Student Q&As

Here are questions posted about the course, organized by topic. Each title links to a page where you can learn more if these questions were not what you were looking for. There are a lot of questions so I would suggest using CTRL+F to search the page for key words related to your question.

Course Format

How do you feel about taking these progress exams online as opposed to a traditional classroom setting? Especially for a math class?

I like that you can do it at your own pace, but find it harder to ask questions. 

Is there any area where I can find practice problems with step-by-step solutions to help me practice in each module, besides the homework? 

I find the practice progress quizzes to be very helpful. You could practice those problems and then use the keys provided to see an explanation on why an answer is right or wrong. 

Coordinator: If there are particular things you are not sure why you are getting wrong, please reach out to the TA or Coordinator for help. There is research that shows relying on step-by-step solutions may hinder your learning, which is why you won't find very much of it in this course. 

Should I wait until I finish the core modules before I start the advanced module homework? Or should I do it as I go?

I think that the choice is up to you. If you feel comfortable taking notes and doing the homework for the advanced modules than you should go right ahead, even if you're still in the core modules. However, if you don't feel confident in your 'core' knowledge yet, or if you would rather not have to relook at certain modules later on, then again it is your choice. It's all about what you feel comfortable doing!

Advanced Modules

If I am not a student in need of traditional Calculus courses, but I still want to get an A or B in the course, which Advanced modules should I focus on? (Alternatively - What advanced module is best for someone who most likely will not take another math course after this?)

If your major needs a traditional Calculus course then you would need to take Limits for the advanced modules, and if it's not required for your major to have a traditional Calculus course then you should take Modeling. 

Coordinator: This is good advice. Basically, students will fall in one of three categories:

      • Plan on taking MAC 1147 (Precalc) and/or MAC 2311 (Calculus I) -> Limits
      • Plan on taking MAC 1140 (Trigonometry) and/or Survey of Calc (MAC 2233) -> Modeling
      • This is the last math needed -> Either, though you will likely prefer Limits

Progress Quizzes

How many weeks apart are each progress quiz?

Coordinator: Quizzes are almost every week. Use the course calendar to see exactly when each quiz is. 

What are some tips that you have found helpful when studying for each progress quiz?

Some tips I have found SUPER helpful for studying is to utilize past quizzes more so than the homework. I watch the videos and take notes in Xronos and then after I have a handle on solving the problem, I print out all available quizzes and go to town! I find this easier because I am able to practice problem-solving in the same way it will be presented during the quiz. It makes me more comfortable and I feel more prepared when it comes time for the quiz. As far as time management goes, I like to give myself a few days of rest as a reward after a quiz before beginning to study for the next. I then utilize the next week to study for about an hour a day. Closer to the quiz, I study for a few more hours and work with my tutor. Hope this helps!

For me, when looking at what the modules are about I usually look into each concept a bit. Or talk to a friend that's equally good at math and get their opinion. If you want further assistance I would email at TA and ask their thoughts on the matter. 

To improve scores, what I usually do is practice about 3-5 different versions of the progress quizzes for that module so I know exactly how to do that problem. Hope this helps!

Sometimes I use Khan Academy if a concept really confuses me. Looking at old quizzes is also very helpful.

If you’re using the resources available to you through the course, you might be able to check out videos from Khan Academy. I have trouble grasping the concepts as well and resources outside of the course, like Khan Academy or others, offer simplistic and quick explanations. Best to you!

How do you handle test anxiety, especially during a high stakes progress quiz? 

Coordinator: From my personal experiences and talking with students, the best thing you can do is mitigate stress before the exam. I normally suggest students do not cram 30 minutes before the quiz so they can walk in with less stress. Exercise, music, food, tv -- anything that helps put you in your best mood before the quiz. During the quiz, remember that no single exam is make-or-break. Grades are a temporary thing that will not matter once you make it to the next stage in your life, whatever that may be. Even the most stringent programs (pre-health, pre-law, graduate school) will understand if your grades in one class or one subject are lower than your others. Students are more than their GPAs. If you need more resources or want to talk about your test anxiety, please contact the coordinator or the UF Counseling and Wellness Center. Advice from previous students can be found here.

Do you have to complete the modules in the progress quizzes in the same order that the homework goes, or can you skip a module and come back to it later?

I think you can go in any order that you choose if that works for you, although the automatic order given is the recommended order that you go so that you can learn the necessary skills beforehand for more challenging modules. The goal is to complete them all before the given date, and everyone works differently, so if that is what you want to do than it should be fine. 

If you were to pass all of the 12 modules on your first try, what would you do for the last 4 quizzes? Can you retest module to try to get a better grade?

I don't see a reason to take any more progress quizzes seeing as to passing the required modules for progress quizzes 1-6 would mean you've completed all the modules. 

Coordinator: Correct. Once you are done mastering 12 Modules, you do not need to take any more Progress Quizzes (you do still need to take the Final Exam). There are many chances so that everyone has the opportunity to succeed in the course. 

What is the time frame for a student to complete each Progress Quiz, and how many questions does that student need to get right in order to complete Mastery?

Each student will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete each progress quiz.  To earn mastery, the student must get at least 8 out of 10 questions right. 

How can you tell which questions you got wrong?

I actually just figured this out after the second Exam! ahah would have helped earlier!! When you are on the class page in the left hand column click quizzes. Then click the exam you want! It will show you which ones are wrong but not the correct answers. :(

The professor usually releases key's after each progress exam Links to an external site., so you can go back and look at which question you got wrong and the explanation for why you got it wrong! If you still need help you could probably reach out during office hours. 

Also to clarify 8/10 questions is the same "grade" as 10/10? So Mastering a Module is pass/fail?

Yes, pass/fail.

Does missing one Progress Quiz affect someones grade a lot? As long as I eventually get all the Modules mastered then my grade wont be too terrible right?

No, it does not affect your grade because this class only requires you to pass 8 core modules to pass the class as a whole. Therefore, if you were to miss one quiz (two modules), then you would still have multiple chances to pass other modules considering there are 20 total modules tested.

Since we retake modules until we pass them and only take two at a time, does that mean we will not ever test on all modules unless we pass them all on the first attempt? I am wondering how I am ever supposed to catch up to the schedule I would be on if I did not fail any modules.

Coordinator: There are only 12 modules of content you are expected to get through but 20 opportunities (2 modules per quiz, 10 quizzes total) to test on modules.

Is there an exact number of times we can retake a module if we do not master it the first time we take it?

Coordinator: There is no built-in limit, but there is a practical limit before you are not able to pass the course. For example, you can take Module 1 ten times total, but can only take Module 8 at most six times total. 

If I fail a module in the progress exam, should I move on to other modules (notes & homework) or try to stay focused on the module that I did not pass?

Coordinator: You should always focus on the two modules you are at! That means refocusing on a module you didn't pass.

Final Exam

On the final exam, does an score below a 60% result in your overall letter grade being given a minus? Or some scores low enough to be "failing" that your overall score would go down? (For example, completing 8 modules and 1 advanced, so sitting with a B, but having a bad day on the final exam and earning something like a 40%...would that still be a B-? Or could a bad enough final exam score cause a drop down to a C?)

If you fail the final exam, it does not mean you fail the course. Failing the exam will cause you to go down 1/3 of a letter grade. 

Coordinator: Exactly right. In your example, this would be a B- and no lower.

If we complete and pass all the modules for progress quizzes before the final exam, do we still have to take the final exam?

Coordinator: Yes, the Final Exam is a different type of exam. It is showing you retained all of the content you mastered. 

How much does the final exam change your grade? Like if you got over 80% how much would it affect your grade?

Your final exam score contributes to a plus/minus being added to your overall grade. if the average on your final is an 80% or higher you will have achieved a plus, of it was 60-80% nothing changes, and if it was lower than 60% a minus is added.

Final Grade Links to an external site.

I'm trying to find out how to calculate my final course grade. Could someone kindly direct me to this page? Thank you in advance! 

Coordinator: You can use this page to help calculate your grade.

Is there a way to still earn an A or B even if you don't pass all 8 Core Modules, but pass some/all of the Advanced Modules? 

I think you need to pass all 8 Core Modules first because you automatically get a "D" if you only pass 6-7 Core Modules. 

Coordinator: This is correct. However, I individually consider final grades for students who master 7 Core Modules and some Advanced Modules. These students are contacted to discuss why they didn't master the last Core Module. 

How many module do I need to pass in order to get an A in this class?

Coordinator: 8 Core and 4 Advanced for a total of 12 modules.

I didn't prepare for the last quiz as well as I should have. By looking at the progress quizzes page and seeing the layout, I can tell that I still have a chance at passing the course so long as I continue to do well. Which quiz is the true determining point as to how we will do in the class? Which one is able to show the most likely projection of our grade in the course?

Coordinator: Since it is a mastery-based course, there really isn't one. Try to take your scores on exams 2 and 3 and see if you mastered the same number of modules what your final grade will be. 

Extra Credit

Does the course offer any extra credit?

Unfortunately, no.

Coordinator: This is technically correct. However, most things are graded on a pass/fail metric where passing is 80% or higher AND not every assignment is used to calculate your final grade. So something like a 4/5 on a Module and a 5/5 on a Module both are a "pass", even if you initially scored a 0/5. The goal of extra credit is to provide a cushion, especially when every single assignment's score will be used in your final grade calculation. A mastery-based grading system builds in these cushions rather than requiring you to do extra work for the cushions.

Can we gain extra credit in the course by completing "extra" advanced modules if we can complete the first group of advanced modules as well as an additional one from the second group of advanced modules?

I don't think so, if you wanted to learn all the advanced modules you probably can. But you'll already be at an A if you complete one set, and an A+ if you meet the homework requirements and stuff like that. [Coordinator note: UF does not give A+ grades.]

Is it possible for students who are struggling to do an extra progress quiz instead of a final exam?

Coordinator: No, the ten Progress Quizzes are meant to slowly progress your knowledge through the course. There are no additional opportunities to master modules.

Could we take the modeling and limiting homework but only take the modeling exams to increase our grade? or do we have to do both the homework and the exam for the grade to count? 

Coordinator: Completing both advanced homeworks does not increase your grade in the course.