How do
I Take Online Exams in Self-Paced Math 141-142?
Enter the testing web site
for
Math 141
or Math 142
(but first read about the testing system
below)
Using the computer testing system
Testing for the exams in this course is done at a special web
server named MapleTA
(link given at the top of this page). You can check your scores, review previous
exams, and take Pretests and Practice Exams from any computer you want,
using any web browser. You must take the Proctored Exams in the presence of
your designated proctor (see the proctor
arrangements page for details). The Practice Exams
are especially useful for reviewing material for the final exams. The final exams
themselves are also online Proctored Exams.
Learning how to use the testing system:
- Start with the testing
web site for Math 141 or Math 142, depending on which course you are in. The
links on the left side of the screen will take you to the different parts of the
testing system.
- Choose the Register for this class link on the testing site for Math 141 or Math 142, depending on which course you are in, to create your user record (note: you will not be able to create a user record until the
official beginning date of the course).
Fill in the requested information in the form that appears. Please be accurate.
- Choose your own login name and password, and write it down.
- Your "ISU netid" is the portion of your ISU email
address preceding "@iastate.edu".
- 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. Also, if you forget your password,
the testing system can send it to your email address.
- Read the material
below and read the Math Syntax page.
- Try the Online Testing Practice Exam.
This exam will quiz you on the various question types used in MapleTA and on some
of the course rules. Take this exam as many times as you
need to get all or most of the questions correct. This exam does not count for any
credit, but it will help you learn how the testing system works and help you avoid
problems in the future.
- Now you are ready to move on to Unit 1. Follow the instructions given in the Study Guidelines for Unit 1, and then in the Unit
1 Exam Description.
- If the testing system doesn't seem to work correctly for you,
be sure to consult the Technical
Notes page.
MapleTA Question Types and Syntax
MapleTA has a number of different question types. While some
questions are multiple choice, most of them are "free response" with an
answer box for you to type in your answer. For the most part, you can enter your
answer in "calculator syntax", pretty much as you would on a graphing calculator.
For more details, you should read the Math
Syntax page. Most of what you need to know is mentioned
on that page. A similar syntax help page is also accessible to you during the tests
(look for the Help link underneath each answer box).
There are a few additional things I would like to point out:
- Remember to look under the entry box
for the description of the expected format of the answer. If you are not sure
of the correct syntax, click on the Help link which is also located under
the answer box.
- Use the Preview feature. On exam
questions with an answer box, the Preview link (located under the answer box)
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. The Preview link requires that Java is enabled in
your web browser. If the system shows you a preview that looks essentially like what
you typed in, check the browser preference settings.
- There are two kinds of multiple choice questions: those that
take a single answer, and those that accept multiple answers. You can tell them apart
in three ways:
- The buttons have different shapes. However, the exact shape depends on the type
of web browser you use, and maybe even your preference settings.
- Try pushing a second button. If the first one pops out, this is a question with
a single answer.
- The problem may tell you whether one or several answers are expected.
- Unless explicitly specified otherwise, all questions take
exact answers. If the answer is sqrt(2), then 1.41421 is not a correct answer, even if you type in 10 decimals.
- It never hurts to put in too many parentheses. It may
hurt you if you don't put in enough. MapleTA evaluates your answer in order
of precedence; operators of equal precedence get evaluated left to right. The order
is (from highest to lowest):
- Exact answers vs. approximations: All answers must
be exact, unless you are specifically requested to give an approximation. If you
are asked to give an approximation, then your answer must be accurate to at least
the requested number of decimal places after the decimal point. For example, you
might be asked to provide an answer that is accurate to at least three digits.
In your corrected exam, you may see something like 1.41421356237
0.001. The symbol
means "plus or minus", so anything within 0.001 of the first number counts
as correct. Thus, for example, if you answered 1.414, or 1.4142, or 1.415, these would all be graded as correct.
- While we are on the subject of approximate numerical answers:
some word problems require you to find some intermediate results first. Make
sure you use enough decimals of accuracy for those. If you round some intermediate
value to two decimals, your final answer will not be correct to three decimals. You
should use at least four or five decimals for the intermediate calculations, to be
on the safe side.
