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Hello TLers
I'm sophomore of a college in US and I'm taking macroeconomics. The result of 2nd midterm just came out and it's really bad. I got like around 50% of the test because the multiple choice questions was like 8 points each and the questions are very specific to some topics that I looked over when I prepared for the exam. and I answered wrong like 5-6 of them.
The free-response part was fine for me since it asked about the general ideas.
I admit that I was not prepare well for the test, and it cost me a lot this time.
The things are
-I did well on the first midterm. It was like 85-90% of the test
-each midterm is 20% of the grade
-homeworks is 20%
-final is 40%
Should I continue studying the course or should I drop it? Note that I will surely apply for grad school in the US. The famous one.
Sorry if this sounds absurd but 50% of the midterm is a lot for me.
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90% Correct Test 1
50% Correct Test 2
Correct?
The way I've made these decisions in the past is by looking at what I need to do to pass with the grade I desire.
Simple math time!
Assume 90% homework score
Final's score = X
Grade = 0.2(.90) + 0.2(0.50) + 0.2(0.90) + 0.4(X)
Grade = 0.46 +0.4(X)
(Grade - 0.46)/0.4 = X
Decide what you want your final grade to be and solve for X!
EX: Desire 80%
(0.80 - 0.46)/0.4 = X
0.34/0.4 = X = 0.85
So with assumed information you could pass with a B- by picking up a mid B on the final. Doesn't seem drop worthy to me.
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what's the grading scale like? meaning, what is an A, B+, B, etc?
what are you aiming for?
i say if youre doing well on your homework on a regular basis then just keep going. why would you drop it? the final is worth TWO exams technically. own that up and get the grade tyou want imo
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Find the class average before making any decisions. I had a class in which midterm averages were consistently in the low 30s, so a 50 pretty much meant you got an A.
Then, if you really are worried about your score, go talk with your professor. I've almost always had success getting extra points simply by setting up an appointment with a TA or the professor and talking about my exams. This only works, though, if you really think that you deserved more points than you did.
You'll also need to figure out if you can recover from a really bad score. Take some time to figure out where your grade stands and what you'll need to do to raise it to an acceptable level. It it doesn't seem realistic, then dropping may be something you want to do.
Most importantly, don't panic. Screwing up one exam is not the end of the world. Unless you want to get into med school, you can get by with mediocre grades. Hell, I'm still recovering from a 0.67 GPA during a semester where I failed half my courses. It's sitting at 2.5 now and I'm pretty sure I can push it up to 3.0 by next year.
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@Amnesia my prediction by looking at the difficulty of exam+prof. personality is that 85-90%+ gonna be A.
and there's no A+,A-,B+,B- in my school
and I'm gonna do math+econ major if that matters.
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all you really need is a B in the class for the major, right?
90% on midterm 1 = +18
50% on midterm 2 = + 10
X% on homework = are you using aplia? that should be easy to get then. Let's assume + 18
Let's say you bust your ass for the final and get a 90% on it then that's + 36
18 + 10 + 18 + 36 = 82% in the class ^^
unless you see yourself completely unable to get an A in the final I'd say sure whatever drop it and then get an A on the 2nd try but I'd recommend that you just went for it and got the rewarding experience of acing a final when it matters.
Edit: Also i'm taking Macro Econ at a UC right now so if you want / need help I'm in the same spot you are 88% in 1st midterm / 62% in 2nd midterm and there's a 3rd one comming up
and then the final.
I'll be more than glad to help you study ^^
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EPT
