Assessment of students' understandings about the use of mathematical concepts in mechanics: results of the FisicaMente test

A prominent role in understanding a mathematical or physical concept is played by the competent use of multiple representations, i.e. the different forms (graphs, words, equations, numbers) in which the concept can be expressed. In consideration of this fact, we have developed a distractor-driven multiple-choice test aimed at assessing students’ competence in using derivatives, integrals and vectors in mechanics with multiple representations. The test has been administered to over 1200 introductory physics students from the faculties of Science and of Engineering of the University of Padova. Students’ performance distributions, language competence and distractor analysis will be presented.