Two weeks ago I offered my perspectives on exam scores (Some data …, Dec 1, 2013). Since then another exam has been completed and I can provide you with the latest results:
- Exam 1 – 44 (80-100%), 17 (60-80%), 3 (below 60%), median = 42
- Exam 2 – 40 (80-100%), 17 (60-80%), 7 (below 60%), median = 42
- Exam 3 – 9 (80-100%), 25 (60-80%), 30 (below 60%), median = 30
- Exam 4 – 14 (80-100%), 20 (60-80%), 30 (below 60%), median = 31
- Exam 5 – 32 (80-100%), 22 (60-80%), 11 (below 60%), median = 39.5
These figures may differ a bit from data provided earlier in the semester because the current figures are based on the 65 students who are still enrolled in the class (we started with 71 in lecture).
As you can see, exam scores have followed the historical pattern: a slight drop from #1 to #2, a large drop from #2 to #3, and increases from #3 to #4 to #5. Of course, these statements apply only to the class as a whole; individual scores may have followed a very different pattern. Nevertheless, this pattern supports two claims that I made at the start of the semester:
- organic chemistry “catches most students by surprise” at some point, and
- nearly everyone eventually figures out a successful strategy for learning with this material