Passing the exam now or getting more prepared?

[fluidistic]

Hi PF people,
I'm asking a little question.
We currently didn't finish the Physics I course, but it is near almost finished. There are several dates for the final exam and it's up to me to decide when I will pass it. The first date is 3rd of December thus soon.
Of course I had tests before reaching it and I did well overall. But the grades I got don't count in my average grades, only the final exam does. The final exam is much more complicated that all the tests I passed till now. Furthermore there is also an oral exam and a lab exam (apart from the written one) and the oral exam is really tough : about 4 or 5 professors testing your knowledge on all the covered topics and ability to solve problem instantly. The final exam is succeed if the pupil got at least a 4/10 on the three part of the exam.
I feel that I won't be THAT prepared when the 3rd of December will come, but it's not like I don't know anything. I must do a lot of exercises related to the rigid body and understand some concepts. I basically understood well the other's parts of the course.
If I fail on this exam, I can pass it again like 10 days after and if I fail again I can pass it in February.
So, should I wait and study more to pass it around the 13th of December, and risk not to pass it? Or should I give a try the 3rd of December so that if I fail I'll have a concrete idea about how the exam really is and I might get more ready to pass it the 13th of December?
Personally I prefer to give a try the sooner possible... but my average grades can suffer. I don't really mind in getting a support from the University because as I am a foreigner from a richer country they won't give me money I suppose. But I do care my grades when it comes to go back in France or Canada and apply for a master or doctorate. Currently my average grades is bad (between 5 and 6/10 but I attempted only 6 exams, so it may change a lot during my undergrad studies). On the other hand if I care too much for my grades I wouldn't attempt to final exams until I know the course perfectly... and I would get my degree in about 15 years. (I'm not so exagerating : the bachelor title lasts 5 years and I'm already late 1 year.)
So, should I give a try and don't care that much for my grades or it is better try later when more ready?
Thanks guys

 

[zoner7]

So only the best score counts towards your average? If that's what your saying, take the test on the 3rd, even if you can't study at all before hand. practice is practice, and that test will be damn good practice. Additionally, it will help quell some anxiety for the next time you take the test, ultimately allowing you to perform better the second time.

 

[fluidistic]

So only the best score counts towards your average?

No. The tests doesn't count at all in my average grades. In fact there are 3 tests and if I succeed in 2 of them it simplify (by leaving off one exercise on the final exam) the final exam. I already succeed in 2 tests so the final exam will be 3 exercises. (I mean the written part of the final exam). If I wouldn't have succeed in 2 tests I wouldn't even try to pass the final exam : way too hard. 4 tough exercises in 4 hours while I could have only 3 exercises in 4 hours.
My goal is now to try to succeed in the final coming the 3rd of December. My final Physics I grade (or mark?) will be the average of the written part/lab part and oral part. But if I fail in one of them, I fail it overall even if my average is over 4/10.

So I'll attempt to success in the final of the 3rd of December. I'm not sure I will... so I was wondering if I should take more time to study better and get a higher mark but if I then fail it will be much worse.
I have a question that bother me a bit : what average grades (or marks... I'm not sure about the word, sorry) must I have in order to apply for a master say in quantum mechanics?
Thank you zoner7, I really think I'll try the final exam coming up the 3rd of December. If I fail it will be a positive experience for the next time I'll pass it, but unfortunately my average marks will go down.

 

[zoner7]

I see what you mean... If your average marks will be affected by failing the exam on December 3rd, definitely take it on the 13th; that way you have plenty of time to study (I would start now. A little each day), but if you fail, there will be another opportunity to succeed.

 

[fluidistic]

I see what you mean... If your average marks will be affected by failing the exam on December 3rd, definitely take it on the 13th; that way you have plenty of time to study (I would start now. A little each day), but if you fail, there will be another opportunity to succeed.

Thanks for the answer... Hmm you're right, it's much wiser. I shouldn't fail on December 13th. Otherwise I'll have to study for February but I also must pass a final of Algebra in February so studying for both is risky. Definitely you changed my mind. I'll pass the final on December the 3rd.

 

[fluidistic]

For those who are interested, that was a good advice. I did well (8/10) because I got more prepared. I'm more than sure that I'd have failed if I had passed it the 3rd.
Edit for post #5 :

I'll pass the final on December the 13th.