I know I should heed my advisor’s advice, but I know they’ll tell me to not take calc 1. I know this sounds like a horrible excuse and my decision seems stupid, but I am really slow at standardized math tests. I am almost always one of the first to finish my math tests at school and I’ve never dropped below an A- in math class, and I’m taking AP Calc AB and I have had an A for the entire course (and my teacher is absolutely not an easy grader; our entire grade is based on tests and quizzes, no homework not projects, and he is merciless when you make a mistake). But when it comes to standardized math tests, I take forever which negatively affects my score. It’s mostly because I have to show my work fully in order to ensure my answer is correct as I used to make many mistakes before taking this approach. As you may know, this wages tons of time. For example, I had 10 minutes left on the ACT math portion but only had a little over half the questions answered, so I randomly filled in the bubbles for the rest, which got me a lowish score. I know I’ll do badly on the Michigan placement exam for the same reason despite knowing the material, which will probably put me in remedial classes.
Like I said, I’m understanding the material and believe I can be successful in many math classes. So, I’ve decided to take Calc 1 freshman year. But I also understand that Michigan Calc is much, much harder than high school Calc, so I was wondering if anyone who’s taken Calc 1 can give advice, studying tips, etc?
Thank you.
BTW, my cousin was the same as me and decided to take Calc 1 and passed the class with a B+, but he’s in a different country right now and won’t be back until October, so I can’t ask him.
Your strategy should be fine for getting at least a B.
When I took Calc 1 last year the average exam score was around 60% each time. Since you say you are good at math, and you believe you can complete around half of the exam in the given time, I would just aim to ace the half you can, and then do some quick calculated guesses on the rest.
Otherwise the best thing to do is work on your test-taking skills, or see if you can apply for some type of disability and get extended exam time.
@nomerci , believe me, if I could, I would. I just hate that I can complete the reading, English, and science portions with a little bit of time to spare, but I can’t work through math fast enough. On math tests I can be done quickly, but the same can’t be said on standardized tests. This has been a struggle all my life and has baffled my parents and some of teachers since I have always done very well in math classes.
Some people just do bad on the ACT math tests. I would probably have trouble with the placement test also.
Speaking of which, not to hijack the thread, but do I need to take a placement test if I have accepted transfer credit from calc 1,2,3, and diff EQ as an incoming freshman.
Also to OP, I have completed calc 1,2,3, and diff EQ (will complete this semester). Did i do perfect? No, I barely 3.5’d multivariable, and it was so tough, but I got through it. I did very well in 1 and 2. and had a really fun professor who gave crazy integrals with z-subs and trig subs and such. Diff eq is easier than calc 3 but harder than calc 1.
I could not crack past a 27 on the ACT math, of course all my classmates had 34’s on it. I also have time trouble.
Although, I had previous year classmates who retook calc 3 and diff eq as freshman at U of M, and it is much more difficult. So it may be wise to retake if finances are not as “issue”.