How to Manage Take Home Tests Ali Hashemi 2015

Transcription

1 How to Manage Take Home Tests

2 Testing The majority of your classes in college (community college/ 4 year college) will have a testing component associated with them However some courses will allow exams to be taken at home (paper/computerized) Take home tests used to be a very rare element within college courses, however they have been steadily increasing in popularity throughout the past decade

3 Syllabus There is no need to guess if your class will have a take home test later in the semester, simply look at the syllabus on the first day of school If the teacher plans to give a take home midterm or final, it will be written in the syllabus in bold letters under the section for class exams Occasionally a teacher will decide in the middle of the semester to make an in class test a take home test but this is rare as take home test distribution requires a great deal of coordination

4 When you receive a take home test there are often rules regarding collaboration with other students Collaboration If the teacher mentions that it is a group test, then collaboration will be appropriate If you collaborate on a test that was meant to be individually completed then you will be subject to the college s academic dishonesty policy (fail test/class etc)

5 Tutoring When you receive a Take Home Test you will not be able to receive help on it from the tutoring centers on campus If you have question about the test or are confused about the instructions, make an appointment with your instructor during office hours If you are writing an essay as part of the exam the tutoring center can help with grammar issues

6 Group Tests Some instructors will give group tests within their courses, in place of independent exams These tests tend to be more difficult than normal tests in terms of content and length The key to successfully completing a group test is proper coordination; the same rules apply as with group projects After completing the test make sure you are clear on submission procedures (Does each person turn in a copy/ Do we all write our name on one copy/ Do we submit it online etc)

7 Online Tests Online tests have become a common element within many educational courses Both internet courses and traditional courses have been making frequent use of online tests Online tests are in reality as difficult as traditional tests you must prepare for them in the same way you would traditional tests Many people believe since the test is online they will not have to study very much, as their textbook and notes will be available to them (Common Misbelief)

8 Online Tests require as much if not more preparation than traditional tests Online Tests They have many of the same components as traditional tests (multiple choice, short answer, essays etc) In addition these tests are timed, thus you will not be able to constantly look for answers in your textbook or notes (you will not be able to finish the test)

9 Studying For Take Home Tests As mentioned before Take home tests require the same amount of preparation time as traditional tests If the test is online, then it will be timed and as a result you cannot go into it unprepared or you will fail If the test is in paper format, a significant amount of prep time is also required. Although take home paper tests are not timed, they tend to be longer in length and more difficult If an individual is unprepared for a take home paper test, then it could easily consume their entire day

10 Turning in the Test The most important part of Take Home Tests is the matter of turning it in on time If the test is online make sure to submit it by the deadline time (if you miss the deadline the system will shut you out) Take Home Paper tests also have submission deadlines. Do not assume they are due by the beginning of class, as some instructors want the test turned in prior to the start of class Group test also require a great deal of coordination (if one copy needs to be turned in, give it to a responsible member of the group and make sure to tell them the submission deadline)

11 Conclusion Take-Home tests have become a common feature within modern education, whether they are in paper format or online The good news is that preparation for tests in general has not changed (a well prepared test taker will do fine regardless of the format of the exam) As you continue through your educational career, you will become accustomed to Take Home Tests and Online Tests (the key is to remain open to change and adapt)