at the common Unit 1 question types and think: “I know what type of problem this is, and I know what process to use.”
That confidence should come from repetition—not guessing.
UARK Finite Math Test 1 Checklist
Before taking Test 1, make sure you can confidently check off the following:
Test-Day Preparation
☐ I know whether I'm most comfortable with a color or black-and-white TI-84.
☐ I know how to use the calculator I'm requesting.
☐ I know my pink sheets and where to find the information I need.
☐ I know how to make sure Diagnostics are ON.
☐ I'm planning to arrive at the testing center with plenty of extra time.
Unit 1 Material
☐ I've worked toward getting my Unit 1 homework to 100%, even though only 95% is required.
☐ I can score at least 80% on every Unit 1 quiz.
☐ I can identify Unit 1 question types when they're presented out of order.
☐ I understand what clues tell me which process to use.
☐ I can comfortably complete a quiz in around 30 minutes.
☐ I can work through problems without constantly relying on my notes.
☐ I feel confident enough with the material that I'm not constantly second-guessing myself.
What Should Parents Check Before their Student's Finite Test 1?
If you're a parent of a University of Arkansas student taking Finite Math, instead of asking:
“Did you study for your test?”
Try asking:
“Are all of your homework assignments at 100%?”
“Can you get at least an 80% on every Unit 1 quiz?”
“Can you identify the problem types when the questions are mixed up?”
“Can you finish a quiz in around 30 minutes?”
Those answers will give you a much better idea of whether your student is actually prepared for Test 1.
Need More Help Preparing for UARK Finite Math Test 1?
If you went through the checklist and found a few areas you're not confident about yet, focus your remaining study time there.
At Thrive Tutoring at UARK, we work specifically with University of Arkansas students taking Finite Math (MATH 20503). For Test 1, our focus isn't just getting students through practice problems. We want students to be able to independently identify the type of problem, know which process to use, and execute it efficiently when they're sitting in the testing center.
Whether you prepare independently or with a tutor, the goal before Test 1 should be the same:
Know your homework. Master your quizzes. Know your pink sheets. Know your calculator. Practice identifying problems. And practice with a timer.
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