<p>So, I took my first programming exam yesterday (it was my very first college exam - ever - as a freshman). I knew after I finished it I didn't think I did as hot as I wanted to, but I didn't imagine I'd do as poorly as I did (60%). I studied a lot and I honestly thought I was prepared. I was understanding all of the material and getting 95-100%'s on all of the projects with ease. I feel really, really discouraged. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is it too early to be psyched out because of one bad test score or can I work my way back up?</p>
<p>When I was in school, 60% in many science/engineering classes was considered average. The profs specifically wrote tests such that if you knew 2/3 of the material, that was solid, and only the REALLY exceptional kids would crack 90%
What was the test avg/st dev?
Were the projects “open book” while the test was not? I’m not at all surprised that you could ace a homework assignment and do much worse on the test.</p>
<p>I got roughly that same score on my first two exams (for different classes) and felt like ****. It was my own fault because I didn’t prepare well enough, but it is possible to do well in a class by the end of the semester if you bomb the first exam. Strange thing is, the averages were really low, too, but it still made me feel like crap.</p>
<p>Think of it as a motivator to do well the next time. I got a tutor for my science classes and met with my professors about and I’ve been studying more and better than the first time around. Plus, first exams are weird. Depending on the class, the material may be easier (or not) but you might not have a real feel as to how the instructor gives tests and words questions, etc.</p>
<p>Don’t psych yourself out because you got a low grade on the first exam. Just think of it as preparation. Now you know how the instructor structures the exams and it will allow you to study more strategically in the future. Chalk it up as a learning experience and use it as motivation when preparing in the future. You still have time to bring your grade up.</p>
<p>In most Quantitative/Engineering type classes the professors rarely “throw you a bone” by making easy tests. Instead, they give moderate to difficult questions (and derivations/proofs/etc.) that make you think and really test your knowledge.</p>
<p>This isn’t like High School where half the kids in the class are just trying to get by because they are required to take the class.</p>
<p>My programming class was fairly difficult, but it was curved. Tests required a lot of knowledge (to write the psuedo-code on paper required to solve the problem). I think a 55 ended up being a C. It sure as hell made me not want to take another Computer Science class.</p>
<p>I was valedictorian in high school. My unweighted GPA was close to 99. On my first college exam, in physics, I got a 45. I thought my life was over! It wasn’t. My final GPA (as a structural engineering student) was over 3.8. You’ll survive!</p>
<p>I failed a physics exam last year (F rotation) and I still ended up with an A+ in the class. </p>
<p>It may seem bad now, but you don’t know how everyone else is doing or the average. Plus there will be more exams. PLUS the class might be curved.</p>