Test Corrections

Can I do test corrections? Yes.

It will be challenging to earn credit. I recommend you just study more for the test in advance.

If you're reading this because you scored poorly on a test, well... read on.

Next time put in the work ahead of time so you (and I) have less to do later.

Refer back to this as often as necessary prior to submitting test corrections.

Test Corrections Guidelines

• Complete your Test Corrections on non-lined printer paper. If you find it absolutely necessary to have lines, you may write on lined paper. I prefer non-lined printer paper.

• No more than 2 problems per sheet of paper. Clearly identify the problem number. Done properly, you will only have one problem per page.

• Do not write any test corrections on your actual test paper.

• Write out the problem in its entirety on a separate sheet of paper.

• Draw any graph or diagram from the original problem on your separate sheet of paper.

• Explain in detail what you did wrong AND what you should have done. Explain the math in the context of the test problem.

• Circle your final, corrected answer.

• Staple corrections on top of your original test. Staple must be within 1” of the upper left corner.

For each problem you are correcting, clearly "bullet" each of the following three steps:

Step 1: Explain what you did wrong in detail.

Step 2: Show work that produces the correct solution.

Step 3: Explain the concept and what you learned. Be specific.

Here are some detailed examples of bad examples and good examples.

Step 1: Write a complete sentence explaining the error you made.

• • • Examples of non-specific explanations (these will be returned with no points awarded)

      • • • “I didn’t understand the problem”

          • “I didn’t read the question”

          • "I didn't do the problem"

    • Examples of specific explanations

      • • • “I added 6 to both sides when I should’ve subtracted 6 from both sides”

          • “I did opposite over adjacent when I should’ve done opposite over hypotenuse”

          • "I didn't do the problem because I didn't understand how to find Vertex Form by Completing the Square"

Step 2: Show corrected work that produces the solution. Thorough, step-by-step work is expected.

• • • • Examples of non-detailed work (will earn zero points)

        • • Just showing the correct answer (this is the worst)

          • Showing the work but skipping steps

          • Showing work that (still) yields the wrong answer

      • Examples of detailed work

        • • Showing all the steps required to arrive at the solution

          • Showing any sub-steps and other details related to the work

          • Adding more explanations in your own words

Step 3: Write a brief statement saying what you learned. Be specific.

• • • • Examples of non-specific explanations (will earn zero points)

        • • “I learned that I should read the problem more carefully”

          • “I learned that I should study more”

          • "I learned how to do it right"

      • Examples of specific explanations

        • • "I learned when I should add vs subtract to solve an equation – use the operation that is the inverse of the one in the equation"

          • "I learned that it really does help to label the sides of the triangle as “opp” or “adj” or “hyp” because that's what I got confused"

          • "I learned that the zeros of the function that result from the Quadratic Formula should match the x-intercepts"

YOU WILL EARN ZERO POINTS IF YOU FAIL TO FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES.