Why don't universities return exam question papers?

Question

I don't know about others, but my university has this policy of not returning exam question papers. I just want to know if: 1) it happens in other places, and 2) the logic behind it. I mean, isn't it better for the university if students have them back? Let me list the benefits: freeing up storage space (assuming they store it. 3) Do they?) and possibility of boosting students' marks (and also reputation of university).

Please answer all three questions. Thanks in advance =)

Answer 1

1. It's quite common for professors not to return exams. I've taken courses at 3 different schools, from community college to graduate school, and I've had professors do this at all 3 institutions. It's also the policy for the courses I teach.

2. As the other responses have mentioned, it's done largely because professors will either use the same exam, or similar exams, in different quarters. Thus, if the exams are readily available, it inflates students' grades in subsequent semesters rather than giving an accurate measure of their progress in the course. All the professors (and myself as a TA) who have done this do make the exams available for students who wish to see them by coming into their office and discussing the scores.

3. While storage space is nice, keeping the exams has the added benefit of protecting both the professor and the student. If the student challenges their grade, the professor will have the exams handy to check for possible errors. If the student has the test and loses it, then it simply becomes a matter of he-said, she-said thus creating much hassle for both. As for boosting marks, that does nothing to increase the reputation of the university, and probably in fact would diminish that reputation. Think about it: if all the students get excellent grades because old exams are readily available for them to copy, that doesn't say much about the abilities of the students, except perhaps that they need to be spoon-fed in order to succeed.

Answer 2

I have been a student at 4 universities and had some returned and some not returned. My final examinations were never returned. The reason why my professors kept them were because a lot of them use the same or similar examinations over the years and do not want students to have unfair advantages. In the US, some fraternities and sororities have test banks where when professors give back a test, it is filed away so that the students taking his class next term can see the exam and how it is graded. Most professors I have had are happy to let me see my paper in their office and will discuss it with me, but for that reason won't return it. They (are supposed to) keep it on file for one year in case a student challenges his or her grade, and then recycles it.

As far as your third question, I am not sure exactly what you are asking. I don't think that it makes any difference on the quality of the school or type of education. I have studied at a community college and the best university in the world, and both seem to have the same policies. I think that letting people have exams back gives future students an unfair advantage and will hurt everyone in the long run.

Answer 3

[1] I'm surprised that it is university policy where you attend. Almost always it is a matter of the professor's discretion, and that is likely at your university also. Ask the Department Chair if that is indeed a policy.

[2] Many professors use the same examinations - I do on occasion - if we distribute them, we have to write new exams and that is not easy, believe me. At the end of the semester, if there have been no grade complaints either to me or the department chair, I have the exams shredded.

[3] How could returning examinations possible enhance the reputation of the university? I have never heard: "I decided to not attend Harvard because they don't return examinations."

[4] I do return term papers with marginal notes - and my students are instructed to bring those papers with them if they want to discuss a grade.

good luck to you

Answer 4

1)some of my professor do and some don't. 2) It depends if the professor is going to use the same exact test over then they don't like giving the tests back for the fear that it will get out and people will cheat on the tests. It just all depends if the professor makes up their tests or if they use the same one every semester.