Are time limits on math tests an accurate measure of understanding?

[QuarkCharmer]

Right now, my math professor is fairly horid. Ratemyprofessor has pathetic reviews, the only reason I took her was because it was the only "Honors" version of the course. Every mathematics course I have taken before has been a cakewalk for me. I was always well over 100% by the end of the semester, and I finished every test in the 100's.

In my current course, I have a 99. I have noticed that she has some interesting tests. I would say that I am at least "average" when it comes to mathematical prowess, however, nobody in the class seems to have enough time to complete these tests. I just barely (down to the last few seconds literally) finished this last test, with no time to go over any of the work, and it was really a race against the clock. About 1/2 the class did not finish, and maybe 2 people finished with 30 minutes to spare (though they usually rank lower than me grade-wise).

My question is, should I chock this up to a professor with no concept of time, and no skill for test writing? Or, will future classes press me this hard for time? The test is not difficult at all, but 1/2 the time seems to be spent writting out elaborate paragraphs explaining application problems.

What is your experience with time limits on tests?

(This is only a college algebra honors course)

 

[General_Sax]

Sounds like you've become used to taking easy test (no offence).

I couldn't imagine anyone finishing a course with a well over 100% grade...

 

[QuarkCharmer]

That may be so, and by no means are these tests difficult either. For the most part I am leading the class as far as grades go, with 2 other students a bit faster, but with a significantly lower grade. I was just wonder whether or not tests in the future will come down to "beating the clock" rather than genuinely "hard" work?

 

[General_Sax]

I think it depends on the prof. or course coordinator more than anything. Sometimes profs. will make a test that's designed to take more than the alloted time in order to "spread" out the grades.

You seem to be doing great though, so don't let it bother you :)

 

[aspiring_one]

Each professor has their own philosophy of teaching. The tests you take in the future will depend on the professor. That said, for you to do well in any test, you MUST understand the material.

Also don't worry about how other people are doing, compete against yourself!
I don't mean that in a cold way, but it shouldn't matter if someone scores higher than you. You go to school to learn, so learn.

 

[Pengwuino]

What do you mean by "1/2 the time seems to be spent writting out elaborate paragraphs explaining application problems."? This is a math class right?

 

[Chunkysalsa]

Yea having long elaborate paragraphs in a college algebra class seems odd.

Also I find that a deep understanding of the material leads to faster test taking. You don't spend time thinking about how you're going to answer the question because you see the answer before you even start. You also don't spend time second guessing yourself because you're confident.

Of course scale that depending on what kind of class. But I dunno, I've always been a fast test taker, whether I knew the material or not. The exception being when I don't know math. I'm good enough at math that even if I don't know the material I spend time trying to honestly figure stuff out. Other classes If I know it I know it, if not then not.

 

[QuarkCharmer]

She really does want you to write out the answers to application problems in paragraph form. It's silly because there will be a problem like "Function for revenue, Function for cost, input in square yards, output in dollars" or whatever. Then there are 5 or 6 sub-questions about that scenario where you find Profit, perform regression and extrapolate, or solve various simple things. The problem is she wants each one of the sub-questions written out explaining the whole situation.

For example: a "good" solution to "How many units would blah have to blah to make any profit": Would be something like:

"By subtracting the cost function from the revenue function, company M can create a function for profit.

(R-C)(x) /then a bunch of algebra not missing a single step to arrive at P(x)

Using this profit function, company M can determine that they will turn a profit as long as they are manufacturing between Y and Z yards of whatever units.

P(x) = /solving for P(x) or whatever (and associated algebra)"
(and she wants you to really, I mean really do the algebra. If you subtract 2 separate things from 1 side of the equation, she wants that shown in two different steps.)The tests are generally an hour long, nor a second longer, sometimes less. I will post one of her sample tests and if someone could tell me if it's reasonable to expect the majority of a class to finish in time that would be fantastic.

/edit: The website is down for maint. I'll post one when I get the chance.

 

[johng23]

That sounds like a really stupid test. I don't know why you're worrying about it so much.