Math 102 Final Exam Study Tips
Read the highlighted or boxed information in each section.
(my personal favorite) Read the "what you should know" or "chapter summary" or "topics covered" etc, in each chapter... usually at the end
Read less and work more problems.
- Solve the examples without looking at the answers and without using the book/notes. Solve the problems and do not check the answers at the back of the book until you are sure of your own answers. You need to learn how to check the validity of your answers since in the exam you will not know what the answer should be.
- Work the end of the chapter or review exercises. Since the first problems are usually way too easy, solve one or two to make sure you understand the material then move on to more challenging problems.
- Understanding Math never comes easily. The more you work on problems the easier it gets, not because you get smarter but because you can relate the problem you are trying to solve to something else you know.
- Solve problems. I cannot say this enough times. This is valid for MATH 102 and for any other math class (if I don't do enough problems my MATH 462 class is pretty hard).
I have found that the most valuable study habit I have picked up so far is finding a good study group and meeting as often as possible. The best way to learn is by teaching, and group studying prompts this.
Don't procrastinate!
The most difficult part of studying (in ANY subject) would have to be actually starting. It has taken me years (okay, only three) to master the art of intense study action.
- Step1: Lock yourself away in your room.
Step 2: Whine, throw a fit, cry like a baby. Basically get your unwillingness to study out of your system.
Step 3: Think about how much you're going to regret not getting an "A" on that test.
Step 4: Study for as long as possible. I usually go for 3-5 hours.
Step 5: Rest well!
- The second most difficult part of studying (probably the most important though) is getting started early. It is better to start studying two-three weeks before (preferably) the final or the weekend before the final (more realistically) THAN THE NIGHT BEFORE. Cramming doesn't work. Trust me... I've tried it... Tried and failed (well, not literally, but I didn't get an "A" on that exam).
- Now, I should be listing this as the "third most difficult" part of studying, but I would have to say that this might also be the "first most difficult" part of studying. I've found that I will totally nail/ace/kick-butt-on a quiz/midterm/final if I am thoroughly enjoying the subject I am studying. Now, I know that most people "don't like math". I've taken courses that I at first thought that I "hated". However, I opened up and tried to accept the fact that I had to take the class, enjoyed myself, became interested/engrossed, and I did very well. In a nutshell, "LOVE WHAT YOU'RE STUDYING."
- Less generally and more specifically, the key to studying for a *math* final is by doing a decent amount of problems. However, a "decent amount of problems" shouldn't be done at the last minute. It will be easier to pass a math final if one has kept up with the material throughout the entire semester. If you kept up with your work, you're going to be a LOT happier when the final rolls around.
The best way I prepared myself for the algebra exam was by working out problems from the chapter review. Reviewing the chapter section is really helpful. If you are able to comprehend the main topics and work problems out, then you should be able to pass the exam. Also, you should have a lot of rest the day before the exam, which means you should begin drilling for the exam two weeks in advance.
Keep going over the example problems (from homework, previous exams, and SI), and keep practicing until you feel comfortable to solve the problems without looking at the solutions. (This is what you are supposed to do during the exam).
While practicing problems before the exam, if you forget how to approach the problem, it is totally OK to go over the notes or textbook to confirm the solution, and keep trying until you can solve all types of problems without solutions. Actually, it will help and pay you back during the exam.
Anyway, this is what I did, and I got the highest score on campus.
Practice each type of questions until you feel confident!
Don't stress out or panic before exam.
Effectively allocate time to study for the exam. If you don’t have enough time to review everything, use the essential skills—the white book that comes with the math 102 textbook package. The professor will write the final exam based on these essential skills.
Try to read the all the examples in the chapters because they provide fairly detailed explanations.
Memorize all the formulas and equations learned the whole semester, especially the ones in chapter 6.
Review all the quizzes and exams taken in this semester.
Relax and have confidence in yourself. Don’t forget to check your exam room and time.
In Mathematics there is no easy way to master the materials.
Students need to re-do (not re-view) the homework problems available in the book, especially a couple of the last numbers which usually the hardest ones.
Re-doing the tests is also a good idea to get the sense of the level of difficulty for the final exam.If students have long enough time to prepare, I also suggest finding another math book in the library and working on the problems in that book. This will give students more problems to solve which is always the best way to study math.
Get into the material more often, but for a shorter period of time.
Study with a purpose.
Start studying for the final as early as possible.
Go over your tests and quizzes.
Do the problem very carefully and enthusiastically. Do each problem as many times as possible until you master it (master the steps).
Do the examples that have solutions in the book. It helps tremendously. They are very useful tools for learning the steps on how to solve the problem.
Do not review the problem, see how it was solved, and think you understand it. Rather redo the problem and see how well you remember the steps and procedures for solving that problem.
Chose two problems from each section and write each problem on a separate sheet of paper, mix them up and then choose one at the time. This will help you not to concentrate on specific section, but rather on specific problems.
Have a good night sleep before the test.
Do not panic when you see the first problem on the test that you do not remember how to solve. Go to the next problem. If you do not know how to do the second, go to the third, until you get to one you know. After solving that problem, you will calm down and be able to go back to the problems that seemed harder to you at first glance.