Title: What to Expect on Exams
Course: TAACCCT - Open Source Server Admin.- CIS 235 > Section: Getting Started

What to Expect on Exams & Suggestions for Studying

Exams are a mostly mixture of True/False, Multiple Choice, and Short Answer.  I reserve the right to add different types of questions (such as matching or “Long Answer”), but I do not add them often.   Exams are normally closedbook, but you may bring an English-to-Foreign Language dictionary if you need one.

In-class exams all follow the same format (see the fictitious PIZZA 101 exam for an example of the format).

Sometimes I allow one or more notecards to be brought to the exam, but the entire class must decide on this beforehand.   So if you want notecards, you need to ask during class and prior to the exam… J

Will’s & Wont’s of Test Writing:

WON’T

•       Won’t ask questions on small details (big picture more important)  (I don’t always succeed)

•       Won’t ask essay questions

•       Won’t deduct points for spelling & English language mistakes

•       For in-class exams, won’t limit the time you take on tests (open book/open “Internet” online tests might have a time-limit)

•       Won’t ask for acronym definitions (but will use acronyms as needed)

•       Won’t ask trick questions (if it looks like a trick question – ask)

WILL

•       Will ask questions that will make you think

•       Will ask questions that have no right answer (you will need to defend an opinion)

•       Will ask short answer questions that can be answered in one word (but also will ask short answers that take several sentences)

HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS

•       If a topic took more than 15 minutes to cover, it’s probably on a test...

•       Don’t define a word using the same word in the definition (or another word with the same root word, e.g.“compute” vs. “computer”)

•       You can use pictures in answering short-answer questions

•       If you don’t know, don’t leave a question blank, take an educated guess!  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

•       If your answer might be different based on different assumptions, write down your assumptions and I’ll grade accordingly

•       Use the ability to skip a question each section to your advantage.   Attempt them all, and then afterwards pick the question you are least sure of.

Note:

You may bring an English thesaurus and/or a foreign language dictionary to the exams (especially useful if English is not your primary language).

Attached Files: | - What to Expect on Exams.docx