IB 150 Exam study tips
Use the Learning Goals and Outcomes
Because these are the goals we have in teaching, they're also the goals we have in assessment (in other words, writing the exam). The outcomes listed below each goal are the ways in which we will try to determine how well you've learned each goal. Ask yourself whether you could do the indicated tasks. If you're unsure of how to do one or another, consult the lecture slides (the learning goals are indicated in the red box on most slides), and the discussion activities (indicated on the first page). Note however, that some outcomes will overlap a little, so each slide does not necessarily indicate EVERY relevant learning outcome. There might also be a few learning outcomes that do not tie directly to any single slide, so might not appear in either the slides or the discussion activities. Nevertheless, these are (unless crossed off the list) still topics that will be covered on the exam.
The outcomes are divided into lower and higher order cognitive skills (LOCS and HOCS, respectively), corresponding to the level of understanding we expect for the material covered in this course. HOCS require a deeper level of understanding of concepts than LOCS, and often ask you to use the information you've learned. As such, HOCS often require that you understand the LOCS as a prerequisite. Many students might be accustomed to exam questions that test lower order cognitive skills such as memorization of definitions, but perhaps less so the higher order skills. If you're not sure how to prepare for these types of questions try these steps:
- Identify the levels of understanding (Bloom's Taxonomy) required by the learning outcome by finding the "action verb" of the outcome on this chart.
- Then use this chart to find suggested study tips for that level of understanding.
Use Mastering Biology
In addition to being the website with your homework and pre-lecture quizzes, Mastering Biology also has a rich set of study aids.
- There are web animations and tutorials for much of the material coverd in this course. Go to the Study Area, and select each relevant chapter, then select one of the several links in the sidebar.
- You can "retake" any of the homework or PLQs for practice. Note that this will not change the grade you received on the assignment, but it will allow you to revisit some of the more challenging questions.
- In the Study Area, for each chapter there are both brief and comprehensive review quizzes where you can test your knowledge of the textbook material. Of course, keep in mind that these quizzes will test all the material in each chapter, and we only covered parts most chapters so far. So there is material on those quizzes not relevant to this class, and not required for the exam.
- The textbook (or eBook) has many questions throughout the text, and at the end of each chapter. Detailed, annotated answers to these questions can be found in the Study Area under the corresponding chapter, where you can download answers for textbook questions and exercises. Test yourself with relevant questions at the end of chapters, and follow up with detailed explanations of the answers here.