Careless mistakes on test

[Pinkswan]

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Ok so my Physics I class has a policy where we if we score higher on our final than our class average, that grade replaces our average for the class. I have a good grasp and understanding of the material, and I find our tests to be very straightforward so they aren't that tough. I've always been mathematically inclined but I have a habit of making careless mistakes. Careless mistakes are what keep me from getting an A or A- on the tests (usually score in the Bs or sometimes C). I also tend to be very rushed throughout these tests. When we had our very first test this semester, I ran out of time and didn't finish t properly. So I've been very conscious about that and tend to rush through the tests. Does anyone have any advice on improving on working fast without making careless mistakes so that I can get an A-/A on the final? Especially if time and careless mistakes was something you've had to overcome.

Also, I guess it's worth mentioning that our class may apparently be curved such that an 84 is the minimum for an A-, but I'd rather break the 90s just in case.

 

[Robin-jay]

That sounds pretty similar to me, especially in my undergrad. years. I would walk away from the test suddenly knowing how to solve the problem I couldn't in front of the test. I would make very minor mathematical errors early which would throw off huge calculations. And so on.

Even in advanced quantum chemistry 600, I would mess up calculations I absolutely could have done if I was paying more attention, and not rushing. That course was a beast within a beast, but I know what you mean.

The best advice I can give you is that take your test in a very, very focused manner and think of being accurate, rather than being fast.