So you're excited to learn that you will be having a take home test for your final exam in one of your classes. "Piece of cake," you say. "How much more simple can it be, taking the test with my textbooks and notes on hand? Sweet!"
Hold on there. Take home tests are definitely not the easy A experience many students assume them to be. When a professor would assign a take home exam when I was a student, I
would have to do everything I could to stop myself from groaning out
loud while many other students were smiling and happy about it. Here's the inside scoop about take home tests.
Take home tests tend to be harder, longer, and more detailed than in class tests. The grading standards tend to be much higher for essay and short answer tests in particular because of the amount of time you've had to prepare them. Because of these factors, avoid the procrastination temptation. You do not want to have the horrified feeling of sitting down to throw together your take home exam the night before it's due only to realize there's far more work to do there than you thought.
Treat essay questions as seriously as you would a research paper. Once you've read each question, go through your textbook and notes to flag the material that will help you write your answer. If you have multiple essay questions on your exam, multicolored sticky notes are helpful. Outline the answers to essay questions before you start writing them. Proofread your answers several times and make the writing as clear and concise as possible.
Do not collaborate with other students unless your professor or instructor specifically tells you it is okay to do so. To do otherwise is academic dishonesty, which has dire consequences, not only for your grade on the test or in the class, but possibly for your educational record as a whole. I think many students would be surprised at how readily those of us who teach can detect when students have been working together on something when they should not have been. Even if you are given the okay to consult other students on your take home exam, don't assume that means it's fine to submit the same or substantially the same answers. That is the specific form of academic dishonesty called plagiarism, which also carries serious consequences.
If you put enough time and effort into completing a take home test, you're more likely to get good results. Be ready for it to be tougher than the average test and you'll be ahead of the game.
Showing posts with label final exams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label final exams. Show all posts
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Final Exams? Don't Be Tempted to Cram!
The words "final exam" inspire panic in quite a few students and trigger massive last-minute studying binges. However, studying for classes is something a wise student does regularly throughout the semester or quarter. He or she knows that true learning takes place over an extended period of time, built in little chunks at a time on a strong foundation of knowledge. What's that you're saying? You're not that kind of student? Well, you can be. It just takes a bit of planning and a strong commitment to your education and yourself. You should give it a try next time around. Here's how.
Start your plan for success at the very beginning of classes. One of the first things you should do when starting a new semester or quarter is to gather the syllabi for all your classes together along with your planner. Begin by highlighting exam dates and important deadlines for each of your classes, and then enter that information for all classes into your planner. This will give you an accurate view of the "big picture" and help you plan ahead to have plenty of time to prepare for important tests and projects.
For each exam you have in your classes, make a study plan. For instance, if you are taking a 16 week course and have a cumulative midterm in week 8, you might want to start adding some extra study time for that class in about week 6. Consider the length and point value of each exam and/or project when planning preparation time. A 20 point multiple choice quiz over two text chapters should take less study time than a 200 point final exam over the entire course.
Good class preparation and follow up is half the battle. If you keep up with assigned readings, take good notes during lecture, and review your notes and text on a regular basis, you are building that strong foundation of knowledge upon which your test preparation efforts will firmly rest. Reading and reviewing your notes and the text are best done in small, manageable chunks that allow your brain to fully integrate the information well before the day of that important test.
Do some concentrated studying the night before. Even if you are well-prepared, there's something about really cracking down for a couple hours the night before a final exam that boosts your confidence. Don't overdo it though, and be sure to get a good night's sleep.
BUT -- if you find yourself in a tough spot and you need to cram, do it strategically.
Start your plan for success at the very beginning of classes. One of the first things you should do when starting a new semester or quarter is to gather the syllabi for all your classes together along with your planner. Begin by highlighting exam dates and important deadlines for each of your classes, and then enter that information for all classes into your planner. This will give you an accurate view of the "big picture" and help you plan ahead to have plenty of time to prepare for important tests and projects.
For each exam you have in your classes, make a study plan. For instance, if you are taking a 16 week course and have a cumulative midterm in week 8, you might want to start adding some extra study time for that class in about week 6. Consider the length and point value of each exam and/or project when planning preparation time. A 20 point multiple choice quiz over two text chapters should take less study time than a 200 point final exam over the entire course.
Good class preparation and follow up is half the battle. If you keep up with assigned readings, take good notes during lecture, and review your notes and text on a regular basis, you are building that strong foundation of knowledge upon which your test preparation efforts will firmly rest. Reading and reviewing your notes and the text are best done in small, manageable chunks that allow your brain to fully integrate the information well before the day of that important test.
Do some concentrated studying the night before. Even if you are well-prepared, there's something about really cracking down for a couple hours the night before a final exam that boosts your confidence. Don't overdo it though, and be sure to get a good night's sleep.
BUT -- if you find yourself in a tough spot and you need to cram, do it strategically.
- Concentrate on one class at a time if at all possible.
- Remove all distractions of any kind from your environment so you can focus.
- Use the study aids contained in your textbook (summaries, highlighted terms, definitions, and so on) and skim chapters for highlights and main ideas.
- Make sure you have all the supplies you need for studying on hand.
- Do not pull an all-nighter; your brain will not operate at its best without sleep!
- Plan not to put yourself in this stressful cramming situation ever again.
Friday, May 28, 2010
The Day of the Final Exam
No, it's not the title of an obscure horror movie, although it may seem so to some students. Here is a checklist to make the day of your final exam go more smoothly. Of course, repeat as needed depending on how many classes you're taking. :-)
First of all, be well-prepared from a study standpoint. If you really know your stuff, final exam day jitters are much less troublesome.
Come with a battle plan for the type of exam you will be taking. Different types of exams require different approaches.
Multiple choice exam? Answer all the questions you know first, mark the ones you don't know, and go back and answer those after everything else is done. If you truly don't know the answer, take a wild guess. Multiple choice exams give you the best chance of guessing and getting it right. Make sure that you answer all multiple choice questions. If you don't answer it, you have 0% chance of getting it right. If you make a guess on a four-choice question, at least you have a 25% chance of getting it right.
Short answer exam? Brief and precise answers in full sentences are the key. If you don't know the answer, make a brief and precise guess. Endless streams of BS in response to short answer questions just tend to dig the hole deeper and lessen your chances of getting any points for your attempt.
Essay exam? Some essay tests consist of responding at length to one question; others have multiple questions. When you're really lucky, the instructor will provide multiple essay questions and have you pick your favorites to answer. It is helpful to have some blank scratch paper on hand when answering essay questions, but make sure you have your instructor's approval first.
Obviously answers to essay questions will need to be developed more fully than short answer questions, but you can use the short answer approach to build the structure of your essay. Read the question carefully, use your scratch paper or the margin of your test to jot down your short answer response to each part of the question, and then develop explanatory material to flesh out the short answer responses. Using examples to illustrate that you understand the concepts is an excellent idea.
Just as with short answer questions, trying to BS your way through an essay question is usually not very productive. Believe it or not, your instructors were once college students themselves and they recognize that edge of desperation in answers that go on and on and on but never quite say anything. Concentrate on providing the best possible answers to the questions you know best.
A mix of question types? Look at the exam carefully before you start to see how the points are allocated among the questions. Generally, do the multiple choice questions as quickly yet carefully as you can, take on the short answer questions next, and save the bulk of your time and energy for the essay questions.
Bring everything you will need. Don't pump up your adrenaline unnecessarily on exam day by forgetting essentials and having to rush out to get them at the last minute or hoping that someone else has an extra. You might even want to pack a special exam bag with supplies, just as if you were going on a trip.
Writing and erasing utensils and supplies such as pens, pencils, erasers, white out tape, and paper. Make sure you have multiple pens in case one runs out of ink. Multiple pencils are good so you can help out other classmates in need. Separate erasers really help make clean erasures on scantrons, and white out tape is the tidiest way to cover up errors in pen. If you are supplying your own paper for the exam, bring at least twice as much as you think you will need.
Scantrons. Oh boy. These are, in my experience, the biggest source of sitting down for the exam frenzy. Your instructor and/or syllabus will indicate what form you need well ahead of time. Make sure you have the right one in front of you on final exam day. If you are unsure which form is needed, ask, preferably before the day of the final exam.
Do not assume that you can use whatever scantron form you happen to have on hand -- the scoring machines do not work that way at all. I have had students complete the exam on the inappropriate scantron and try to hand it in. I make them acquire the correct scantron and redo all of their answers onto it.
If you don't have the scantron, don't ask your instructor if you can just write your answers on the test form. Ask if a classmate has an extra you could have, or take yourself to the campus bookstore to buy one. Keep in mind that if you are taking a night class, the campus bookstore may not be open if you need a last minute scantron. Be ready well ahead of time, and buying a couple extras to possibly share with less-organized classmates is a kind thing to do.
Follow directions about how to fill out the scantrons carefully. Bubble the spaces in completely and erase very thoroughly, not only on your answers but for things like your name, student ID, test code, etc. Automated scoring systems are extremely sensitive and errors can occur if you don't mark the scantron appropriately.
Comfort items like water, gum, mints, pain relievers, and antacids. Depending on your instructor, you may not be able to have these on your desk while you take the exam, but I wouldn't say no to any of my students, especially to the pain relievers, antacids and water. :-) If you are allowed to chew gum, please do so politely.
Come early and get comfortable. Rushing in late or at the last minute just loads unnecessary stress onto yourself. Make sure your chair and writing surface aren't squeaky or wobbly. Sit where you have a good view of the clock so you can keep track of time. Put away all of your electronics and make sure they are off. You would be surprised how loud and disruptive a device on vibrate can be in a quiet testing environment. I've seen whole classrooms of intensely concentrating students jump in annoyance when it happens. Engage in some relaxation techniques. Although you may be keyed up enough about the exam to fidget, twitch, joggle your legs under the table, etc., all those activities do feed more adrenaline into your system and make you more nervous. Relax - close your eyes - take deep breaths. Do a last minute scan over your notes and think positive thoughts. Even if other students around you are proclaiming gloom and doom, keep your energy focused quietly on the task to come.
