Quick Tip: It's a slip-up error that's sort of not your fault.

Riddle of the day.

Riddle #1: It’s a slip-up error that’s sort of not your fault.

The Grade 7 question below was part of a real test. Read it and find the glitch (aka the snag, hitch, issue).

Grade 7 test question: Convert 80% to a fraction, percent, decimal.
Did you find the glitch?
Hint: It’s like a trick question that’s not intended to be a trick question.

So, what’s the snag on the test question?

If you need more clues go to P.S. to see test examples at the grade 8 and 9 level.

The glitch, hitch and snag is that some students will only do one of the three parts, not all three (1/3 vs 3/3). One! They failed to do the second and third. If you’re thinking, what, was there more than one question? Then BOOM, that’s my point, they were three parts!

And that’s why, it’s a slip-up error that’s sort of not your fault.

You may have read it, but because each part was not numbered, you only did the first. It was like the question was missing a reminder, “Hey, don’t forget us two; we are questions too.” 

First part done 😊 - Convert 80% to a fraction.
Second and third parts not done ☹ - Convert 80% to a percent and decimal.

Riddle #2: What’s a way to solve this un-numbered questions issue?*

You’ve got 16 seconds**. Tic-toc-tic-toc-tic ... tic-toc

** The 16-second time restriction mimics what you experience when writing a test – the possible anxiety, perhaps rushing, the pressure of not wanting to run out of time. With an environment like that, it's not surprising that many students, too many students, will miss the glitch. And yes, I know all students would have 'read' all three parts, but not doing two because they were un-numbered is a frustrating way to lose marks. To quote one of my grade 7 students, "That's not fair."

So the glitch, hitch, snag (and yeah, I do know those three words mean the same thing, just having some fun with writing this 😊) is that you mistook it as one question, not three, and lost marks on math you know ☹.

* What are possible solutions for this problem?

Solution #1 You take responsibility and number the un-numbered questions, a), b), c). You may not want to do it but view it as getting practice for your future self (when you must ‘read the fine print’ when signing a document). Yeah … math learning and life seem to be more intertwined than you once thought.

Solution #1 with each question numbered a), b) and c): Convert 80% to a, a) fraction, b) percent, c) decimal. That’s it! Riddle solved!!

Solution #2 You advocate and tell your teacher this snag and ask them to number all parts of a test question in the future. I would expect them to say yes, bu if they say no, you may have to use some negotiation skills - again, math learning and life coming together as one 😊.

I coach my students to do both #1 and #2 - and I'll tell them that #2 gets them to practice becoming an 'influencer' and influence their teacher to make a change, and you can do the same. Should that change be made, you’ll become a math hero to all other students who neglected to do these un-numbered questions. Think of it as the un-named hero unless the teacher thanks you in front of the whole class.

Summary

I felt it imperative to write this article about ‘un-numbered test questions’ as I’ve seen this happen hundreds of times, and to me, that’s hundreds too many. It is more common in the lower grades, 7, 8 and 9, than in the higher grades, 10, 11 and 12. And yes, some students are more susceptible to overlooking the un-numbered parts than others.

Please, number the test questions.

Next step

1. a) Look through your previous quizzes and tests, and b) notice if some test questions are un-numbered.
2. Observe if you a) missed doing these questions or b) if you did them.
3. If your teacher has not numbered some, a) point this dilemma to them, and b) ask if they can number all questions in the future.
4. Next test: a) Keep an eye out for this, and if un-numbered, b) you guessed it, you will number it. You’re ensuring you’re not losing out on marks you know – and that way, you become the named hero to yourself 😊.

Until the next Q-Tips,
EH

EH are my initials, for my name, Edison Hopkinson.
‘eh’ is a part of Canadian culture - it’s how many Canadians finish off sentences.
There were un-numbered questions on the test, eh? Eh, what you say? You’re messing with me, eh!

P.S.

Grade 8 test question: Henry is shopping and wants to buy a $45 video game that is 15% off. How much discount will he get, what will the new price of the game be, what price will he pay including taxes?
What’s the hitch with this test question?
Tip: It’s a slip-up error, waiting to trip you.

Grade 9 test question: For points A (2,4) and B (3,-6) find the midpoint, slope, distance.
Did you find the hiccup?
Clue: It’s like a test within a test.

Grade 8: First part done 😊 - How much discount will he get?
Second and third parts not done ☹ - What’s the new price of game and new price including taxes?

Grade 9: First part done 😊 - Find the midpoint.
Second and third parts not done ☹ - Find slope and distance.

Solution #1 with each question numbered, a), b) and c) is below:

Grade 8 test: Henry is shopping and wants to buy a $45 video game that is 15% off. a) How much discount will he get, b) what will the new price of the game be, c) what price will he pay including taxes?

Grade 9 test:  For points A(2,4) and B(3,-6), a) find the midpoint, b) slope, c) distance.

Problem solved! Yahoooo!!