Good luck to those in physics taking the exam. Time put away the book and notes and start bangin out problem after problem. This unit is especially important.
Ochem- do we have an exam review the monday after thanksgiving?
Bio- think we're getting our exams back on monday?
Have a great weekend harvard postbaccers
In regards to Physics, here is the email I sent out to my lab and discussion sections:
First thing I recommend you do is sit down with the problem sets that will be tested on this exam (psets 5 - 9). Put a nice clean piece of paper next to you. Work through every problem on the problem sets. When you hit a stumbling block (whether it be a forgotten formula or a botched concept) make note of it on your soon to be crib sheet. Do not simply chalk up a mistake as an "oh I'll get it next time". Analyze where you went wrong. Let is stew for a bit. This method of studying will really help to ensure that you don't forget "easy" concepts come exam day.
By the time you're done with the psets you should have a nice crib sheet in the making. Now is the time to start working on the old examinations. Although I recommend doing all of them if time is an issue I'd recommend starting with the most current exams and then working your way backwards. TAKE THESE EXAMS UNDER REALISTIC CONDITIONS. That means no music, no notes (except your crib sheet) and timed. Do everything in your power to simulate exam day. This will help to prevent the test day jitters and will also give you an indication as to how your time management is looking.
Once you've finished the practice exams, start hammering out textbook problems that cover your problem areas. By this point you should have a good idea as to where you need extra practice.
My general test taking tips:
-As you read through the multiple choice questions write down formulas that apply to the question. For example: let's say the question mentions a ball being shot from a spring to a certain height. I would instantly write down 1/2kx^2 = mgh. Getting formulas onto paper is often to trick to solving these multiple choice questions. Each of them is testing a specific formula/rule/law. Once you realize what you're being asked to invoke they often become a rather trivial plug and chug.
-Plug in numbers (when applicable) and take questions to the extreme. If you're told that M1 is greater than M2 and R1 is greater than R2 plug in 1000000 for M1 and 2 for M2 and 50000 for R1 and 4 for R2. This will hopefully help to elucidate a convincing answer. Please though, for the love of physics, do not plug in 1. There's just too great of a chance for things to get ugly.
-If the answer/strategy for a MC question doesn't come to you within 20-30 seconds, MOVE ON. You'd be surprised how often there are hints for earlier questions hidden later on in the test.
-Show work for EVERY problem. This means both MC and short answer. If you show work, the graders can help you by assigning partial credit. If you just circle an answer you're setting yourself up for disappointment. This is where writing down formulas as you read the question comes into play.
-You will very rarely be given a red herring number. If you're given a value in a question there's a good chance you're going to have to use it in some way. Now, don't take this to heart and assume that every number will be used for every question; use it as guidance. The roof problem in section yesterday was a great example of this: we were given the area for a very specific reason. If you saw area and remembered that pressure was a force x area you would be well on your way to solving the problem.
-Please, please, please know the two types of collisions and what laws/rules hold true in each
Inelastic: conservation of momentum holds true
Elastic: conservation of energy holds true
Ballistic Pendulum: conservation of momentum holds true for the instant before and after the collision. Conservation of energy holds true for the swing. You can work this problem two ways: either from the swing height to solve for bullet speed, or from bullet speed to solve for swing height. Remember, you're going to need to use both laws to solve the question. If you are still hazy on this review your lab and your notes from section. Prof R. loves asking this question - make sure you understand it.
That's all I've got for now. As always, feel free to email me questions. From now until test day I'm going to plan on replying to your questions to both my lab and discussion sections (obviously taking care to remove any personally identifiable information) as many people often stumble on the same concepts.
the answer key is already up in case anyone else is as masochistic as I am