First of all, be well-prepared from a study standpoint. If you really know your stuff, final exam day jitters are much less troublesome.
Come with a battle plan for the type of exam you will be taking. Different types of exams require different approaches.
Multiple choice exam? Answer all the questions you know first, mark the ones you don't know, and go back and answer those after everything else is done. If you truly don't know the answer, take a wild guess. Multiple choice exams give you the best chance of guessing and getting it right. Make sure that you answer all multiple choice questions. If you don't answer it, you have 0% chance of getting it right. If you make a guess on a four-choice question, at least you have a 25% chance of getting it right.
Short answer exam? Brief and precise answers in full sentences are the key. If you don't know the answer, make a brief and precise guess. Endless streams of BS in response to short answer questions just tend to dig the hole deeper and lessen your chances of getting any points for your attempt.
Essay exam? Some essay tests consist of responding at length to one question; others have multiple questions. When you're really lucky, the instructor will provide multiple essay questions and have you pick your favorites to answer. It is helpful to have some blank scratch paper on hand when answering essay questions, but make sure you have your instructor's approval first.
Obviously answers to essay questions will need to be developed more fully than short answer questions, but you can use the short answer approach to build the structure of your essay. Read the question carefully, use your scratch paper or the margin of your test to jot down your short answer response to each part of the question, and then develop explanatory material to flesh out the short answer responses. Using examples to illustrate that you understand the concepts is an excellent idea.
Just as with short answer questions, trying to BS your way through an essay question is usually not very productive. Believe it or not, your instructors were once college students themselves and they recognize that edge of desperation in answers that go on and on and on but never quite say anything. Concentrate on providing the best possible answers to the questions you know best.
A mix of question types? Look at the exam carefully before you start to see how the points are allocated among the questions. Generally, do the multiple choice questions as quickly yet carefully as you can, take on the short answer questions next, and save the bulk of your time and energy for the essay questions.
Bring everything you will need. Don't pump up your adrenaline unnecessarily on exam day by forgetting essentials and having to rush out to get them at the last minute or hoping that someone else has an extra. You might even want to pack a special exam bag with supplies, just as if you were going on a trip.
Writing and erasing utensils and supplies such as pens, pencils, erasers, white out tape, and paper. Make sure you have multiple pens in case one runs out of ink. Multiple pencils are good so you can help out other classmates in need. Separate erasers really help make clean erasures on scantrons, and white out tape is the tidiest way to cover up errors in pen. If you are supplying your own paper for the exam, bring at least twice as much as you think you will need.
Scantrons. Oh boy. These are, in my experience, the biggest source of sitting down for the exam frenzy. Your instructor and/or syllabus will indicate what form you need well ahead of time. Make sure you have the right one in front of you on final exam day. If you are unsure which form is needed, ask, preferably before the day of the final exam.
Do not assume that you can use whatever scantron form you happen to have on hand -- the scoring machines do not work that way at all. I have had students complete the exam on the inappropriate scantron and try to hand it in. I make them acquire the correct scantron and redo all of their answers onto it.
If you don't have the scantron, don't ask your instructor if you can just write your answers on the test form. Ask if a classmate has an extra you could have, or take yourself to the campus bookstore to buy one. Keep in mind that if you are taking a night class, the campus bookstore may not be open if you need a last minute scantron. Be ready well ahead of time, and buying a couple extras to possibly share with less-organized classmates is a kind thing to do.
Follow directions about how to fill out the scantrons carefully. Bubble the spaces in completely and erase very thoroughly, not only on your answers but for things like your name, student ID, test code, etc. Automated scoring systems are extremely sensitive and errors can occur if you don't mark the scantron appropriately.
Comfort items like water, gum, mints, pain relievers, and antacids. Depending on your instructor, you may not be able to have these on your desk while you take the exam, but I wouldn't say no to any of my students, especially to the pain relievers, antacids and water. :-) If you are allowed to chew gum, please do so politely.
Come early and get comfortable. Rushing in late or at the last minute just loads unnecessary stress onto yourself. Make sure your chair and writing surface aren't squeaky or wobbly. Sit where you have a good view of the clock so you can keep track of time. Put away all of your electronics and make sure they are off. You would be surprised how loud and disruptive a device on vibrate can be in a quiet testing environment. I've seen whole classrooms of intensely concentrating students jump in annoyance when it happens. Engage in some relaxation techniques. Although you may be keyed up enough about the exam to fidget, twitch, joggle your legs under the table, etc., all those activities do feed more adrenaline into your system and make you more nervous. Relax - close your eyes - take deep breaths. Do a last minute scan over your notes and think positive thoughts. Even if other students around you are proclaiming gloom and doom, keep your energy focused quietly on the task to come.
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