I am just 2 semesters away from graduating. I had everything in line and planned out. Unfortunately I failed a class that was part of my major requirements. I do fine in my other classes and I'm taking senior classes and getting great grades. I'm terrible at all these multiple choice tests. And I took a class and the only thing he graded on was 3 multiple choice tests. That's it. No papers...no attendance points...just 3 tests. Well me being not so good at this, didn't do so hot on my tests. I failed my final really bad. If I would've done good I most likely would've passed he said. I went to talk with him, and finally he said he'd let me take another test. No promises on grade changing, but take it to see how I do. I leave his office, go home, and 15 minutes later he calls back and says "Nevermind don't show up. This is the easiest class you'll ever have to take. There's nothing I can do for you."
Now I'm not sure if I should talk to the Dean or what or retake it anyway.
2006-12-21 18:24:01 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I guess the biggest thing that aggravated me was that I showed up to his office and he reasked me questions that were on the test. I answered them fine and proved I knew them. He told me I could retake it and then calls back the moment I leave his office that he changed his mind. It be one thing if he said no right there, but he waited til I was out of his site and changed his mind on me. I don't think that was right to do to me.
2006-12-22 18:58:48 · update #1
I truly sympathize with you, as I also have trouble taking inclass exams. The only real option you have now is to ask the prof again, and if he says no, I'm afraid you have to bite the bullet and take the class again. I would make it a point to stress with the prof that you simply have trouble taking exams (this doesn't always work, but it doesn't hurt to at least get it out there) and you would be happy to demonstrate knowledge to him if given another opportunity. That is precisely what I would say, and see if he goes for it. If not, then you're really in no worse of a situation than you are right now.
As for the exams themselves, it really is a good idea to talk to the prof after every exam that you do poorly on. Sometimes that's hard because classes have maybe one midterm and then a final (I took a class this last quarter that had one midterm and one final.....I got 100% on the midterm, but my girlfriend of almost a year broke up with me the night before the final and I did horribly on it, enough to drop to a B-, which in grad school at UCLA is basically failing since it doesn't count towards the PhD unless it's B or higher), but try to keep on top of it as best as you can. Make it clear that you are putting in the effort and are understanding the material and that you're simply having trouble with exams. Many profs will catch on and that can only help you.
I'm sorry I'm not more helpful with this. It's a problem I'm frustrated with myself right now. Just keep fighting through it and you'll get there. Good luck!
2006-12-21 19:11:16 · answer #1 · answered by wlfgngpck 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I was in a similar situation as an undergrad (I failed two classes): a huge four-credit calculus class (which I definitely did not retake) and a ballet class that I needed to finish my dance minor. I failed that during senior year for ... well ... rotten attendance. I can't wake up before noon.
It was jerkish of the professor to offer you another test in person and then call you on the phone to tell you he suddenly changed his mind. Something not quite right. _Do_ - contrary to what other respondents have said - appeal to a dean. They are your advocates. It's what they get paid for. Appeal to anyone you can who thinks s/he can help you. And talk to your advisor - advisors can be great help. A wonderful English department advisor helped get me through my failures - among other things, including therapy for depression.
It's not so bad if you have to retake the class. It's what I did with my ballet class - and you'll be far more determined (if only by anger) to do well the second time. The failure won't destroy your GPA; mine didn't. And it shouldn't prevent you from graduating on schedule; you'll just have to pile 3 more credits onto your class load one of these upcoming semesters. If you take the class again, TAKE IT WITH A DIFFERENT PROFESSOR.
I also did crappy in classes with boring old-timer professors who graded on the traditional three exams. In pedagogical theory, this memorization/regurgitation method of teaching has been bashed pretty much since the 1920s. Humanities professors who still adhere to this pedagogy (because, as we should all know, people do not _learn_ from taking multiple-choice tests) are either lazy or have not stayed abreast of recent research and development in the field of education (something that is part of a teacher's job description). Don't feel ashamed to let your dean and others know about this.
Best luck.
2006-12-22 19:37:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is really nothing the Dean can do at this point. If you had spoken to the professor after the first test about how to do better on the other two, the professor may have been able to help you, but the only mistake he seems to have made was to suggest he would give you another test in the first place - my guess is that he was a new professor, and after he spoke with colleagues, they pointed out to him that this would be unfair to the rest of the class! I'm also assuming that you knew from the outset, probably from the syllabus, that your whole grade would depend on these tests (that's nothing - I've had classes depend on ONE test, or on one paper), so you really should have acted much earlier if you knew you had trouble with tests. I don't say this to insult you, but we all have trouble with one thing or another, and a lot of students learn the hard way that they need to stay on top of those classes they know they will struggle with. You don't have much choice but to retake the class.
2006-12-21 18:34:08 · answer #3 · answered by neniaf 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There's really nothing you can do. You failed the tests. He didn't make you fail. It's not his fault that you're not good at multiple choice tests. He is not required to let you retake anything. This is life. He did nothing wrong. I've had classes where my entire grade rests on one paper. A lot of college professors will rest everything on a few tests or assignments. Just retake the course. Practice taking multiple choice tests and learn how to make them work for you.
As for changing his mind, he can do this. He doesn't owe it to you to let you retake the test. You failed it. He probably changed his mind because in the real world when you leave college there are no retakes.
2006-12-22 01:35:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
A students first option is almost always to go directly to the professor. If that option is completely exhausted, then you should check your school's grading appeal process, which is usually fairly extensive. It may be to the academic dean or department head, but there are usually time deadlines, so get to it! Check your school's website and try a search.
However, it doesn't sound like there were any extenuating circumstances, so I'm not sure what grounds you have for getting another chance. Better come up with some reason why you did so poorly (especially if it was on all 3 tests) and be able to demonstrate that you really do know the material and deserve at least a low passing grade.
2006-12-21 18:32:53 · answer #5 · answered by James W 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You need to go back and talk to him again. If he still declines another test for you, talk to the Department Head. If they don't help you, go to the Dean. They should have a departmental challenge exam that you can take to prove that you understand the material.
Multiple choice tests are easy...but they are easy to mess up, too. You have to narrow the answers down to what makes sense. I had a Psych professor who gave 5 choices on her multiple choice tests. 3 were wrong, 2 were right...but 1 was more right than the other. Figure that one out!?
2006-12-21 18:34:53 · answer #6 · answered by Brandon W 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Why would you talk to the Dean? YOU failed it. You didn't study hard enough. Multiple choice tests aren't an excuse for failure.
You can ask for the exam to be re-graded to make sure that the machine didn't malfunction. But, if it's your answers that are wrong, it's you who failed. It sucks, but the responsibility falls on you.
Take the course again, study more, work on practicing multiple choice tests, and take responsibility for yourself.
2006-12-22 00:19:33 · answer #7 · answered by ty 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
`I would advice you to take a retest, don't waste your time in finding ways to avoid it . Going to the dean is also a waste of time, as the professor will be the one giving you the marks, so don't aggravate him, and start studying again. In fact if you have any study problems go to your professor and ask him, this will show him that you are serious about your studies, all the best
2006-12-21 18:59:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
If the majority of the class is failing, then it's a problem. But if only you and a few are failing the class, then maybe you're not studying enough or doing your best.
2006-12-21 18:29:18 · answer #9 · answered by Yeah Right 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
give challenging papers, or required provisional degree on convocation and said to teacher that sir take exams after convocation.
2006-12-21 19:13:36 · answer #10 · answered by AAMIR K 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