getting the A

[zbruinz]

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I just got my midterm back for my second quarter Bio class: 80/100. Needless to say, I did okay but I'm not satisfied. The class is curved so that 10% get A's and I don't think this 80 will cut it. Good thing is that there will be two more 100 point exams. I think the average is a 64 for the midterm.

For the first quarter of bio, my other professor gave straight up memorizing questions, but my current bio professor likes to give the thinking, conceptual questions that are more difficult.

So my question to all you intelligent SDNers is how do you prepare for a test that's basically all conceptual and you can't memorize for? How have you guys dealt with these classes?

 

[SeldomSeraphim]

I just got my midterm back for my second quarter Bio class: 80/100. Needless to say, I did okay but I'm not satisfied. The class is curved so that 10% get A's and I don't think this 80 will cut it. Good thing is that there will be two more 100 point exams. I think the average is a 64 for the midterm.

For the first quarter of bio, my other professor gave straight up memorizing questions, but my current bio professor likes to give the thinking, conceptual questions that are more difficult.

So my question to all you intelligent SDNers is how do you prove for a test that's basically all conceptual and you can't memorize for? How have you guys dealt with these classes?

I dont know what you mean when you say prove for. Is that like another language?

 

[zbruinz]

I dont know what you mean when you say prove for. Is that like another language?

sorry, i meant prepare, typed it very fast.

 

[Stolenspatulas]

I just got my midterm back for my second quarter Bio class: 80/100. Needless to say, I did okay but I'm not satisfied. The class is curved so that 10% get A's and I don't think this 80 will cut it. Good thing is that there will be two more 100 point exams. I think the average is a 64 for the midterm.

For the first quarter of bio, my other professor gave straight up memorizing questions, but my current bio professor likes to give the thinking, conceptual questions that are more difficult.

So my question to all you intelligent SDNers is how do you prepare for a test that's basically all conceptual and you can't memorize for? How have you guys dealt with these classes?

you cant really study to improve your intelligence.

 

[zbruinz]

i think i'm intelligent enough, not to sound pompous, but how can I make less careless errors and think more clearly on tests?

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

For application tests, there's not much prep you can do, because if you had similar problems to work with beforehand, well, it wouldn't really be a application/conceptual exam anymore, it would be regurgitate the method of thinking. No real way to prep for it except know the concepts and be able to remember them quickly... other than that, get a good night's rest and eat a good breakfast and relax.

 

[SeldomSeraphim]

sorry, i meant prepare, typed it very fast.

If you typed it fast it would be mispelled, not another word spelled correctly.

In order to not make mistakes you should study so when the test asks you a question you'll know the answer.

 

[ssquared]

Does your professor give out study questions? Those are usually good indicators of what will be on exams. If not, use the questions at the end of chapters in your text. They can be a good basis for practicing using the material. Of course, you need to master the material before you can attempt the conceptual questions; this is intentional on the prof's part. Learning to think critically about what you know is part of college. It will get easier with practice. You could also go through your notes and make study questions. Of course, study groups are always good for asking questions back and forth.

Think clearly about why you're having problems on tests. Is it anxiety, or did you simply not know the answers? Find the problem and then you'll be able to addresses it adequately; don't forget about office hours, as your prof is a great resource.

 

[GoodDoctor]

If you're used to memorization, then you'll need to change your approach a bit for this class, but not as much as you think.

You still need to memorize, just different things or in a different way. I was bombing ochem because my prof said, "don't memorize, just understand the concepts and you can avoid tons of memorization." Finally, I organized ~35 equations into 7 groups and memorized them. The act of organizing and memorizing gave me insight into the concepts, and gave me the easy "memorization" questions that still popped up on the tests.

Memorize concepts. Write out definitions. Map out the major concepts and how they relate to or add to one another. Memorize pathways still, because this base knowledge will open up the concepts to you. Teach the concepts to another person. If you're good at memorizing, just think of it as "memorizing" different chunks of information than your used to memorizing.

 

[aertzin]

I just got my midterm back for my second quarter Bio class: 80/100. Needless to say, I did okay but I'm not satisfied. The class is curved so that 10% get A's and I don't think this 80 will cut it. Good thing is that there will be two more 100 point exams. I think the average is a 64 for the midterm.

For the first quarter of bio, my other professor gave straight up memorizing questions, but my current bio professor likes to give the thinking, conceptual questions that are more difficult.

So my question to all you intelligent SDNers is how do you prepare for a test that's basically all conceptual and you can't memorize for? How have you guys dealt with these classes?

Since it does not appear that you have even applied to med school yet, my first suggestion would be to spend more time studying and less time posting on SDN.

 

[63768]

repetition. type up the notes. right out your ideas on the topic, make sure it's right, do it again. act as if you're teaching someone else the subject material.

it's worked for me. it may be time consuming and necessitate studying up to a week in advance, but i dont' care when i'm rocking the tests.

 

[Vvandenn]

My biology professor is one of those "new age" types that relies totally on conceptual teaching; it's quite different compared to what I'm used to. He even kayaks to work...but anyways! He gave out pretty good advice at the beginning of the year which was to actually THINK and WRITE OUT different ways he can ask about a concept or the like. So basically, I study the lecture notes, go to the book and study the concepts covered in the lecture in there, go over all the assignments he has made us do up to that point for the test, go over any practice exams, etc. I then try my best to formulate on a piece of paper different ways he could ask questions regarding topics; thus, I end up knowing the concepts pretty damn well at the end if I keep at it. Doing the above crap usually somewhat prepares me for his totally abstract and conceptual word-problem-type tests.

Where are you traditional methods of teaching? 🙁

 

[zbruinz]

repetition. type up the notes. right out your ideas on the topic, make sure it's right, do it again. act as if you're teaching someone else the subject material.

it's worked for me. it may be time consuming and necessitate studying up to a week in advance, but i dont' care when i'm rocking the tests.

thanks for the responses guys, I did reread my notes, but they may have been a bit too specific. The professor is a like a test-nazi. He never releases any problems and he once arrested a student for stealing his tests. I definitely had anxiety. So I need to correct that.🙂

 

[zbruinz]

My biology professor is one of those "new age" types that relies totally on conceptual teaching; it's quite different compared to what I'm used to. He even kayaks to work...but anyways! He gave out pretty good advice at the beginning of the year which was to actually THINK and WRITE OUT different ways he can ask about a concept or the like. So basically, I study the lecture notes, go to the book and study the concepts covered in the lecture in there, go over all the assignments he has made us do up to that point for the test, go over any practice exams, etc. I then try my best to formulate on a piece of paper different ways he could ask questions regarding topics; thus, I end up knowing the concepts pretty damn well at the end if I keep at it. Doing the above crap usually somewhat prepares me for his totally abstract and conceptual word-problem-type tests.

Where are you traditional methods of teaching? 🙁

that's a very interesting way of teaching. My professor uses powerpoint for lectures, his slides are good and generally follow the book, most of his questions adhere to the lecture slides but at the same time make you think outside of the box.

 

[Vvandenn]

Yeah, I'm still trying to adapt to it and get my B back up to an A.

 

[luv2sd]

What level of biology class are you taking?

 

[zbruinz]

2nd quarter of 1st year.

 

[smuwillobrien]

I just got my midterm back for my second quarter Bio class: 80/100. Needless to say, I did okay but I'm not satisfied. The class is curved so that 10% get A's and I don't think this 80 will cut it. Good thing is that there will be two more 100 point exams. I think the average is a 64 for the midterm.

For the first quarter of bio, my other professor gave straight up memorizing questions, but my current bio professor likes to give the thinking, conceptual questions that are more difficult.

So my question to all you intelligent SDNers is how do you prepare for a test that's basically all conceptual and you can't memorize for? How have you guys dealt with these classes?

80% is pretty good; you obviously know how to study. Just keep doing what you're doing and hopefully it'll pay off.

 

[smuwillobrien]

My biology professor is one of those "new age" types that relies totally on conceptual teaching; it's quite different compared to what I'm used to. He even kayaks to work...but anyways! He gave out pretty good advice at the beginning of the year which was to actually THINK and WRITE OUT different ways he can ask about a concept or the like. So basically, I study the lecture notes, go to the book and study the concepts covered in the lecture in there, go over all the assignments he has made us do up to that point for the test, go over any practice exams, etc. I then try my best to formulate on a piece of paper different ways he could ask questions regarding topics; thus, I end up knowing the concepts pretty damn well at the end if I keep at it. Doing the above crap usually somewhat prepares me for his totally abstract and conceptual word-problem-type tests.

Where are you traditional methods of teaching? 🙁

That's insane, and I would never recommend studying like that. That's such a waste of time, but I guess if it works for you that's good.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

So my question to all you intelligent SDNers is how do you prepare for a test that's basically all conceptual and you can't memorize for? How have you guys dealt with these classes?

Let me guess. Does your professor use the Campbell/Reece Bio book? Many professors who use that also use the Campbell test bank which is a major pain! I used to walk into bio thinking I knew everything there was to know about a particular concept just to walk out of there wondering what the hell just happened. Class average was usually in the 50's and I don't think any of us really learned how to do better. We just studied harder and harder so we could narrow the choices down to two, then we hoped we'd get lucky.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

That's insane, and I would never recommend studying like that. That's such a waste of time, but I guess if it works for you that's good.

Sometimes you have to study like that. I'm always surprised when people say bio is all rote memorization. It really wasn't as much memorization as learning the concepts for me. 75 midterm exam questions like: your friend lost 10 pounds by going on a diet. Where did the fat go?

What the hell are you going to memorize for that? LOL. That's purely about understanding the concepts.

 

[Vvandenn]

That's insane, and I would never recommend studying like that. That's such a waste of time, but I guess if it works for you that's good.

Well in chemistry I just study the notes and do practice problems, history I study the notes...other classes are mostly the same. This is the only odd one. It's such a time waster but I honestly don't know how else to do it in this particular case...I mean, it works but it's exhausting. 🙁

 

[zbruinz]

Let me guess. Does your professor use the Campbell/Reece Bio book? Many professors who use that also use the Campbell test bank which is a major pain! I used to walk into bio thinking I knew everything there was to know about a particular concept just to walk out of there wondering what the hell just happened. Class average was usually in the 50's and I don't think any of us really learned how to do better. We just studied harder and harder so we could narrow the choices down to two, then we hoped we'd get lucky.

no, my professor uses the purves book. i wonder, do you have access to the campbell test bank? or do you know where I can find conceptual type practice problems?

 

[MedStudentWanna]

no, my professor uses the purves book. i wonder, do you have access to the campbell test bank? or do you know where I can find conceptual type practice problems?

No, I don't. Sorry! I would just do all the problems in the back of your text. Also, my text came with a CD and a website where you could register to do practice problems. Can you try that?

 

[Looque]

Let me guess. Does your professor use the Campbell/Reece Bio book?

We had the good ol' Campbell/Reece book back in the day. Anyway, to the OP, my method is pretty simple: just place a particular emphasis on drawing connections between the various bits of material that are covered, creating storylines for each area.

But really, you just need to figure out your own way.

 

[vincikai]

you should be thankful to your current professor and maybe search Amazon fund you self a good rated supplementary bio book on concepts. 👍