Mastery-Based Testing in Calculus with a Final Exam Component

Abstract

I describe the motivation, structure, implementation, and student feedback of my mastery-based testing (MBT) system with a significant final exam component in Calculus I and II since 2016. Grades for each written assignment, quiz, and exam question were assigned on a Mastery/Progressing/Needs Improvement (M/P/NI) scale. Homework and quizzes could be reattempted outside of class, and exam topics could be reattempted on future exams, including the final exam. Course grades were determined by the number of M and P grades students achieved in each of the five components WebAssign, Written Assignments, Quizzes, All Exams, and Final Exam by the end of the semester. My MBT system differs from most in that student performance on the final exam countes toward both the All Exams and Final Exam components.

Nearly all student performance on the final exam improved or maintained, rather than lowered, their course grades, suggesting cumulative comprehension with the material. Student feedback was consistently more positive than negative in both courses.

Keywords:

• Mastery grading
• MBT
• final exam
• calculus

Acknowledgements

Special thanks go out to Thomas Clark and John Foster for sharing their grading systems with me. Additional thanks are for David Clark and Kate Owens, who spoke at a Standards-Based grading panel at MathFest 2016 and have worked tirelessly to promote SBG, and to John Asplund, Jolie Roat, and Anil Venkatesh, who organized the panel with me. And to Project NExT, which raises awareness of effective, progressive teaching ideas such as mastery grading.

Notes

1 with John Asplund, Jolie Roat, and Anil Venkatesh

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alexander Halperin

Alexander Halperin is an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Salisbury University. His research interests include extremal graph theory, rainbow Ramsey theory, and the effects of mastery grading. His hobbies are board gaming, video gaming, CrossFit, and playing the piano.