Final Exam Hints

1. If you see as set of letters in a question or answer that include only ACGU's TRANSLATE IT!! The answer to the question may become obvious. If you see ATCG's, think about TRANSCRIBING it then TRANSLATING it. In either case, don't just sit and stare at the letters!
   
   
2. When you review processes such as cellular respiration, photosynthesis, synaptic transmission, endocrine signaling, action potential, or antibody production be sure to think of ALL the POSSIBLE ways in which they could be considered similar (e.g. How is ATP involved?). Also consider how they are different, specifically, and all the possible ways to speed up, slow down or stop them (e.g. consider genetics).
   
   
   
3. When looking at those same processes, have you made a table of all the inputs and outputs and decided how each would increase or decrease as you specifically altered each or some other factor?
   
   
4. Most students don't draw/write on tests much. When you see a question involving genetics put down the genotypes, if there is a question about action potential draw a small diagram, two variables - graph them,etc
   
   
5. Can you describe all the different ways that we discussed in which gradients are used?
   
   
6. Can you describe all the different ways that we discussed in which surface-to-volume ratios are used?
   
   
7. Can you describe all the different ways that we discussed in which proteins are used?
   
   
8. Can you describe all the different processes that we discussed in which ATP is involved?
   
   
9. Make up pairs of dependent-independent variables for the concepts we have discussed and predict how the dependent would change as the independent increased.
   
   
10. Describe how mutation, natural selection, fitness, and founder effect are involved in the evolution of any adaptation.
    
    
11. Describe how mutation and natural selection leads to speciation and adaptive radiation.
    
    
12. Find all the examples of co-evolution in our discussions including in places where we have not mentioned it. What would you look for?
    
    
13. What would you look for to predict whether a population would grow exponentially or logistically?
    
    
14. Check all the Scenario Study Guides on the web and made sure you knew how to describe and apply the concepts listed? Can you apply them in other scenarios?
    
    
15. Read the textbook pages we have identified and see what seems unfamiliar or confusing. If you don't understand it, ask - you should!
    
    
16. When you take a sample test, time yourself. Students think that the sample tests are easier than the "real ones" because they are not stressed when they take the sample.
    
    
17. When you check your answers after taking the sample test, be careful about your interpretation -
    
    If you got the question right, and you are confident - great
    If you got it wrong, be sure you understand why the correct answer is right and ALL the others are wrong. Don't be lazy - carefully formulate a reason for each.
    
    If you got the question right, and you are NOT confident (i.e. you got the answer right, but you though "oh, OK" when you looked at the key.) Don't be satisfied, go back and study these, write out an explanation. You are probably losing points on these questions on the exam because the next time you see a similar question you will be unsure again and could pick the wrong answer. How many times are you "second guessing" yourself on an exam and getting it wrong? It is probably an indicator that you are not real sure of the concept.
    
    
18. When you study a test question, take the time to explain why each wrong answer is wrong as well as why the right answer is right. Practice changing the question to make other answers right. Practice changing wrong answers so that they are correct for that question.
    
    
19. When you take the test, read each answer and put a mark indicating whether it is a possible answer (+) or not (X). When you have read them all, then make your final decision.
    
    
20. When you take the test, compare your answer on a question to answers to questions on similar topics. Are they consistant? Sometimes the answer to a question lies elsewhere on the exam. Sometimes we actually do that on purpose!!
    
    
21. Look back over your notes or the scenario study guides early. Look at the tutorials like the one on Synapses or Population Growth early. Look at your previous exam answers, early - identify topics you had trouble with. This will give you time to ask questions.