- When it comes to typing in equations of curves, the
basic rule is: your answer must be a single equation which has the same graph
as the given correct answer. So, if the given answer is y=x+2, and
you type in y-x=2, that is correct. However, if the answer is x=y^2, and you type in y=sqrt(x),
that is wrong. The reason is that the graph of x=y^2 is a parabola, but the graph of y=sqrt(x) is the upper half of a parabola. You also cannot combine equations
(for example, an answer such as y=sqrt(x)
; y=-sqrt(x)
would be incorrect).
- Answers with units: You are probably used to adding units
(such as "meters" or "seconds") to the answers of application
problems. It is possible to design questions like that in MapleTA, but it has caused
confusion in the past, so we have not used this feature. Therefore, do not add units to any of your answers. In particular, do not add
"degrees" or "radians" to any of your answers.
Other hints and information:
- How many questions? Each exam has between 16 and 25
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, each proctored unit exam will be rescaled to 20 points total, so they
all have equal weight. Each unit pretest will be rescaled to 5 points total.
- Which browser? You
will need access to a computer with an internet connection and one of the supported operating system / web browser combinations.
- Other operating system / web browser combinations may or may not work.
- Most dialup internet service providers will probably work fine, but the AOL internet
service provider will NOT work with the testing system. If you use AOL, you will
need to subscribe to one of the other free or low-cost providers.
- Preview window: 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.
- Grading: Be
sure to always grade your pretests and exams. Your online
assignment is not complete until you have finished the grading process. If you leave
an assignment ungraded, then no score is recorded. In addition, you may be locked
out of any further online assignments. (Note: Grading is
a 2-step process - you must press the GRADE button two times to complete the process.)
-
- 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, with a few rare exceptions, 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.
- On rare occasions in the past, answers have disappeared as a result of rapid
clicking on the Next or Back button. If you hit one of those buttons
after the top of the page has loaded, but before your previous answer has loaded,
that answer may disappear. So don't push the navigation buttons too fast.
- As with all web browsers, occasionally an image may not load. In this case, try
the Next and Back buttons - that will usually clear up the problem.
If the problem is persistent, then you will probably have to clear the cache on your
browser, quit and start it up again, and re-enter your exam (with your proctor's
help and permission).
- Once you enter an answer and then move on to the next question, your answer should
be saved.
- Occasionally the testing system may become confused and log you out of the exam.
But don't worry, your previous work will have been saved. If this happens, show your
proctor, and then simply log in to the exam again. You will be given a choice which
allows you to finish working on the old exam.
- If you get an error which ultimately causes you to miss a problem, please show
it to your proctor and have the proctor send me a confirming note about the problem.You
will probably just have to take the exam again, but at least I can give you a deadline
extension in this case.The point is that you need to do something right away when
this happens. You cannot come back a week later and tell me that you had a problem
on an earlier exam.
- 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 pretest, a practice
exam, or a 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
send me an email identifying the exam and question number.
I will post all errors on the errors page, and each person in the class
can then check his or her own exam using the View
Past Results link on the testing web site for Math 141 or Math 142.
Instructions and Rules
for Pretests:
Each unit includes a Unit Pretest which will help prepare you
for the proctored Unit Exam.
Instructions:
- Before taking any Pretests, you must first register
on the online testing system.
- You can complete the Pretests at the testing web site for Math 141 or Math 142 from anywhere on the internet.
- Time limit: Different Pretests may have different time
limits, but most of them have a time limit of 60 minutes, and the time limit is the
same for the corresponding Proctored Exam. In general,
most people complete the Pretests and Exams within 45 minutes.
- Deadline: The Unit Pretest must be completed on or
before the deadline date listed on the Detailed
Schedule for Math 141 or Math 142.
Be sure that you read and understand the Deadline Policy.
Rules:
- You may use your textbook and notes on Pretests.
- Calculators. Graphing calculators are allowed (and
often needed) on most pretests and exams. However, calculators
are NOT allowed on the Unit 1 Pretest.
- Repeats: You may repeat these Pretests as many
times as you like (your best score counts). The questions will change each time you
repeat a Pretest.
