How to Pass Statistics

Statistics is a challenging but important subject that almost every student will learn at some point during their education. While understanding statistical concepts takes time and effort, by keeping up in your class, studying effectively for tests, and asking for help when you need it, you’ll be able to learn how to solve statistics problems and pass your statistics class with flying colors.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Keeping up in Statistics Class

1
Purchase a good graphing calculator. Before your class begins, purchase a good quality graphing calculator and read the instruction manual so you’re ready to use it when the class begins. While your teacher will likely insist that you learn how to do some things by hand in your statistics class, you’ll need to use a graphing calculator for much of the work in the class.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If you’re taking an AP Statistics class, you’ll likely need to use a TI-83 or TI-89 graphing calculator to pass the course.^{[2]XResearch source}
2
Learn the foundational statistics skills and concepts. In order to keep up in your statistics class, it’s important that you make sure that you understand the foundational skills and concepts. While there are several, arguably the most important basic concepts that provide the foundation for all other statistical concepts are mean, median, variance, and standard deviation.^{[3]XResearch source}
- The mean is the average of a set of numbers.
- The median is the middle number of a set of numbers.
- The variance is the average of squared differences from the mean.
- The standard deviation is how much each data point differs from the mean.
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Reading over the material ahead of time is a great way to help you get familiar with the concepts you’ll be learning so you’ll be able to pay attention and take notes without falling behind. Doing so will also give you an idea about what questions you may have so you can come to class knowing what concepts you’ll need a bit more help with.^{[4]XResearch source}
4
Avoid skipping any classes so you don’t miss important concepts. Unlike some subjects, statistics concepts generally build on one another. Therefore, in many cases, you’ll need to learn and understand one concept before you’re able to understand the next. As a result, it’s important that you attend all your classes so that you don’t miss learning a foundational concept that could impact your ability to understand future concepts.^{[5]XResearch source}
- While it’s important that you always attend your statistics class so you don’t fall behind, it’s particularly important that you attend all the classes in the first month or so, as this is the time that your teacher will be explaining the basic foundational concepts.^{[6]XResearch source}
- For example, in order to calculate P-value, you have to run a hypothesis test to get a test statistic, such as an F statistic. But, in order to run a hypothesis test, you need to know how to state the null hypothesis. If you don’t know how to state the null hypothesis, a basic statistics concept, you won’t be able to find the P-value.^{[7]XResearch source}
Taking consistent notes in your statistics class will not only help you review the material and study later on, it will also help you remember better just by writing it down.^{[8]XResearch source} Even if you review the material ahead of class and feel like you have a good grasp on it, taking notes will help solidify the knowledge in your mind so you’ll be able to recall what you need to know quickly.^{[9]XResearch source}
6
Do all your homework so you stay on track. Paying attention and learning about statistics concepts in class is important, but actually doing statistics problems on your own is crucial if you’re going to pass the class. Therefore, staying on top of your homework is one of the best ways to ensure that you really learn the important concepts so you can pass the class.^{[10]XResearch source}
- In most statistics classes, your homework will be part of your grade. Therefore, in addition to helping you better understand the concepts, doing your homework will help you boost your grade and pass the class.^{[11]XResearch source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Doing Well on Your Statistics Tests

1
Review the key statistical concepts and procedures before each test. When studying for statistics tests, one of the most helpful things you can do is to review the relevant foundational concepts that you’ve learned in the past. Even if you feel like these concepts are easy for you to understand at this point, it will be helpful for you to take a bit of time to make sure you fully understand them.^{[12]XResearch source}
- A few important foundational statistics concepts that can be helpful for you to review before any test include mean, median, standard deviation, populations and parameters, hypothesis testing procedures, and chi-square analysis.^{[13]XResearch source}
To help you prepare for a statistics test, check your statistics textbook or ask your teacher to provide you with some extra problems that focus on some of the concepts you’ve struggled with in class. Doing some extra practice questions will help you actively learn the material and put your knowledge into practice.^{[14]XResearch source}
3
Study the concepts rather than trying to memorize formulas. While memorizing some formulas is helpful, in most cases, you’ll be able to solve statistics problems if you understand the foundational concepts. Therefore, when you’re studying for a test, focus on understanding concepts first. Then, you can go back and memorize any formulas that you know you’ll need to memorize to pass the test.^{[15]XResearch source}
- To help you understanding and remember statistics concepts, look for reoccurring themes or similarities across concepts.
- For example, if you know that the standard deviation tells you how much each point of data differs from the mean, you’ll know that you need to find the mean of the numbers first. Therefore, by understanding the concepts, you’ve already taken the first step towards finding the answer.
4
Break the material down into smaller sections. Learning statistics can take time, and seeing a complex problem can feel overwhelming. Instead of trying to learn all the material at once, break it down into a step by step process. You may need to invest more time, but it’ll be worth it in the end.^{[16]XResearch source}
- For example, if you need to find the standard deviation, break this down into 3 basic steps: finding the mean, finding the variance, and then finding the standard deviation. Once you find the mean, you can use the mean and all the individual numbers to find the variance. Then, once you have the variance, take the square root to calculate the standard deviation.
- By breaking the problem down into 3 smaller sections, you’ll be able to use simple concepts to calculate the mean first, then the variance, and find the standard deviation.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Help with Statistics

1
Ask questions in class to make sure you understand a concept. Statistics concepts generally build on previous concepts. Therefore, if you don’t understand a concept, it’s likely you won’t be able to understand the next concept either. As a result, it’s important that you take the time to ask any questions you have to make sure that you fully understand the concept at hand so you don’t derail your learning.^{[17]XResearch source}
- If your teacher has already explained something but you’re still confused, chances are other people in the class are still confused as well. Therefore, you’ll not only help yourself learn important concepts by asking questions in class, you’ll likely help others learn as well.
2
Ask your teacher for help outside of class if you’re still confused. If you’re struggling with a particular concept or unit in class, visit your teacher’s office hours and ask any questions you may still have. Your teacher’s job is to do what they can to help you understand, so they’ll likely be happy to sit with you and take a bit of extra time explaining things.^{[18]XResearch source}
- In some cases, seeing a teacher during office hours can boost your participation grade, which can also help you pass the class.
3
Form a study group with some of your classmates. At the beginning of the semester, ask some people in your statistics class if they want to form a weekly or pre-test study group. Some people in your group may have a better grasp on certain concepts, while you may be able to help others understand something else.^{[19]XResearch source}
- Therefore, studying together can help you all learn the material and pass the class.
Whether you’re struggling because your teacher just isn’t explaining something clearly or you haven’t mastered the foundational concepts, watching online tutorials can be a great way to get the extra instruction you need. There are hundreds of thousands of videos online that will first provide you with a problem you can write down, and then guide you through it so you’ll better understand what to do.^{[20]XResearch source}
5
Get a tutor if you’re still struggling. Whether you’re generally good at math or not, statistics class is challenging for almost everyone. Therefore, if you’re having trouble understanding some of the concepts or find yourself falling behind in class, getting a statistics tutor is a great way to get the one-on-one help you need to pass the class.^{[21]XResearch source}
- Some schools offer free tutoring at their learning center, so you might want to look into this option if it’s available to you.
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