How do
I Take Unit Exams in Self-Paced Math 140?
(but first read about the testing system
below)
Using the computer testing system
Testing for the unit exams is done at a special website (link
given at the top of this page). For each unit exam, you can take as many practice
exams as you want, using any web browser. When you feel that you have mastered
the material, you must then go to the Mathematics
Computer Lab in 449 Carver to take a proctored exam. This is the exam that will be graded.
You must bring your ISUCard to the lab and check in with the lab consultant
(proctor) to take the exam.
Here are the first steps to take to use the testing system:
- Familiarize yourself with the testing system
Start with the testing website. The
links on the left side of the screen will take you to the different parts of the
testing system.
- Create a user record by choosing the Register link, and
then selecting your class Math 140 W1:
Wagner from the dropdown list. Fill
in the information in the form. Please be accurate.
- For "student ID number", type in
your Social Security #.
- Please fill in your email address, even though
it is optional. This will give me a way to get in touch with you if there is any
problem with your records, and to send you announcements.
- Now try several practice exams for unit
1 (choose the Assignments
link, select the class, then select the exam Unit
1, and finally choose Anonymous Practice). This is the best way to learn the system.
- Below each question is a link to the Math Syntax page. Read this page carefully.
- Read the next sections below on
important hints, information, and rules.
- You are now ready to take a proctored exam.
Go to 449 Carver with your ISUCard and check in with the proctor. He or
she will direct you to a computer and authorize your exam. You will have a limited
time in which to take the exam. Then you will need to get the proctor's permission
again to have the exam graded.
- Note: Please do not sign in to take an exam until you are
actually ready to begin the proctored exam. This will make it easier for the lab
consultants to do their job and should make the whole exam-taking procedure run more
smoothly.
Other hints and information:
- Be sure to look under the entry box for the expected format
of the answer. Most problems have an answer box for you to enter the answer,
in calculator notation (see the Math Syntax page for
more information; every problem also has a link to the Math Syntax page, so you can
refer to it at any time). Under the answer box is a description of the expected format
of the answer. In addition,
if the format includes units, there will be a link to the list of acceptable units.
- Use the Preview feature. On exam questions with an
answer box, the PREVIEW button will show you your answer in normal typeset notation.
This will help you put parentheses in the correct places, especially valuable for
answers involving quotients and formulas of functions.
- How many questions? Each exam has between 10 and 20
questions, with a range of difficulty. Each unit exam description (for example, see
the Unit 1 exam description) gives more detailed information on that particular exam. When computing
final grades, all unit exams will be rescaled to 20 points total, so they all have
equal weight.
- Exact answers: All answers must be exact, unless you
are specifically requested to give an approximation. If you are asked to give an
approximation, then you must round your answer to the requested number of decimal
places after the decimal point. For example, if you are asked for an approximation
"to two decimal places", and your answer is 2.347, then you would enter
2.35. On the other hand, if your answer was 2.342, you would enter 2.34.
- Which browser? If your are using a
Macintosh computer with a modem, then the "preview" feature in the exams
works much better in Netscape than in Internet Explorer. Both browsers work fine
on a Windows computer or on a Macintosh with a fast internet connection. Netscape
on Project Vincent is also okay. Remember to leave the preview window open while
you are taking an exam. That way the preview applet only needs to load (a time-consuming
process) once.
- Security: Be sure to QUIT YOUR BROWSER when you are
done working within the testing system. Otherwise, you will remain "logged in"
to the testing system, and the next person to use the computer can assume your identity.
- System errors: The testing system is quite robust (in
particular, it never loses any work that you have already done). However, there have
been a few rare instances of glitches in the testing system, caused by network or
browser errors.
- Use the buttons in the testing window to move between questions, don't use the
"Back" button on your browser.
- Once you enter an answer and then move on to the next question, your answer should
be saved. However, if you enter an answer but then stay on that question for awhile,
you should press the "Save" button in the testing window to make sure the
system saves your answer.
- If a test problem does not look correct to you (for example if you are given
a multiple choice question with two identical answers), please notify the lab consultant.
You will probably have to clear the cache on your browser, quit and start it up again,
and re-enter you exam (with the lab consultant's help and permission).
- Occasionally the testing system may become confused and log you out of the exam.
You will then have to wait 5 minutes to continue with the exam (don't worry, your
previous work will have been saved). If this happens, show the lab consultant, and
he or she will restore any testing time you have lost due to the error.
