Chapter 10: Quizzes, tests, and exams

Introduction Table of contents Chapters 1. Hardware and OS 2. Basic software 3. The Internet 4. Online learning 5. Starting the class 6. The DE/CATE site 7. Checking in 8 Class sites 9. Message lists 10. Quizzes, tests, exams 11. Gradebooks 12. Documents 13. Chat rooms and blogs 14. Class search engines 15. Student configurations Appendices 1. Basic skills checklist 2. CATE skills checklist 3. Moodle and WebCT 4. SRJC classes 5. Email accounts 6. A day in the life 7. Check your browser 8. Blog tools 9. I forgot my password 10. Current CATE news

Test-taking is an important aspect of Web-based classes, and in the broadest sense can include practice quizzes, real quizzes, tests, exams, flashcards, and so on. This chapter explains how the test-taking process works. Topics on this page A. Overview B. Practice quizzes C. Flashcards D. Tests and exams E. Seeing the results F. More resources G. Self-assessment A. Overview Instructors are responsible for setting configurations of their quizzes, tests, and exams, so they can vary considerably from test to test, class to class, and teacher to teacher. Tests can comprise any number of questions, and the questions can vary by type: true/false, multiple choice, matching, short answer, etc. After entering any required information (such as your username, password, and/or email address) and answering the questions, click the "Submit" button to transmit your test to the instructor. Although it's up to the instructor, you'll find that most tests/quizzes/exams require you to enter your username and password before you can view the test and/or before you can submit it. In addition to limiting access to tests by requiring passwords, many tests are also configured so they can only be viewed and submitted during a limited period of time, such as during one particular week or during a single day. If you encounter difficulties accessing a test because of password problems or because the test is not open when you think it should be, you should contact your instructor, because that's the person who controls those parameters. In addition to limiting access to quizzes, tests, and exams, most instructors specify that a particular test can only be opened, viewed, and submitted one time, and instructors will also often mandate a specific time limit, such as 30 minutes or 60 minutes, for completing and submitting a test. Unless the instructor has chosen otherwise, the system automatically records all appropriate data every time you open a test, and that information is always available to the instructor. That means the instructor has a complete, readily accessible report detailing every time you open a test, every time you submit a test, and how long you spent working on it. Of course, it's always up to the instructor how that information is used and how strictly time limits and so forth are enforced. In some cases the instructor will configure a test so that you are required to provide certain information or answer certain question(s). For example, you might be required to enter your email address or you might be required to give an answer (at least guess!) for every question on the test. If you try to submit a test without providing all the information/answers required, the test will reappear with red warning messages alerting you to that fact. None of your answers will be lost, and the red warnings will indicate what you need to do before you can successfully submit the test. That won't count as a submission, but it will add to the amount of elapsed time. If your instructor has set limits on the number of times you can open a test, the number of times you can submit a test, and/or the amount of time you can spend working on a test, but for some reason it becomes necessary to break one or more of those limits, or if any technical problems arise, you should always notify your instructor immediately and explain the situation. If you have an official Academic Accommodation Authorization, you should present that to your instructor at the beginning of class so any quizzes, tests, or exams with time limits can be adjusted for you accordingly. B. Practice quizzes Although you might encounter an exception, instructors almost never set limits for opening or submitting practice quizzes, because the intention is that you should practice as much as necessary to ensure you've mastered the material. Nevertheless, it's often true that instructors will review your practice quizzes just to monitor your progress in the class. C. Flashcards Instructors will sometimes choose to deliver practice questions in flashcard format. This can be especially helpful when you need to memorize a number of terms or concepts. Although only the instructor can choose to make flashcards available, you'll have a variety of options to select when you practice with flashcards: Do you want to type in the answers, or just say them (or think them)? Do you want to display a running score showing how well you're doing? Do you want to display a timer to keep track of how fast you're going? Teachers don't grade your flashcards, but they might keep track of how much you practiced with them. D. Tests and exams For quizzes, tests, and exams being submitted for grades, instructors will usually specify the maximum number of times you can open the test, the maximum number of times you can submit it, and the maximum amount of time you can work on it. Instructors will also almost invariably review the automatic logging of that information to ensure you didn't break any of the rules. Consequently, it's to your advantage NOT to try to circumvent the test-taking parameters set by your instructor, or you might find your entire test has been disallowed. Also, avoid these test-taking no-nos: Don't repeatedly open and view a test before taking it and submitting it. After opening a test, don't try to save it, close down, and reopen the saved test at a later time to continue working on it. If you're using a dial-up connection to the Internet, be sure that your connection hasn't timed out when you're trying to submit the test. When you've finished taking a test, don't repeatedly click the "Submit" button. After submitting a test, don't hit the "Back" button and submit it again. If you have pets, children, or other loved ones who like to pounce on your mouse or keyboard, keep them away from the computer while you're taking the test, or they might accidentally submit the test before you're ready. Failure to heed those guidelines could cause unwanted consequences. If you ever encounter any technical problems during the test-taking process, be sure to notify your instructor immediately and explain the situation. E. Seeing the results For each quiz, test, or exam the instructor can choose one or more of the following methods of handling the results: The test results might be instantly displayed on your computer screen as soon as you click the "Submit" button. The results might be emailed directly to you. (Be sure to enter your email address accurately!) The results might be emailed directly to the instructor. The results might be automatically added to your records in the class gradebook. However the instructor chooses to deliver test results, he or she can also decide exactly what to reveal and what to withhold. For example, you might only see your actual test score (such as 95%) on screen and/or in an email to you, while all the questions and answers might be available (including which ones you answered correctly and which ones you answered incorrectly) when you visit the gradebook. In general, if this is a practice quiz, the instructor will usually set configurations so you can see all the results immediately on screen. However, if this is a graded test, the instructor will usually withhold details about your results until the deadline has passed and no one else can take the test, at which time all the information will become available to you in the gradebook. F. More resources Although these aren't technical guidelines, here are some resources to help you maximize grades by optimizing your test-taking strategies: Study Guides and Strategies Test-Taking Strategies, Bucks County Community College Test Taking Strategies, BYU G. Self-assessment Take the self-assessment quiz to ensure you're comfortable with all the concepts and skills in this chapter. The quiz will open in a new browser window, and after submitting the quiz you'll immediately see your score. Practice exercise: Try these for practice.

 

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