Examinations
Your syllabus should contain the following exam information:
- dates
- how much each counts toward the final grade
- type of tests (multiple-choice, essay, short answer)
- materials needed (e.g., bluebook, Scantron form and number --Form UCD 2000, if scored at the TRC)
- description of other graded assignments and due dates
- policy regarding make-up exams
- availability of extra credit assignments (if appropriate)
Help students know what to expect by placing copies of past exams on library reserve or online.
Consider scheduling enough exams or problem sets so that you can drop the lowest grade. This reduces student stress and alleviates the need for make-up exams. The one they miss can be the one that is dropped.
Make clear your grading standards and criteria
grading on a curve, percent cutoff, or some other standard
expectation regarding grammar and syntax for essay answers
Consult Writing in the Disciplines guidelines for grading written work.
Write challenging, but not tricky, exam questions. See TRC tips on test construction.
Keep test items in a computer database or index card file and date their use.
When giving non-essay type tests (e.g., multiple-choice, matching, fill-ins, etc.) use multiple forms to reduce the probability of cheating. Be sure to have students indicate their form on the answer sheet.
Estimate the necessary exam time. For multiple choice, allow 1 per minute per item, less 10 items (e.g., no more than 50 items for an hour) -- more time, if problem-solving is required.
TRC scoring service - for multiple-choice Scantron-scored exams
a. Students must purchase Form UCD 2000 - available at the ASUCD Bookstore
b. Make an appointment at (530) 752-6050 or e-mail testscore@ucdavis.edu
c. See test scoring guidelines before you give the exam and instruct the students to provide the necessary information.
For record keeping, consider using the MyUCDavis Gradebook. It builds on the course roster from the Registrar and has many useful features. Download tutorial.
Prior to the first exam, determine your policy on students' leaving when they have finished. Do not allow latecomers to take the exam if others have already left the room. Describe your policy ahead of time.
Decide whether or not you will allow students to keep the exam booklet.
Think through how you will handle transgressions, such as cheating and plagiarism. See the Student Judicial Affairs website for conduct guidelines and report procedures.
Use alternative seating whenever possible.
Encourage students who finish quickly to sit in the front row or aisle seats.
Have the students keep the examination face down on their desks until all are distributed and you see that all belongings are stowed out of sight. Then signal them to begin.
For Scantron-scored exams, bring a box of inexpensive pencils (golf pencils work well) to the exam for student use.
If using Scantron forms, make sure every student has the proper answer form. If not, have them buy one from another student (in a large class, there is always someone with an extra -- or bring a couple with you to the exam).Provide accurate information about when and where exam results will be posted.
Final exam - each student has the right to take the final exam on the scheduled date - see pg. 11 in the Faculty Guide.
Return exams or post grades promptly, along with an answer key.
Do not post grades by name. Use the last 6 digits of the student ID number.
Return exams at the beginning of class only if you plan to review them. Develop grading criteria for essays ahead of time. Identify crucial elements necessary in the answer.
Read through some of the answers to see if the criteria apply.
If more than one person grades a particular essay question, check inter-grader reliability. Have them score a few and then check for level of agreement.
Be involved in the grading (even if it is done by TAs) by reading some exams to get a sense of what the students are learning. Reward the high scoring students by writing a note on the exam, sending them an e-mail, or inviting them to your office hours to compliment them personally.
For Scantron exams scored at the TRC, use the test analysis feature to find out which items discriminate between high- and low-scoring students.