Exams

Criteria for Evaluation

Exams will be multiple choice and short essay.*

Multiple choice questions will be worth 2 points each.

True/false type questions may also be on the exam; these will be worth 1 pt each.

The point value of essay questions will vary—the number of point each question is worth will be indicated on the exam. Please read each question carefully before answering.

Points will be deducted for each of the following:

Not answering the question that was asked (even if what you say is true, you can only get credit for answering the question that was on the exam)
answering only part of the question
not elaborating enough for me to be certain of what you intended to say

grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors (one or two errors can be overlooked; 1 point will be deducted for each additional error)
illegible handwriting

Tips to help you avoid losing points

keep up with the readings as they are assigned (if you find this difficult, try out some of the advice at McGraw-Hill/Dushkin: How to Manage Your Time
come to class every day
study (no, I’m not kidding); go to McGraw-Hill/Dushkin: How to Study if your study techniques don’t get you the results you want
go to McGraw-Hill/Dushkin: How to Perform Better on Tests for some good advice regarding test taking
don’t rush your work; take your time
print if your handwriting is worse when you use cursive
use complete sentences rather than fragments
look up words you are uncertain of prior to the exam; check style guide for grammar and punctuation
elaborate on ideas when necessary in order to be clear. (For example, “Poverty is harmful to children” is a vague statement. How is poverty harmful? What aspects of development does it impact? Does the age of the child matter?)
read all questions carefully (the most common cause of points being deducted)

*Graduate students’ exams will be entirely long essay format.