next up previous
Next: 6. ``I didn't know Up: Appendix A: The Hidden Previous: 4. ``Careless mistakes keep

5. ``Why didn't I get more partial credit?''

Sometimes students see knowledge as something that generates grades, and feel that their partial knowledge should be rewarded accordingly. However, a lot of partial knowledge on many topics does not add up to real knowledge, and to learn for partial knowledge can eventually lead to a ``mathematical shut-down'' in understanding. A teacher naturally does not want to encourage learning for partial knowledge. What may seem to you a halfway answer would probably not be accepted in most careers in the real world where small errors could send an astronaut on the wrong orbit or produce other disasters. On a practical level, neater, more organized work will help you stay under control while working a problem. A teacher is more likely to assign partial credit if you appear to be in control of the problem, rather than flailing; and the way you present the mathematics on your test (do you work down the page or scribble all over?) may affect this perception more than you realize.


next up previous
Next: 6. ``I didn't know Up: Appendix A: The Hidden Previous: 4. ``Careless mistakes keep
James Martino
2002-06-03