Tests
You earn points for:
- introductory test (6 points),
- mini-tests on seminars (10x3 points),
- activity in seminars (4 points),
- midterm test (20 points),
- final test (60 points),
Mini-tests in seminars:
A mini-test will be written at each of the seminars, starting on September 25, 2024. It will usually be at the beginning of the seminar and will last 10 minutes (sometimes 15), containing a short, straight-forward numerical problem corresponding to material already covered in previous seminars. It will be a basic subject, the mastery of which is the minimum necessary to understand the next subject. A week in advance, it will be announced (in the table on the main page) what type of problem it will be.
It will be possible to get 3 points from each mini-test, a total of 10 mini-tests will be written (on all seminars except the first one). So it is possible to get up to 30 points from them. In case of absence from the mini-tests, no excuses (even for health reasons) or substitute tests will be possible. Attendance at the seminars is not controlled, but if you do not show up, you will lose the opportunity to get points for the mini-test. The tasks will be set so that a reasonably diligent student, regularly studying the material, can get the full number of points on the mini-tests.
Bring your own sheets of writing paper and stationery including a ruler to all tests. Calculators are not allowed on the mini-tests, nor is a drawcard allowed. Calculators are not allowed on the midterm and final test, but an A4 drawcard is allowed (for more details, see below -- Conditions for passing the tests).
Seminar activity:
Each seminar can also award you up to 4 points for activity in seminars. These points cannot be earned after the end of the teaching period in the semester.
Organization of the midterm test:
The midterm test lasts 80 minutes. It will be written during the seminar on November 20, 2024. No registration is needed.
The content of the tests will be announced during the lecture and on the main page (14 days in advance).
"80/60" variant:
In the event that the student cannot (for a serious reason) take part in the midterm test, there is an emergency option "80/60", which means that the final test will be counted for 80 points instead of 60 points (this is the same final test, only its point evaluation is multiplied by the number 80/60). However, this option must be explicitly agreed upon with the lecturer and is really only intended for those who had serious obstacles and could not attend because of them. This procedure itself is at your own risk (if you screw up the final test, it will mean you lose more points).
Organization of final tests:
The final test will last 150 minutes, several tasks will be assigned on the material of the entire semester, with different point evaluations, for a total of 60 points.
You register for the final test in INSIS, there will be a sufficient number of dates to choose from during the exam period.
A replacement date will be at the end of the exam period. It is intended:
1. as a regular for those who were ill during the regular test, in that case it is necessary to have a proper medical apology entered in INSIS (via the Dept. of Study Affairs), and ask me to participate in the replacement date (if your apology is in order, I will allow you to do so),
2. as remedial for those who had 4+, i.e. 50-59 points (in total for all tests) - in this case, the result of the remedial test is no longer added to the intermediate tests, but determines the overall grade, which will be 3 or 4, depending on whether you achieve at least 60% of 60 points, i.e. 36. to 74. Example 1: you get 30 points out of 60 from the remedial test, which means grade 4 and you get 50 points (out of 100). Example 2: you get 60 points out of 60 from the remedial test (well, this is a very theoretical example), that grade 3 and 74 points are entered, i.e. the maximum corresponding to grade 3.)
Warning: if you arrive at this replacement date as your regular one (perhaps due to illness), there is no longer a possibility of a remedial test.
Conditions for passing tests (midterm and final):
You are not allowed to use literature or your own notes, instead an "official drawcard" is allowed - this means one A4 sheet of paper on which you can write (double-sided) any notes you deem appropriate. I think that the production of the drawcard itself is a good preparation for the exam - you have to think about what is important, process and create it in a good quality and concise manner. No other written or printed aids are allowed. I understand that you don't need to remember the correct formula when you're stressed on the exam, and the drawcard is what helps you go to the exam calmly and without fear of a minor memory lapse, although of course even the best drawcard won't save you if you're not prepared. No drawcard is not allowed for minitests, though.
The mathematics course is more focused on independent thinking, which also includes calculation by heart. Calculators have proven to be counterproductive, as students use them to calculate even simple calculations that they should have learned by heart a long time ago. Therefore, calculators are prohibited on all tests. Tasks that lead to "really ugly" numbers (logarithms, square roots, exponentials, etc.) will be treated with a numerical aid in the assignment.
It is not allowed to use any means of communication (mobile phone, laptop, ...), headphones in the ears are also not allowed. In case of violation of these conditions or copying, your test is confiscated and scored 0 points.
Among the writing supplies, you should always have a ruler (to draw straight lines accurately).
At the start of the test, please place your photo ID in front of you so that we can check your identity.
Please bring blank papers with you for the case the assignment sheet is not enough for you.
Apologies:
I remind you of the generally valid rules for apologizing. It is of two types:
[a] Excuse from participating in the (midterm or final) test, with the provision that you would come to an alternative date: if you have a serious reason, such as illness, a planned trip abroad, etc., of course I will allow you to go to an alternative date, I just need you to tell me and document it somehow - especially for health reasons, get a medical certificate on the faculty form. I understand that not every reason can be documented in written form, but please do not abuse this.
[b] Apology of the entire course: this is a more serious matter than just moving the test date. The general rules say that a course can be excused for a serious reason "vis maior", i.e. in the event of external influences that the student could not influence and which make it impossible for him/her to fulfill his/her study obligations. Typically, a longer illness (without specifying what is longer, but a week long flu is certainly not enough for an excuse) or a more serious injury. For health reasons, you must follow the faculty's Mandatory procedure.