Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Test tips revisited
Just a reminder regarding my advice based on the last quiz analysis:
1. Don't use pronouns on the test. That is a general rule because most English majors don't even know how to use pronouns unambiguously.
For example, "it was repelled by them" would result in no credit.
2. Avoid vague terms like "some", "many", "several". Chemistry demands that you be much more specific! If you know that only one in eight-thousand alpha particles was deflected at an obtuse angle by the gold atoms, then state EXACTLY that. Don't say that "some" were deflected or "many" were deflected. That statement does not give information that precisely coincides with the atomic model derived from the experiment.
3. Write all UNITS and show cancellations in all of your calculations. Most of the credit in any applied math problem comes from the correct setup shown whether or not you hit the right calculator buttons.
4. Remember, your notes should be the primary source of study for the test (assuming that you took good notes in class) followed closely by the worksheets and then the videos, powerpoints and the textbook.
Come to class on time. You will be writing for the entire period. Don't forget your scientific (not graphing) calculator, paper, two pens (different color inks) and two pencils. I will provide the reference tables.
Good luck tomorrow. I hope that you all do well; if so, I can grade the tests in much less time!
Mr.Cicale
1. Don't use pronouns on the test. That is a general rule because most English majors don't even know how to use pronouns unambiguously.
For example, "it was repelled by them" would result in no credit.
2. Avoid vague terms like "some", "many", "several". Chemistry demands that you be much more specific! If you know that only one in eight-thousand alpha particles was deflected at an obtuse angle by the gold atoms, then state EXACTLY that. Don't say that "some" were deflected or "many" were deflected. That statement does not give information that precisely coincides with the atomic model derived from the experiment.
3. Write all UNITS and show cancellations in all of your calculations. Most of the credit in any applied math problem comes from the correct setup shown whether or not you hit the right calculator buttons.
4. Remember, your notes should be the primary source of study for the test (assuming that you took good notes in class) followed closely by the worksheets and then the videos, powerpoints and the textbook.
Come to class on time. You will be writing for the entire period. Don't forget your scientific (not graphing) calculator, paper, two pens (different color inks) and two pencils. I will provide the reference tables.
Good luck tomorrow. I hope that you all do well; if so, I can grade the tests in much less time!
Mr.Cicale
# posted by C @ 5:56 PM 
