Makeup exams
I agree. When a student misses an exam and has to make it up. I either give a different version or make it an essay test. This alleviates the worry of possible cheating.
Hi Donald:
Seems like some students are perpetually looking for an easy way out. Too bad we have to try to outsmart them this way.
Regards, Barry
I strongly discourage makeup exams by including a statment in the classroom policy form (that all students sign and get a copy) that make up exams are done on a case by case basis. I have very few makeup exams to deal with. If I do give one, it is a different version.
Hi Julie:
Policies vary. The key is all are on the same page from the get go.
Regards, Barry
Make up exams should apply with the college's policies and be different from the exam already given so as to discourage "sharing" of answers.
Hi Mark:
Yes, policies should be established, and really vary among different institutions and teachers. Some teachers feel strongly about a make up test be downgraded by 10%, 20%, even 50%. In fact some classes students cannot even make up a missed exam.
I always try to relate course policies to the work setting; i.e., what would an employer do if the worker missed an important assignment that had great impact on the business?
Regards, Barry
I like to tell students the first day of class that if they miss a test, they will receive a different one. I do not usually have anyone missing on test days! :)
Hi Coleen:
I am a firm believer that when good, clear expectations are given, most students are more likely to comply. Where it gets murkier is when an expectation is unclear or has a lot of gray area. Some students will take advantage of that opportunity, others will just not conform because of misunderstanding.
Class rules and policies are as important as the class material to be learned, and therefore, effort should be made to be as clear as possible. Like in a previous post "What would I want to know if I were a student". Care to be accurate takes thoughtful clarification at the te beginning of class.
Regards, Barry
I agree, I also discourage makeup exams/quizzes. First it is on the instructor to create another exam and also to find the time to sit with the student. For me extra time is just not in my schedulde. I have some students that make a point to be out on exam day. So I really go by a case by case bases. And, I let my students know that more will be expected on the makeup work.
Yvonne,
Any test or quiz is designed to measure learning. Somehow, the measure of learning has to occur. Many teachers will add in an automatic downgrade as a penalty, which I suppose may discourage intentional absences on test day.
Barry Westling
I give make-up exams since it is school policy to do so, but I disagree with this policy. I believe that college is the time to prepare for the real world of work every day, where employers don't give make-ups, they give warnings and pink slips.
Rodney,
Sometimes policies interfere with the reason we do our jobs, that is student learning. That said, if course objective are set and are clear, then if a student has to do a make up exam to demonstrate learning, then at least we can say they met the objectives, which is closer to the goal of student learning.
Barry Westling
Yes, in one of my teaching experiences,I came across with these kind of students, too bad they were outsmarted by taking another version of the test.When other students heard it from the source ,they avoided doing so.
Ida Romelle,
Students are very creative. It makes one wonder if they put so much effort in trying to find a shortcut, why they don't just put that effort into studying.
Barry Westling