- If you get an error which ultimately causes you to miss a problem, please show
it to the lab consultant and have the consultant write a confirming note on your
exam, and then bring it to me.
- Exam errors: I will pay
you one extra unit exam point if you find an error in one of the unit exams. This
means an error in the answer to one of the problems on either a practice or proctored
exam. However, I will only pay the first person who finds the error. Of course, even
if you are not the first to report an error, I will certainly give you back the point
if you did the problem correctly on a proctored exam. Just bring the exam in and
show me, or send me an email detailing the exam and problem.
I usually try to correct all errors myself on proctored
exams. However, if that is impractical, I will instead post the error on the errors page,
and each person in the class can then check his or her own exam using the My Results link on the testing web site.
Important rules:
- Deadlines: You cannot take
a proctored exam after the unit deadline has passed. Here
is the Deadline policy:
- Because this is a self-paced class, and you have lots of time to take each exam,
I will not grant any exceptions for illness, travel, car breakdowns,
etc. It is best not to wait until the last day to take the unit exam, because
you might not feel good that day, or you might get a flat tire, etc. Plan ahead and
take the exam on a day when you feel good and are ready for the exam. On the other
hand, there are a couple of exceptions to this "no exceptions" rule. These
will be decided on a case-by-case basis, but you must certainly contact me promptly
if you are in either of these situations:
- For a particular unit exam, you must have a verifiable excuse (illness or family
emergency) for the entire period between the target and deadline dates.
- I will consider an exception if you have a serious long-term illness or family
emergency which will heavily impact your ability to continue on schedule in the class.
- I will also consider exceptions if we have an operational problem with our lab
and/or testing system which prevents you from meeting a deadline.
- Time limit: Different exams may have different time
limits. If you take the exam on the deadline date, you will have just one hour to
take the exam. But if you take the exam before the deadline date, you will have extra
time to take the exam (usually 30 minutes extra). In general,
most people complete the exams within 45 minutes.
- Work on the exam only, and no notes or books. While
taking the exam, you cannot consult books or notes, and you cannot use the computer
for anything other than the exam. You should be aware that the proctors are able
to view your computer screen from their station. You may work out problems on pencil
and paper, and calculators are allowed on most exams (but not all).
- Abandoned exams: You cannot abandon
a proctored exam once you have started it. The exam will be graded "as is"
the next time you come in to take an exam. (However, if you just need a drink or
a restroom break, ask the proctor.)
- Repeats: You may retake a proctored exam if you wish,
subject to the rule given below. Your best score will be counted. It is really better
and more convenient to use the practice exams to work out any problems you are having,
and then take the proctored exam. But in case you do have a bad day, you can retake
the exam subject to the following rule:
- You cannot take more than one exam on the same unit on any single day (the idea
is that you should spend some time going over your mistakes before trying again).
- Grade appeals: Computer grading
is quite rigid, and I know that can be a frustrating problem - sometimes questions
are missed just because of a syntax error, not a math error. To avoid these problems,
make sure that you do the following:
- Read the Unit Exam Description before taking any
exams on that unit (practice or proctored). You will be warned about any new types
of problems.
- Take several practice exams before you take a proctored exam. Any problems with
syntax will almost certainly show up here, and you can then avoid them on the proctored
exam.
- Take the proctored exam by the target date. Then you will have several chances
to repeat the exam if you made any errors.
- When taking an exam, make sure that you look under the answer box for the type
of answer expected. You can also refer to the Math Syntax page
at any time, and the list
of acceptable units if the question asks for units to be included.
Because you are allowed to repeat exams, grade appeals will generally
not be granted. However, they will certainly be granted if there is an error in the
problem (see the Errors page). If you want to appeal the scoring on any of your unit exams,
I will be most inclined to consider your request if you bring it to me soon after
the exam, but in any case you must do so before the final exam of the course.
I will not consider any appeals after that time. Bring in a copy of your exam to
my office, or send me email with the exam number(s) and question number(s) that you
would like me to look at, and I will consider your request.
Reviewing your records
and old exams:
- You can review your records and old exams at any time
using the My Results link on
the testing web site.
Unit Exam Descriptions
Be sure to read the description of each unit exam (available
via the links below) before you take that exam. These include reminders and announcements
about syntax, and other information about exam questions. I expect you to read this
information.
self-paced
Math 140 home page