What to Do After UARK Finite Math Test 1
Did your Finite Math grade drop significantly after Test 1? Before you panic—or start thinking about dropping the class—there are a few things you need to understand about what that grade is actually showing you.
Test 1 can be a wake-up call for many students in UARK Finite Math (MATH 20503). The exam may be harder than expected, and suddenly a grade that looked perfectly fine before the test looks much more concerning.
The first thing I tell students and parents is:
1. Your Grade Is Not Your Grade
Tests make up a large portion of the overall Finite Math grade, but at this point in the semester, you've only completed Test 1. So whatever you scored on Test 1 is being reflected as though that's what you'll get on Test 2, 3, 4, & the Final.
If Test 1 was your lowest score, your current overall grade can look significantly lower than where you may actually finish the semester.
From the students we've tutored, we commonly see lower scores on Tests 1 and 2 followed by much stronger performances on Tests 3, 4, and sometimes the final.
There's another reason your grade may suddenly look worse: you just started Unit 2 homework.
When new homework assignments are started, your homework category will temporarily drop as well. We know students ultimately need to complete the required amount of homework to take their exams, so this category will come back up as students complete their assignments.
In other words, right after Test 1, you may have two categories temporarily pulling your overall grade down at the same time.
That doesn't mean you should ignore your current grade. It means you need to understand what's causing it before deciding what it means for the rest of your semester.
2. Don't Make a Decision to Drop Based on Test 1 Alone
A disappointing Test 1 score does not automatically mean you can't pass Finite.
There is still a lot of the course left.
It's also important to understand that Finite is divided into very different units. Struggling with Unit 1 doesn't necessarily mean you'll struggle with every unit that follows.
That being said, I want students to be prepared for what comes next: Unit 2 is typically one of the most difficult units for the students we tutor.
This is the probability unit, and it's where identifying the different question types becomes especially important.
Because of that, your grade may still look concerning after Test 2.
Don't let the gradebook alone convince you that there's no way to recover.
We frequently see students who struggle during the first half of Finite make up significant ground during Units 3 and 4. The students who stand out are often the ones who keep working even when their grade after the first couple of exams doesn't look the way they hoped.
3. Remember: There Is Still a Retake Opportunity
If Test 1 didn't go the way you wanted, there is also a retake opportunity later in the semester.
With the students we tutor, our preference is generally to avoid relying on the retake. Instead, our goal is to improve their performance moving forward and have them score “extra well” on Tests 3 and 4.
But if a student reaches the end of the semester and needs a retake to reach the letter grade they're working toward, Test 1 is generally the exam we prefer to revisit.
By that point, students have spent much more time working with Finite's application-based approach and have a much better understanding of what to expect from a Finite exam.
The important takeaway after a disappointing Test 1 is simply this: You still have opportunities to make up points.
Don't build your entire semester around needing the retake—but know that one difficult first exam isn't necessarily your last opportunity with that material.
4. Protect Every Point Outside of Your Tests
After Test 1, one of the most important things you can do is make sure you're not unnecessarily losing points in the other grade categories.
You have less control over exactly what questions appear on your next exam. You have much more control over whether you complete your assignments and show up to class.
Homework
Keep your homework as high as possible and stay ahead of the deadlines.
Don't let a disappointing test score turn into falling behind on Unit 2 homework.
Quizzes
Take your quizzes seriously.
These aren't points you want to give away. They're also an important way to determine whether you actually understand the material before your next test.
Pre-Class Assignments
Complete your pre-class assignments consistently.
These are points that can add up over the course of the semester and aren't worth losing simply because you forgot to complete the assignment.
Projects
Take the group projects seriously and aim for at least 95%.
Again, the goal is to protect the points you have more control over.
Clicker Points / Class Attendance
Go to class and get your clicker points.
NOTE: Your clicker category may not accurately reflect your eventual score early in the semester because those points may be updated later.
These are largely participation-based points, so don't give them away by consistently missing class.
If you're struggling in the test category, you can't afford to unnecessarily lose points in the categories you can control.
5. Figure Out WHY Test 1 Didn't Go Well
Before immediately moving on to Unit 2, figure out what actually happened on Test 1.
A low score doesn't tell you the reason for the low score.
Ask yourself:
Did I know how to identify the different problem types?
Did I know the steps once I identified the problem?
Did I run out of time?
Was I unfamiliar with the calculator?
Did I second-guess answers I originally had correct?
Did I know how to use my pink sheets efficiently?
Were there certain Unit 1 question types I never fully understood?
Did I simply not spend enough time preparing?
This matters because your strategy for Test 2 should depend on why Test 1 was difficult.
If you knew the material but ran out of time, you need to work on speed.
If you could solve problems once someone told you what type they were, you need to work on problem identification.
If you didn't know the processes, you need more repetition and practice.
Don't just study more for Test 2. Study differently based on what Test 1 taught you.
The Biggest Takeaway After Finite Test 1
If your grade looks scary after Test 1, look at the bigger picture before making a decision about the class.
Your current test category is being driven by one exam. Your homework category may have temporarily dropped as Unit 2 begins. And you still have multiple exams, assignments, projects, quizzes, clicker points, the final, and potentially a retake ahead of you.
At the same time, don't use that as a reason to relax.
Unit 2 is the time to get more intentional.
Keep every non-test category as high as possible. Stay on top of the homework. Take the quizzes seriously. Go to class. Figure out exactly what went wrong on Test 1—and fix it before Test 2.
A difficult Test 1 doesn't determine how you'll finish Finite. What you do after Test 1 matters much more.
For Parents: What Should You Do If Your Student's Grade Dropped?
If you're looking at your student's grade after Test 1 and wondering whether you should be concerned, start by looking at the individual categories rather than just the overall number.
Ask your student:
“What did you struggle with on Test 1?”
“Are you staying caught up with Unit 2 homework?”
“Are you completing your quizzes, pre-class assignments, projects, and clicker points?”
“What are you going to do differently before Test 2?”
The goal isn't to dismiss a low Test 1 score. It's to understand why it happened and whether your student has a plan to improve moving forward.
About the Author
RyLeigh Werner is the founder of Finite Experts & Thrive Tutoring at UARK and a graduate of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. After going through Finite Math as a Walton student and later completing more than 2,000 hours of Finite Math tutoring, I have developed a deep understanding of where UARK students tend to struggle and what helps them succeed. Through Finite Experts, the goal is to give students the individualized support, understanding, and confidence they need to successfully navigate MATH 20503.
Comments