Expectations: Exams - How to study for and take them.

How to Study

Each course typically consists of a midterm exam and a final exam.  The midterm exam will cover the first half of the course, while the final exam will cover the last half of the course.  Exams are mainly compiled of questions listed at each lesson's end.  Although the questions at the end of the lessons are not assignments to be turned in, it would be to your advantage to answer them accurately so you can study them to prepare for the exam.

How to Take

• From memory - study the lesson questions that the exam covers; you are not to use any other resources, nor are you to use the study guide from the lesson (obviously).
• In time - the exams are timed, so you should review the time limit before starting.  In other words, be fully prepared to take the exam when you attempt it.
• Answer only what is asked - students tend to type as much as possible when there is only one phrase or word that the question asks to provide.  Reread the question if you need to clarify what is being asked.

Points to Remember

• Inside the courses, there are NO practice exams; once you begin the exam, the clock begins, and you are actively taking the test.  Before you've initiated the attempt, there are ample warnings explaining this to you.
• Computer grading and human grading - some answers are graded automatically by the computer.  These answers, along with non-computer-graded answers, are checked by a live person.  If the computer marks it wrong because of a misspelling or because you put "the" in front of the answer, this will be graded accurately.
• Spelling counts, sometimes - be aware that some exams require you to spell the names of individuals/places accurately for credit.
• Checking your answers - After completing an exam and having a question about an answer, go back to the study guide for that course and locate the correct answer.  

Retakes

• You will not have the retake option if you pass the course with 70% or greater.
• You will be allowed one retake per course that you are failing. 
• The highest you can get on a retake is 70%.
• This means that if you choose to retake a barely failed midterm before taking the final and you really failed the final, you will not be able to retake the final, so choose wisely.
• Only one retake per course is allowed.  All your course assignments and exams must be completed before you attempt your retake.  Contact onlinestudies@sibi.cc for a retake password after submitting all your assignments and exams.

Side Notes

• Another goal is to rewrite all the exams and make them more conducive to your online learning experience.  This is a future goal and will take time, so please know that these changes are being planned.
• If you can not find the correct answer or have any other questions, never hesitate to contact Online Studies for assistance.