Questions tagged [exams]
This tag is intended for questions about exams as viewed from the point of view of an instructor.
116
questions
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How does a take-home exam differ from a homework assignment?
I've taught several upper-level courses recently, and have considered giving take-home exams to reduce the time pressure in the classroom.
However, their homework already consists of proving various ...
11
votes
4
answers
445
views
How can I encourage my students to team work?
I have a motto, "My class is not an Olympic swimming pool! It is a museum full of the masterwork paintings! Relax and enjoy all of this mathematical beauty which I am drawing on the blackboard!"
By ...
24
votes
6
answers
2k
views
What are some good rules for handling student questions during exams?
For example, I gave an exam earlier today with a problem that ended in the sentence
Use the chain rule to find $(f\circ g)'(3)$.
During the exam, one of the students asked me what the circle ...
14
votes
4
answers
2k
views
What are effective alternatives to a written math exam to evaluate knowledge?
Some students do not do well under pressure or testing situations and cannot demonstrate their knowledge of a math subject with a written exam. On the other hand, I think that students that do not ...
18
votes
4
answers
2k
views
What to do when students are not keeping their eyes on their own test?
At my university, exams take place in a lecture hall, but it is usually pretty packed. Along with alternating versions of tests, it is pretty easy for a student to look to the next row or their ...
7
votes
2
answers
865
views
Grading problems that nobody solved
Once in a while an exam happens where nobody correctly solves (i.e. there might be partial solutions) that trivial problem of yours (and I'm not talking about intentionally hard and impossible tasks ...
12
votes
4
answers
313
views
It is good to have old exams (with solutions) published?
What are the arguments in publishing or not publishing old exams? If yes, should they contain also a solution? Would you publish them directly after that particular exam or publish your old one's just ...
24
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Non-answerable questions on exam: What to do?
What is a good strategy when you realize (e.g. while grading the exam) that a question on an exam was incomplete/wrong?
More concretely:
If it is decided that additional points should be given:
How ...
41
votes
6
answers
16k
views
How can I estimate the length of an exam?
Background: I am fairly new at teaching, and in every subject I have taught, I have had difficulty estimating the length and difficulty of an exam. I need to write an exam for a university senior-...
32
votes
7
answers
16k
views
What are the comparative advantages of open-book versus closed-book exams?
I would like to know the advantages and disadvantages of open-book exams as compared to closed-book exams, particularly in standard undergraduate courses like calculus or linear algebra.
My practice ...
42
votes
11
answers
11k
views
Formula sheets and books during tests and exams
Some teachers make memorizing formulas, definitions and others things obligatory, and forbid "aids" in any form during tests and exams. Other allow for writing down more complicated expressions, ...