- I recommend that you take several Pretests on each unit (preferably on different
days) before you try the actual proctored Unit Exam. Organize your work in a notebook,
with the Pretest dated and each problem numbered. After you take the Pretest, you
can print it out, check over each problem, and get help with the problems that you
missed. This is one of the best methods for preparing for the exams.
- A record of your Pretests is retained in the system. You can then go back and
look up any of your old Pretests, review which problems you missed, etc. (use the
View Past Results link on the testing web site).
You will also have a record of your improvement as you repeat these Pretests.
- I can also look up your old Pretests, so if you have a question about a particular
problem, I can then look and see what the problem is and what answer you entered.
- Remember that the Unit Pretest counts 5 points toward your
course grade (your best score will be scaled to 5 points).
Instructions and Rules
for Proctored Exams:
Instructions:
- Before taking any Proctored Exams, you must first register
on the online testing system. In addition, you must
take the corresponding Unit Pretest before taking the (proctored) Unit Exam.
- Proctors: All exams must be taken in the presence of
your designated and approved proctor. Also, you may not take exams in your own home
or on your own computer. See the proctor
arrangements page for more detailed rules concerning
proctors.
- Always remember to bring a picture ID to your testing
location so that you can identify yourself to your proctor.
- After you select your exam on your computer, the proctor will
authorize the beginning of your exam, using the proctor's computer.
- Time limit: Different Proctored Exams may have different
time limits, but most of them have a time limit of 60 minutes, and the time limit
is the same for the corresponding Pretest. In general,
most people complete the Pretests and Exams within 45 minutes.
- When you are done with your exam, notify your proctor, and
he or she will authorize the grading of the exam. You will then be able to look at
all of the details of the graded exam. Be sure to complete
the grading process - don't leave your exam ungraded.
- Be sure to close your browser when you are done.
- If you have any technical problems while taking an exam, please
inform your instructor. The testing system works well with most computer and network
setups, but occasionally there are situations in which it won't work. In addition,
if your proctor is new to the testing system, it may take a couple of attempts to
understand the authorization and testing procedure. For these reasons, it's important
to try your first exam at least a few days before the deadline date.
- Deadline: The Unit Proctored Exam must be completed
on or before the deadline date listed on the Detailed
Schedule for Math 141 or Math 142.
Be sure that you read and understand the Deadline Policy.
Rules:
- No talking! Just like all exams in other classes, you
must not talk with anyone else in the testing location during the exam. Any such
violation amounts to academic misconduct. Likewise, if you are in the testing location
and NOT taking an exam, do not attempt to talk to anyone who IS taking an exam.
- 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 - in other words, no other applications or windows
may be open, except for the windows that are opened via the testing system Help and Preview links located
under the answer box. You may work out problems on pencil and paper, and calculators are allowed on most exams (see the next
item).
- In addition, a popup window with certain formulas is available on both the Unit
5 Exam and the Trigonometry Final Exam, via a link at the top of the exam page.
- Calculators. Graphing calculators are allowed (and
often needed) on most pretests and exams. However, calculators
are NOT allowed on the Unit 1 Exam.
- 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, and your best score will be counted. However, it
is really better and more convenient to use the Pretests 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 Proctored Exam on the same
unit on any single day (the idea is that you should spend some time reviewing
the material and your previous exam before trying again).
- Remember that the Unit Proctored Exam counts 20 points toward
your course grade (your best score will be scaled to 20 points).
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
(pretest, practice, or proctored). You will be warned about any new types of syntax
problems.
- Take several pretests 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 use the Help link at any time if you are unsure
of the correct syntax for your answer.
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 my attention
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. Send me an email with
the exam number(s) and question number(s) that you would like me to look at, and
I will consider your request.
Deadline Policy:
- You cannot take a Pretest or 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:
- I will consider an exception if you have a serious verifiable 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.
Reviewing your records
and old exams:
- You can review your records and old exams at any time
using the View Past Results link for Math
141 or Math
142.
Exam Descriptions
Be sure to read the description of each 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.
- Math 141-142:
- Math 142 only:
self-paced
Math 141-142 home page