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Frequently Asked Questions
(last updated 13/09/2009)
This early in the term, what you see are the questions & answers from previous students…
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Q: How long is the Xmas-exam and how many questions will it have? |
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A: The exam is 2 hours long. It will have 75 MC questions and about 25 SA questions. |
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Q: Does the Xmas-exam cover materials that were not discussed in class? |
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A: Absolutely. The lectures are not intended to replace the text; they are meant to complement the text, to elaborate on some parts of it, etc. |
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Q: What chapters are covered on the Xmas exam? |
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A: The exam covers all materials in the first term, as well as all lectures related to them.HOWEVER, the focus o the Xmas exam is on the chapters/lectures that have come after the mid-term.
NOTE: For the Xmas exam, I have NOT selected any questions from the chapters that were covered on the mid-term test. |
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Q: What is the format of the tests and exams? |
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A: You have two different instructors for this course. The test and exam given by Dr. Graf will include both multiple choice and short answer questions (the same format as used for the mid-term). Examples of both types of questions are in the study guide. The questions will be drawn from the lectures and the text.
The format of the test and exam given next term will be announced at the beginning of Term 2, in January 2009. |
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Q: Are the tests and exams cumulative? |
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A: Yes. The tests are cumulative in the sense that materials covered in the first few chapters are typically covered in more detail in subsequent chapters. However, the focus of the Xmas exam will be on materials covered after the first term test. As stated above, the Xmas exam does not include any questions that were specifcally drawn from the chapters or lectures that were covered on the mid-term. |
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Q: How should I study for the exam? |
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A: There are many different ways of studying. I will discuss many of them in class. Hone the method that works best for you. |
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Q: For the SA section of the exam, will you be selecting questions that were included in those that were posted? |
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A: The posted questions are a repeat of questions that I have asked in class, and thus, if you have paid attention in class you will know the answers to them. |
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Q: What happens if I miss a test or exam? |
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A: Tests and exams are given only on the scheduled dates. You are responsible for knowing these dates and for attending the scheduled tests and exams. If you miss a test or exam without a valid reason, you will not be permitted to write a make-up test and will receive a grade of zero for the missed test/exam.
If you miss a test or exam for a medical reason, you must notify the instructor immediately (as soon as you know that you will not be able to attend the test or exam) of your absence, as well as provide the instructor with a note from your physician. This note must specify the date on which you were absent. You must present this note as soon as possible after your return of classes. |
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Q: What is a valid reason for missing a test or exam? |
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A: I will accept as a valid reason for missing a test or exam all documented medical conditions. However, I will not accept most other reasons, such as: “I forgot”, “I slept in”, “My car broke down”, “There was an accident on the road”, “The bus was late”, “My room-mate kept me awake all night”, etc.
Why such a strict policy on missed test and exams? Put your self in my shoes; I have to deal with about 600 students and want to be fair to each one of them. In this case, fairness means that if I accept the excuse for a missed test/exam given by one person, I have to accept a similar type of excuse provided by another person. I don’t have the resources to deal with the unique circumstances of each person, and thus, can accept only medical reasons as excuses for missed a test or exam. |
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Q: How will I be graded in this course? |
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A: Your grade in this course will be based on your performance on the two term tests, the Xmas exam and the final exam. Each term test is worth 20% of your final grade, and each exam is worth 30% of your final grade. Consistent with the Faculty of Arts and Psychology Department policy on grade inflation, the grades obtained in this course will be scaled or curved if necessary, to an average between 65 and 67% with a standard deviation of 12%. If necessary, the scaling will be done once after Term 1, and then again after Term 2 at the end of the year.
Scaling/curving is used only for one reason, to prevent grade inflation. What is more important for you to understand is that scaling/curving does not in any way change your relative position in the class: If you had the highest grade in class before scaling, you will still have it after scaling; if your grade was just slightly higher than the grade of Your Neighbor, it will be just slightly higher after scaling.
You can earn up to 4 bonus points in this course by participating in research. For each hour of research participation, you will earn 1 (one) bonus points. Each bonus point is worth the equivalent of 1% of your course grade. At the end of the year, the bonus points you earned during the year will be added to your final grade. Bonus points will be added after the grades have been scaled. |
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Q: How can I find out about my grade in this course? |
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A: The grades will be posted on the course web page as soon as soon as possible after each test or exam. Keep in mind that it will take a substantial amount of time to grade the tests/exams, and to check and enter the data in our data-base. |
