<p>I'm currently a freshman in Pre-AP Pre-Calculus, but I'm getting terrible grades on the tests right now. The first test was Algebra II review, which I got a C on, mainly because of stupid mistakes (solving when supposed to factor, etc.)</p>
<p>So for the next test over basic trig, I studied for like two hours. Taking the test, I felt that I knew all but about 2 answers. I checked my grade online and I got a 67 on it. I can drop it at the end of the semester, but there's a high possibility I'll get a low to mid-B in the class. I currently have an 80.</p>
<p>What am I doing wrong? I've done all my homework, studied, but I'm still getting terrible grades on the tests. What will getting a B do to my GPA? What should I do?</p>
<p>Don’t worry it gets better. I got a B the first few weeks and on certain chapters of pre-calc but only because 3/4 chapters are trigonometry. There are chapters that are a lot easier… So you’ll ace those tests. And I can’t believe I’m saying this but believe it or not calculus is a loooot easier than pre-calc.</p>
<p>Oh my, just stop worrying, because it’s getting you nowhere. Also you’re just a freshman, so chill. Pre-Calculus is difficult. This math is very abstract and it takes a lot of practice. Ask for help, stay after school, and take advantage of all your resources. Also your studying methods may be inefficient. How do you study? Studying is a skill that you learn and it develops over time. Getting B’s won’t kill you or your chances of getting into a college, that should be the last thing on your mind right now. If you feel like Pre-Calculus is going to fast, and you feel like you can’t keep up, then drop it. There’s nothing wrong with dropping a class, it happens everyday.</p>
<p>You can always msg me for help. I wouldn’t say I’m the best at pre-calc but I sure tutor a lot of my friends & it seems to help. My pre-calc teacher is awesome. He gave us a list of “what to know” & let me tell you… It was the most HELPFUL thing in the world! Sure helped me get an A+ by the end of the year. Don’t hesitate to msg me before a test.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. My father has huge expectations since my sister took it last year and literally had a 100 on every single thing except 1 homework grade. </p>
<p>The teacher gives us notes in class which we fill out, then I go home and review them for around 30 minutes a night. I then try to apply it to the assigned homework (textbook questions). I get 95-100% of the questions right, but when I get my test scores back it looks as if I didn’t even study.</p>
<p>That’s odd… You study & you still get a D? Well I don’t know what the problem is. Try asking ur teacher to see what problems you missed & go over it & see if I was a “dumb” mistake. Because sometimes that happens to me.</p>
<p>Is there a reason you are taking Pre-Calc so early? I’m on the advanced math track at my school and I didn’t take Pre-Calc until Junior year.</p>
<p>However, from experience I can tell you that you need a very strong algebra/trigonometry foundation if you are going to do well in Pre-Calc.</p>
<p>There are some new topics (parametric/polar equations/vectors/matrices, etc.) but alot of the material relies on previous knowledge. Maybe you should just review the older material and if you’re still uncomfortable, drop it.</p>
<p>Pre-Calculus is a class that is typically taken by college-bound seniors and smart juniors, so don’t feel bad if you find yourself struggling a little bit as a freshman.</p>
<p>What did you take last year? Usually the lead to the advanced pre-calc is alg 2/trig. If you weren’t getting an A/B+ consistently in that class the more advanced pre-calc may be a struggle. I guess it depends on how they break it down at your school. </p>
<p>The point about learning to study effectively is very valid. This comes naturally to some and is learned by others. Perhaps you need to adjust if what you’re doing isn’t getting you the results you want. Also, as suggested take advantage of resources such as peer tutors and before or after school help. My older son was excellent at math in hs and he regularly checked in with teachers if he had questions about concepts before things snowballed. Top students are the ones seeking help and clarification in hard classes. It’s not a weakness. </p>
<p>Lastly, do not compare yourself with your sister. You each have your own strengths. Some kids are more independent thinkers, out of the box, some can spit back what teachers feed them easily, some study effectively, some test well, some bloom early but burn out, and on and on. At ninth grade you are just beginning to find out who you are and what you want to do. A B does not define you. Don’t let it.</p>
<p>I’m taking Pre-Calculus early since I skipped Algebra II. On the CBE tests, I got 100 on both and a 92 on the EOC. It wasn’t really my decision, since my father just wants me to be ahead of everyone. I’ll go in Tuesday morning and ask to see the problems I got wrong. I’m half hoping that they’re “dumb mistakes” half not, because on one hand that would mean I know the material, but on the other that means I can’t stop making stupid mistakes.</p>
<p>do you get nervous during tests? I realized that that’s what I sometimes do which leads me to make careless mistakes. that’s what screws me up a lot of the time.</p>
<p>What math courses did you take in middle school? I’ve heard of students skipping basic 5th grade math and starting the algebra progression early based on testing, even combining two courses in one year, or taking one in school and one online, but never skipping a component altogether.</p>
<p>For the most part shouldn’t Precalc be mostly algebra two review right now? I’m a sophomore and at my school it is. If you’re in Precalc as a freshman, you might have taken algebra two and geometry in a short time and not grasped all of it. I took Alg 2 over the summer and definitely have some gaps. But seriously don’t worry about it. The fact that you’re a freshman in Precalc is awesome enough. Just ask the teacher for help.</p>
<p>omg. you’re just like me!!! I’m also a freshman in pre-calc, and I also got a C on chapter 1 test… I’m pretty sure it’s possible to get an A, if we get 100s on the next 2-3 tests. :c
(sounds impossible to me though D: )</p>
<p>I took pre algebra in 7th, learned algebra 1 over the summer, took geometry in 8th, and then learned algebra 2 over the summer. It makes me feel better than the whole class did bad, but only a little. My test is on Thursday :s</p>
<p>If you’re gonna get a lower grade in a math class, do it in Pre-Calc. It’s the most difficult math course, at least in my school. Honestly, the two Calc courses after are almost child’s play.</p>