MOOC USSV101x | How to Study for Technical Courses | The Value of the First Exam

Summary

The video emphasizes the importance of using the first exam in a technical course as a valuable tool for future success. Instead of merely focusing on the grade, students should analyze their performance to identify effective study strategies and areas for improvement. The speaker highlights that the first exam serves as a guide to understanding the course's evaluation criteria, adjusting study habits, and identifying knowledge gaps. The key takeaway is that exam results reflect the quality of study methods, not intelligence, and adjusting one's approach can lead to better outcomes.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The first exam in a technical course is a valuable tool for improving future success, not just an evaluation of current performance.
• 😓 Many students feel frustrated when they don't do as well as expected on the first exam, but they should use it as a learning opportunity.
• 📝 The first exam helps you understand the types of questions and material the professor prioritizes, which is critical for future preparation.
• 💡 Use the first exam as an audit of your study habits, identifying what worked and what didn't.
• 📊 The exam reflects what the instructor values, so analyzing it can help you align your focus with the course's key concepts.
• 🛠️ Treat the first exam as a roadmap to identify gaps in your knowledge and adjust your approach moving forward.
• 🔎 Pay attention to the types of questions that caught you by surprise; they may reappear on the final exam.
• ✅ Focus not just on what you got wrong, but also on what you got right, so you can continue successful strategies.
• ⏱️ It's not about how much time you spend studying, but how you spend that time and the quality of your study strategies.
• 🚀 Your exam score is not a reflection of your intelligence; it reflects the effectiveness of your study methods.

Q & A

Why is the first exam in a technical course considered a missed opportunity by the speaker?

The speaker believes that students often miss the opportunity to use the first exam as a tool to increase future success by analyzing their performance, understanding the evaluation method, and adjusting their study strategies accordingly.

What common reaction do students have after receiving their first exam grade, according to the speaker?

Students often get frustrated, focus solely on their grade, and quickly move on without carefully analyzing the exam to understand what they did wrong or right.

How can the first exam serve as a guide for students in technical courses?

The first exam provides insight into the types of questions the professor asks, the material they focus on, and how students should modify their study habits to perform better in future assessments.

What does the first exam reveal about a student's study strategies?

It acts as an audit, revealing whether the student's current study strategies are effective and indicating what changes might be necessary to improve their approach.

Why is it important to analyze both correct and incorrect answers on the first exam?

Analyzing correct answers helps students understand what study methods worked well, while analyzing incorrect answers highlights areas that need improvement. This balanced approach helps optimize study strategies for future exams.

What should students focus on when reviewing the first exam?

Students should focus on understanding what they got right, what they got wrong, why certain information was surprising, and how their study habits could be adjusted to better prepare for future exams.

How does the first exam reflect the instructor's values and priorities?

The exam indicates what the instructor considers important by focusing on certain topics and question types. Understanding this can help students prioritize their study efforts in line with the instructor's expectations.

What key aspects should students consider when adjusting their study habits after the first exam?

Students should evaluate the types of questions that appeared on the exam, the effectiveness of their current study techniques, the time invested in various activities, and any gaps in their knowledge that need addressing.

How should students interpret their first test score?

The first test score should be seen as a reflection of the quality of the student's study methods rather than a measure of their intelligence or the time spent studying.

What is the speaker's advice for students who want different results in future exams?

The speaker advises that to achieve different results, students must change their approach to the course, focusing on the quality of their study strategies rather than just the quantity of time spent.

Outlines

00:00

📊 The Importance of the First Exam as a Learning Tool

The first exam in a technical course is more than just a grade; it’s a critical audit of your study strategies and overall approach to the course. Many students miss the opportunity to use their first exam as a guide to improve their future performance. Instead of simply being frustrated with their score, students should carefully analyze their exam to understand the types of questions asked and the material the professor emphasized. This analysis can help them adjust their study habits and focus on what truly matters, based on the professor’s expectations and the challenges they encountered during the exam.

05:01

🔍 Reflecting on Gaps and Strengths After the First Exam

After receiving the midterm exam, students should take time to identify gaps in their knowledge and study strategies. It’s crucial to focus not just on what went wrong, but also on what was done correctly. Successful study techniques should be continued, while less effective methods should be re-evaluated. The exam serves as a roadmap for future preparations, offering insight into what kinds of questions might appear again, especially on the final exam. Ultimately, the first exam is not just a test of knowledge but an opportunity to refine one’s approach and be better prepared moving forward.

