Exams

The Basic Skills Exam (BSE)

BSE Information

Thursday, Sept. 14, 8:00-9:15AM.

Location: TBA

All students in Math 141 and 161 are required to take the BSE. The BSE is entirely pre-calculus material that is reviewed during the first few lectures of the course. Relevant class notes for these sections are posted below:

(1) Intro and Section 1.4
(2) Inverses and Logs
(3) Radian Measure and Unit Circle Trig

Problems appearing on Webwork sets WW01, WW02, WW03, and WW04 are good practice as the BSE will contain similar problems. The BSE is 10% of your course grade and cannot be replaced by the final exam.

Notes for the lecture immediately after the BSE are posted here: (4) More trig, Composition of Functions

Additionally, if your BSE score is:

• BSE score < 20%: if you score less than 20% on the BSE, then you will be automatically dropped to MATH 140. Specifically, on Friday, Sept. 15 you will be informed of your BSE score, and if necessary, moved to MATH 140. Note: You should discuss the 140 grading policies with the MATH 140 instructor.

• 20 <= BSE score < 50%: if you score at least 20%, but less than 50% on the BSE, then you will be automatically dropped to MATH 141. Specifically, on Friday, Sept. 15 you will be informed of your BSE score, and if necessary, moved to the MATH 141 section whose lecture time matches your current MATH 161 lecture time. Note: In contrast to Math 161, Math 141 does allow the final exam part A to replace your BSE instead of a midterm. For more details, you should discuss the 141 grading policies with the Math 141 course coordinator Prof. Madhu.

• 50 <= BSE score < 60%: If you score at least 50%, but less than 60% on the BSE, then you will not be automatically dropped, but you will be required to discuss an action/study plan with the MATH 161 course coordinator (Prof. Herman) to remain in MATH 161. Note: In contrast to MATH 161, MATH 141 does allow the final exam part A to replace your BSE instead of a midterm. For more details, you should discuss the 141 grading policies with the MATH 141 course coordinator Prof. Madhu.

• BSE score >= 60%: If you score at least 60%, no action is required, but you still have the option to switch to MATH 141 until the calculus drop-deadline of October 21.

There will be two midterm exams and a final exam at the following times:

First Midterm

Time - Tuesday, Oct. 10, 8:00-9:15 AM.

Exam coverage - TBA

Location - TBA

Second Midterm

Time - Tuesday, Nov. 14, 8:00-9:15 AM.

Exam coverage - TBA

Location - TBA

Final Exam

Time - Sunday, Dec. 17, 4:00-7:00 PM.

Exam coverage - All sections on the course schedule.

Location - TBA

Exam Policy

The Final Exam will have two parts: Part A will cover the material tested in both Midterms 1 & 2, while Part B will only contain questions related to material appearing after Midterm 2. Part A accounts for 10% of your course grade and Part B accounts for 20% of your course grade. In addition, the Part A score will replace the lowest midterm score if it is indeed higher (but not both). Makeup exams are typically not offered. If you miss a midterm exam, then Part A of the final exam will count as your makeup. In all cases, Final Part A may only replace one of midterms 1 or 2. Final Part A cannot replace the BSE.

You will NOT be permitted calculators or other electronic devices (smart phones, smart watches, etc) on any exams. You will NOT be permitted books, notes, or “cheat sheets” on any exams. You will be given the following formula sheet of trig identities for the two midterms and final exam: Trig Identities

Old Exams

For your study, exams from previous semesters are posted below. Note: course schedules change from semester-to-semester so exam coverage may not match up exactly with our exam. Make sure you know what material is covered on ours. Studying these exams alone is not sufficient. You should consult your class notes, the text, webwork, as well as the optional book problems on the course schedule.

Review for Midterm 1

Spring 2018 Midterm 1 Spring 2018 Midterm 1 (with solutions)
Fall 2017 Midterm 1 (with solutions)
Fall 2016 Midterm 1 (with solutions)
Spring 2016 Midterm 1 Spring 2016 Midterm 1 (with solutions)
Fall 2015 Midterm 1 Fall 2015 Midterm 1 (with solutions)

Review for Midterm 2

Fall 2017 Midterm 2 (with solutions) Note: skip problem 3 - this pertains to section 3.8 of the text which we did not cover.
Fall 2016 Midterm 2 (with solutions) Note: skip problem 6 - this pertains to section 3.8 of the text.
Fall 2015 Midterm 2 (with solutions)
Note: skip problem 5(a) - this pertains to section 3.8 of the text.

Review for Final Exam

Fall 2017 Final Exam/Solutions
Notes: skip problem 6 - this pertains to section 3.8 of the text which we did not cover. There are also typos/mistakes in problems 2a and 14b.
Fall 2016 Final Exam / Solutions Notes: There is a typo/mistake in problems 2b.
Fall 2015 Final Exam / Solutions
Fall 2010 Final Exam (with solutions)