Did poorly on my first physics exam

[Richanesthesiologist]

So I got my physics test back and got a 65, which also happened to be the class average and would be a B+ or B. I had studied all week for this test and sacrificed a lot of time from my other classes, doing every practice exam (which I scored 75-90 on).

For those who have recovered form a blunder on the first exam, what tools/techniques did you use to get better? I don't feel like I didn't study enough, but possibly didn't study consistently enough. I also make about 3 silly errors on the test I shouldn't have (I calculated normal force instead of net force, didn't see a force on a box, and talked myself into choosing an answer cause it was the answer on the practice exam I took). I would have gotten an 80 without these errors, which is a low A and a score I would be content with.


Thanks

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Blanky]

Khan Academy physics first off. Watch every video which is in your lecture for that section. The videos should go in line with the lecture you are in. Second do the practice problems but you need to understand whats going on.

 

[Goro]

So I got my physics test back and got a 65, which also happened to be the class average and would be a B+ or B. I had studied all week for this test and sacrificed a lot of time from my other classes, doing every practice exam (which I scored 75-90 on).

For those who have recovered form a blunder on the first exam, what tools/techniques did you use to get better? I don't feel like I didn't study enough, but possibly didn't study consistently enough. I also make about 3 silly errors on the test I shouldn't have (I calculated normal force instead of net force, didn't see a force on a box, and talked myself into choosing an answer cause it was the answer on the practice exam I took). I would have gotten an 80 without these errors, which is a low A and a score I would be content with.


Thanks

So much for graduating in three years and on to med school in the 4th?
Seriously, see above post, and also, go talk to your physics proof.

 

[seren1051]

I never understood kinematics. I bombed my first exam and ended up bombing the final as well. Oh Newton.....least I made up for those in optics, waves, magnetism and stuffs like that.

 

[elitehacker1337]

So much for graduating in three years and on to med school in the 4th?
Seriously, see above post, and also, go talk to your physics proof.

dang, Goro straight savage. Don't gotta kick a brotha when he's down.

My first midterms went very badly as well

 

[jm192]

I got a 70 on my first test in Physics 2.
Went to the back of the book and did practice problems. Went to the teacher's office to discuss every problem that wasnt easy.

I did every problem. All of them. When I'd say ok, i think that's enough, I'd ask myself if I really wanted med school.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

It's important to understand why you did poorly. Did you not understand the concepts or did you not use them correctly when solving problems? If it's concepts I'd focus more on taking notes and reading, if it's the problems themselves then I'd work more practice problems. Your book should have far more problems than your professor will ever assign.
Beyond that advice like going to office hours, using khan academy videos, or getting a tutor can all help a lot.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Your study method is off for physics. You need a good mix of concepts and problems. Also, you need to slow down and read the question. Answer what it asks you.

Also, is this calc or trig based?

 

[premeddestiny]

As other said, you should do an exam "autopsy" and figure out what caused your errors. Was it because you are speeding through the question, not reading carefully? Or was it because you thought you knew the concept but got it wrong? Or was it because of a calculation error? After you have determined what went wrong, you then go and address the root cause so as to not make that same error again on your next examination.

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

B+ for average? Serious grad inflation

 

[lancecorpsman]

Talk to your physics professors. I try to get to know them and talk to all of them. If they like me, i would magically get an A when I know for a fact that I didnt. And practice, practice, practice.