Page 242 - Keys To Community College Success

■ Using graphing calculators to save formulas that were supposed to have been
memorized
■ With an Internet connection, finding answers on crowd-sourcing sites such as
Quora
■ Sharing answers on private all-student groups connected to learning manage-
ment systems
Because this type of cheating can be difficult to discover when exams are
administered in large lecture halls, some instructors ban all electronic devices from
the room.
Valid concerns can put students under pressure: “I have to do well on the final.
I am in a time crunch. I need a good grade to qualify for the next course in my
major. I can’t fail because I’m already in debt and I have to graduate and get a job.”
Compounded, these worries can often drive students to thoughts of academic dis-
honesty. However, feeling the drive to cheat generally means you haven’t learned
the material. Ask yourself: Am I in college to learn information that I can use? Or to
cheat my way to a decent GPA and breathe a sigh of relief when the term is done?
Retention of knowledge is necessary both to complete future coursework and
to thrive in jobs that require you to use it. Only one course of action will earn you
that reward.

KEY 8.4 Try these techniques to succeed on
math exams.

Read through the exam first. When you receive an exam, read through every
problem quickly and make notes on how you might attempt to solve the problems.
Analyze problems carefully. Categorize problems according to type. Take the
“givens” into account, and write down any formulas, theorems, or definitions that
8 apply. Focus on what you want to find or prove.
CHAPTER the solution against your estimate. The two answers should be close. If they’re not,
Estimate to come up with a “ballpark” solution. Then work the problem and check

recheck your calculations.
Break the calculation into the smallest possible pieces. Go step-by-step and don’t
move on to the next step until you are clear about what you’ve done so far.
Recall how you solved similar problems. Past experience can provide valuable clues.
Draw a picture to help you see the problem. Visual images such as a diagram,
chart, probability tree, or geometric figure may help clarify your thinking.
Be neat. Sloppy numbers can mean the difference between a right and a wrong
answer. A 4 that looks like a 9 will be marked wrong.
Use the opposite operation to check your work. Work backward from your answer
to see if you are right.
Look back at the question to be sure you did everything. Did you answer every
part of the question? Did you show all required work?

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