🧠 Test Scores Reflect Study Quality, Not Intelligence

It’s important to understand that a test score does not measure intelligence or the sheer amount of time spent studying. Instead, it reflects the effectiveness of the study methods used. Students often believe that the more time they spend studying, the better they’ll perform, but the quality of study is what truly counts. If a student does poorly on an exam, it’s a sign that they need to change their study strategies. Conversely, if they do well, they should continue with their current methods. To achieve better results, students must focus on the quality of their studying rather than just the quantity.

Keywords

💡First Evaluation

The 'First Evaluation' refers to the initial assessment or exam in a course, typically a midterm exam in a technical course. In the video, it is emphasized as a critical tool for students to evaluate their study strategies and approach to the course. The first evaluation is not just about the grade but is seen as a powerful audit that reveals the effectiveness of one's study habits and how well one understands the course material.

💡Study Strategies

Study Strategies refer to the methods and techniques students use to learn and prepare for exams. In the video, the importance of effective study strategies is highlighted, as they directly impact performance on exams. The video urges students to reflect on their strategies after the first exam, identifying what worked and what didn’t, in order to improve future performance.

💡Audit

An 'Audit' in this context is a thorough examination and evaluation of one's study habits and approach to a course. The video describes the first exam as a powerful audit that provides students with insights into what is working in their study routine and what needs to be changed. It suggests that students use the exam results to assess and refine their study techniques.

💡Evaluation Structure

The 'Evaluation Structure' refers to the framework or system used to assess students' knowledge and performance in a course. The video mentions this in the context of how the first exam contributes to the overall grade, but more importantly, how it reveals the professor’s focus areas and the types of questions that are likely to appear in future exams. Understanding the evaluation structure is key to effective studying.

💡Instructor's Values

The 'Instructor's Values' relate to what the instructor deems important for students to know, as reflected in the types of questions and topics emphasized on the exam. The video explains that the first exam offers insight into these values, helping students understand what the instructor prioritizes and, therefore, what they should focus on in their studies.

💡Study Habits

'Study Habits' are the routines and practices students regularly follow when preparing for their courses and exams. The video stresses the importance of scrutinizing and adjusting study habits based on the results of the first exam. It encourages students to continue habits that lead to success and to reconsider those that did not contribute positively to their performance.

💡Course Approach

The 'Course Approach' encompasses the overall method and attitude a student adopts in engaging with the course material, lectures, and assignments. The video advises students to reflect on their approach to the course after receiving their first exam results, considering whether their attitude, time management, and engagement strategies are aligned with achieving their academic goals.

💡Gaps in Knowledge

'Gaps in Knowledge' refer to areas of the course material that a student may not fully understand or have not studied adequately. The video highlights the importance of identifying these gaps when reviewing the first exam, as they indicate areas that require more focus to avoid being caught off guard in future assessments.

💡Test Score

A 'Test Score' is the numerical or letter grade a student receives on an exam. The video emphasizes that a test score should not be seen as a measure of intelligence, but rather as an indicator of the effectiveness of one's study strategies. It suggests that students should use their test scores to evaluate and adjust their preparation methods, rather than simply accepting them as a fixed reflection of their abilities.

💡Quality of Studying

The 'Quality of Studying' refers to how effective and efficient a student's study methods are in preparing them for exams. The video contrasts this with the quantity of time spent studying, stressing that the focus should be on the quality of the study activities. It advises students to consider not just how much time they spent studying, but how they used that time and whether their methods were effective.

Highlights

The first exam is not just an evaluation; it's an opportunity to improve future success by assessing study strategies.

Students often overlook the importance of analyzing their first exam and instead focus only on the grade.

The first exam provides a valuable audit of how students are approaching the course and what needs to change.

Understanding the types of questions and material emphasized in the first exam helps students adjust their study habits effectively.

The exam highlights what the professor values most in the course, offering insight into future assessments.

A detailed review of the first exam can guide students on where to focus their study efforts moving forward.

Students should identify gaps in their knowledge based on surprising or unexpected questions and prepare for them in future exams.

It's crucial to recognize both what went well on the exam and what didn't to optimize study time and effort.

Reinvesting time spent on ineffective study methods into more productive strategies can lead to better results.

The first exam offers a roadmap for avoiding future roadblocks by addressing areas where students struggled.

Test scores are not a reflection of intelligence but a reflection of the effectiveness of study strategies.

The quality of studying is more important than the quantity of time spent studying.

Students should focus on the types of study methods that align with how the professor tests knowledge in the course.

Collaborating with others to test knowledge before the exam can be a valuable study strategy.

