So recently I found out that I got a 58 on a precalculus test, my first test of junior year, and it’s currently eating me up on the inside. I went from a 91 (A-) to a 65 (D) and it hasn’t even been a month of school yet. The thing about the test was, I’m really good at math and had straight As in it during sophomore year in math, and I understood the material taught this chapter, yet I failed because I only answered like 12/23 questions because I ran out of time. I was prepared and knew how to do questions, but too slow. I’m too scared to approach my teacher about it because she will just reject me when I ask her what I can do to improve/retake it (old school let us retake to get a 70%).
My parents would like me to before they send an email, but I’m so freaking nervous and I’ve been crying all weekend about it. This is the lowest test grade I’ve gotten in high school so far, and I’m afraid that I’ll lose motivation and risk not being qualified enough when it comes to college apps.
What should I specifically ask my teacher on Monday? And what steps can I take to improve my time management skills during math tests?
Go talk to the teacher. Tell her you knew how to do more of the problems, but ran out of time. Ask if she has any tips on how to work faster. Or if it is possible to have more time in future exams/tests. It does not hurt to ask.
Have you ever had evidence of a learning disability? If so, and you get a formal diagnosis, you may be able to get extended time on tests.
First of all, this is NOT a failure.
If anything, it is an opportunity to help you realizing your learning/studying habits might need to change, EARLY, in the semester. Go to tutorial, do more practices, ask teacher’s help. Most teachers would LOVE to have students go to them for help. What do you think is the reason for you not having enough time to do the questions? In my experience, that generally means you are not yet mastering the materials. And what is the best way to mastering it? Do more questions.
This is not the end of the world. Far from it. You still have almost a whole semester to learn and improve.
Please, please don’t lose motivation.
Okay so this was me last year on the most important test of the year. Our school offers 1 retake per semester and thankfully I didn’t use it yet so I could get my grade up. FIRST you gotta accept it. A grade isn’t a measure of your intelligence and just because you got a low test grade doesn’t mean you’re dumb. Try to compartmentalism this as just another problem you need to solve, and ask your teacher.
For next time:
For STEM classes repetition for EVERYTHING is key. It helps with mastery, it helps with speed, accuracy, everything.
Please take this as a learning experience!!! You still have time to bring up your grade, so don’t give up, it’ll only make your grade worse and you’ll be stuck in a cycle of demotivation and that’s not gonna help you.
Do you plan on asking your teacher to retake or ask her how to do better next time???