Investigation of first-year university students’ performance

Abstract

The students enrolled in introductory physics courses at Loránd Eötvös University (ELTE) are tested with the Mechanics Baseline Test (MBT) since 2016. It is used as a pre-test at the beginning of the first semester and as a post-test at the beginning of the second one. In this study, an account is given about the newest results of the test and about our endeavor to make introductory courses more effective. Therefore, the effect of the size of the study group, the reduction of curriculum and motivation on students’ performance were investigated. The preliminary results show that smaller groups are more efficient, and the reduction of the curriculum does not play a major role in the possession of the knowledge concerned. Conversely, the motivation of the students increases the understanding of concepts and therefore, the performance at MBT.