If students want different results, they need to change their approach to studying and course preparation.

Transcripts

- After working with hundreds of students

taking technical courses, I can say with confidence

that it's one of the biggest missed opportunities,

and that is the opportunity to look at the first evaluation

in a technical course, usually a midterm exam,

and not using it as a tool to increase your future success

in that same class.

I hear it all the time.

Students are a little frustrated with a technical course,

they've been working really hard,

and they're not feeling fully confident.

They take their first exam and they get it back,

and they haven't done as well as they want to.

And instead of looking carefully at why,

they look at their grade, they get frustrated,

and they toss their exam on the table and move on.

What this does is it really

misses the point of the first exam.

Sure, the first exam contributes to

your overall grade in the course,

and it's an important part of

the evaluative structure of the course.

But even more important than that,

the first exam is a powerful audit

of how you're approaching the course.

Whether or not your study strategies are effective,

and what you might need to do moving forward

to change your approach to achieve your goals.

As you think about the exam, I want you to think about it

in the following ways.

The first exam in a technical course, as in any course,

is a key to how you're going to be evaluated in the future.

Yes, it's true that the professor may have

explained the structure of the exams to you,

but when you get that first exam back,

you now understand exactly what kinds of questions

are being asked and what kinds of material

the professor is going to focus on.

This is extraordinarily useful moving forward.

The first exam is also a guide to help you

modify your own study habits.

It gives you a sense of what you're doing

that's really working, and what you might need to change

to better anticipate what's going to be on the exam.

The first exam is also an expression of value

from your instructor.

It's your instructor making clear to you

what they want you to know

and what they're not so worried about.

It's your instructor communicating what matters

and what matters less.

And so not taking the chance to really look closely at that

to try to understand what's being expressed by the professor

is a real mistake.

Also understand that the first exam is

a powerful audit of your approach to the course.

Not only the strategies you're using,

but also the attitude you have in lecture,

the amount of time you're spending

thinking about the readings, doing the papers,

and in general how you're thinking about the course broadly.

And finally, it's a really good hint about how to proceed.

It gives you a road map that can give you a sense

of where the road blocks are,

where you may have run into them,

and how you can avoid them in the future.

And finally, when you get your midterm exam back,

it's a really important moment think about

where the gaps might be.

What kinds of information showed up on the exam

that really took you by surprise?

What kind of problems were on the exam

that you weren't expecting,

and that you were a little shocked to see?

If you identify those, then you can fill those gaps

and make sure you're more prepared for them in the future.

So when you get back your first evaluation in a class,

I want you to do a couple of things.

First, don't just focus on what you got wrong.

Focus on what you got correct.

Focus on where your studying really paid off.

If you invested a lot of time in learning terms

and terms showed up on the exam,

keep investing that time in learning terms.

And if you really focused on word problems

and you felt very comfortable doing that type of problem,

and those problems showed up on the exam,

chances are your professor's going to continue

asking those kinds of problems,

and you're going to continue to be prepared for them.

Notice what you did that worked, and of course,

notice what you did that didn't work so well.

Think especially about activities you did

and types of studying that you engaged in

that ended up being a little bit of a waste,

and consider taking that wasted time

and reinvesting it in something that's more productive

given what you now know about how the professor

is testing your knowledge in the course.

And finally, note any gaps in your approach.

Take a look at your exam.

Were there questions that you were really surprised by?

Were there types of questions that you were shocked to see,

or that you really were under-prepared for?

If so, notice that, and make a plan for

what you can do to be more prepared in the future.

Because if that kind of question showed up on your midterm,

chances are it'll show up on your final.

And remember, it's really important to understand

that your test score is not

an expression of your intelligence.

It has nothing to do with how smart you are,

and it has less to do than you think with how much

actual time you spent studying.

I have students who tell me all the time, I spent hours,

I spent days preparing for this exam.

And my question is, I'm not so concerned about

how much time you spent, but how did you spend that time?

What kind of study strategies were you using?

What kind of review were you engaged in?

Were you working with other people

who could help test your knowledge

before the test tested you?

Think not about just the raw amount of time you spent,

but what kinds of studying you did

and the quality of that studying.

So sure, your first test score doesn't tell us

anything really about your intelligence,

it doesn't really tell us about how much raw time you spent.

What it does tell us about,

and what it's a powerful audit for,

is the quality of your studying.

If you did poorly on a first exam,

it means you need to change the way you're studying,

and if you did really well,

it means you should continue doing

exactly what you're doing.

Remember, if you want a different result,

you have to change your approach to the course.