Math and physics (or any subject that requires calculation) usually requires practice. Applying the knowledge in a short timeframe is different skillset then just having the knowledge.
Not everyone learns the same way. Some people require tedious study to get the information to stick, while others can grasp the concepts and retain information when first presented.
The valedictorian of my high school class was one of the dumbest people I’ve ever met, but she spent an inordinate amount of time studying so she could regurgitate it on a test without actually understanding any of it.
It depends on the subject and the style of the test, imo. If it’s conceptual, then yeah that’s probably enough. If there’s problems to be worked out, then it helps to some practice problems imo.
I will tell you the key to educational success: get the syllabus, study the topic before class including the homework if you can, use class to check your knowledge, after class review anything you found out in class you need to review. Use office hours to reinforce anything you’re struggling with.
It may not work perfectly for everyone, but if it can get an idiot like me into every top ranked program in the world I’ve ever wanted to attend, it can probably do a little for you.
Is it exceedingly uncommon to just read the material, not study beyond that, and still test well?
Math and physics (or any subject that requires calculation) usually requires practice. Applying the knowledge in a short timeframe is different skillset then just having the knowledge.
That being said, for some people in STEM the homework is >90% of the practice that you need to pass the exams.
That is, unless it’s a topic that’s mainly memorization like medicine or organic chemistry
You usually don’t have to memorize too much stuff for mathy subjects. At least when I went to uni we were always allowed cheat sheets.
If you’re the type that can lessen the concepts easily, practice and study might not be as important.
Not everyone learns the same way. Some people require tedious study to get the information to stick, while others can grasp the concepts and retain information when first presented.
The valedictorian of my high school class was one of the dumbest people I’ve ever met, but she spent an inordinate amount of time studying so she could regurgitate it on a test without actually understanding any of it.
👍
It depends on the subject and the style of the test, imo. If it’s conceptual, then yeah that’s probably enough. If there’s problems to be worked out, then it helps to some practice problems imo.
I will tell you the key to educational success: get the syllabus, study the topic before class including the homework if you can, use class to check your knowledge, after class review anything you found out in class you need to review. Use office hours to reinforce anything you’re struggling with.
It may not work perfectly for everyone, but if it can get an idiot like me into every top ranked program in the world I’ve ever wanted to attend, it can probably do a little for you.