make up tests
i give make up tests at the end of the course (3 weeks). all makes up are given at one time and than graded. i use a different test for make ups but it covers the material equally. the make up tset can be a test that is also use for regular testing but not the test i used this course.
Hi Michael:
Outside of pre-existing institutional guidelines, institutions usually leave it to the instructor for allowing make-up work or not. That said, what does it teach the student if we allow them the chance to make-up assignments anytime they want?
Perhaps the best idea is a compromise – if we allow an assignment to be made up or turned in late, like you mentioned, it should have a deduction in value.
Regards, Barry
What an excellent forum. I have been struggling with ideas of how to give make up exams. Most of my students have the usual stress of life, being young, military deployments, etc. I gave make-up exams last term because I had the time. This semester, I told my students I was not giving make-up exams and I would replace their lowest grade (a missed exam is a big goose egg) with their final exam grade. The reason: If they learned the material by the end of class then I felt they had a good grasp on all of the concepts. Just recently my schedule changed and I have time to give make-up exams, so this forum is really helping me.
So, why am I stressing over this issue? I recently handed out mid-term grades and 7 of my students had the BIG "F" because of a missed exam. I could not find a way to give the student hope of passing the course. All of them could not see past the BIG "F" even thou I told them I would replace the Goose Egg with their final grade. I felt I needed a way to send them home for Thanksgiving holiday with something they can talk about with a smile to their family and return to class the following week.
Remedy from the forum:
I like the idea of a make-up exam with a limit on the grade. For example, an 89% is the maximum score or you get what you earn. My reason: Make-up exam students have much longer to learn the material, attend test reviews, work with tutors, and use the material to gain more proficiency. This seems like a fair trade off to the other students.
Hi Robert:
One question about make up tests is why are they being given in the first place. In the work setting, a missed day is missed pay (benefits aside).
But testing is needed if we want to measure performance so I think rules about make up tests have to be given up front, then stick to the rules.
Regards, Barry
Make up test can be the same, but mix it up a little.
Hi Yasir:
The idea for testing is to measure student learning. In the sense of fair, a different test might be effective. In the sense of measurement, the same test can be used. Maybe the answers are changed to the question and vice versa. Changing the test too much may result in measuring students differently, and that isn't fair either.
Regards, Barry
I think it is a good idea to use a different version of the test for the make up so that you keep fairness for those who took the test on time while avoiding being perceived as punishing those who missed the test for legitimate reasons.
Hi Wanda:
Multiple attempts at exams is a very generous policy. If an institution decides to adopt a policy such as this, I agree that only a minimum score should be awarded. We always want to make sure that our grading policy measures learning, rather than gives points leading to a grade. I understand many instructors have to follow institutional policies.
Regards, Barry
How we do our make up test is a different version of the unit test as we has a a and b version of the exam and the make up is c version.They only recieve a 75% on the test instead of the grade they made if it higer than a 75 and if it is lower than a 75 they recieve that score.
Hi Ryan:
Good. The more information the student has about thier grade and the graing process, the more informed they will be and perhaps, improved student attentiveness, resulting in improved performance.
Regards, Barry
I do exactly the same thing, the date for make uptests is the same day of each term. The students are informed of this on the first day of class.
Hi Jim:
Some schools don't even allow make up tests. But most do, and I've found that there is usually a peanlty of some kind. I've seen this as varied as from 5% to as much as 50% deduction. Sometimes it depends on the kind of test being given.
For instance, at my college, across the the borad there are no make quizzes at all for any reason. Strict, but all student are informed when they begin their classes that this is college policy.
Regards, Barry
Make up test procedures of course have to be covered at the beginning of the class and kept equal for all, which as Jack says, a similar content test for make up tests as for the original test. The question is since the student has had more time to study, should the score be limited to a maximum score such as 90%. Would this help eliminate the students who missed the test because they just did not want to attend class that day?
Hi Rich:
Yes, giving clear guidelines for all aspects of a course, including make up tests is important.
Regards, Barry
Using Jacks method and prior notice to the students as to when the make up tests will be administered helps keep the students accountable.
Hi Jack:
One good thing about your method is that you're using the same test that other students would take at another time. This helps assure that your make up tests are fairly objective, one test to another.
Regards, Barry
