Assignment: Developing Test-taking Strategies

For this assignment, please create a "plan of attack" in relation to preparing for and doing well on an upcoming test. You should approach this assignment as a general plan that would be relevant to any online test. Hint: Our lectures this week are quite helpful in completing this assignment!

Include these factors within your plan:

1. Creating a study schedule for the test
2. Devising study tactics for the test
3. Setting up technology for the test
4. Preparing yourself on the day of the test
5. Taking the test

Proctored Exams

Grantham University utilizes proctored examinations throughout your program of study. A proctored exam is a monitored exam. Because Grantham is an online university we do not have students gather into an auditorium to complete their exam. This is our solution to demonstrating you are taking your own exam. Grantham allows for the proctoring process to occur by either the Software Secure (SSI) Remote Proctor Now or by Human Proctoring. The following information can be found in the Grantham University 2012 Catalog.

Proctored Examinations

• Throughout a student's program of study, assessments from select courses will be proctored. Prior to enrolling/registering for a course which includes a proctored assessment, students must select the method of proctoring they will be using.

• Each course for which a student enrolls at Grantham University will have the grading rubric and methodology included in the course syllabus. The weight of all assignments will be identified, including the weight of any proctored assignment that may be required in the course. The course syllabus will also identify if a specific assignment must be proctored. The course syllabus will include complete instructions for taking the proctored assignment. If a student has completed all assignments in a course, including any proctored exam that may be required, and fails the course, the student may be required to repeat the course at his/her expense. A student will not be allowed to retake a final proctored exam or proctored assignment.

Methods of Proctoring

• Software Secure (SSI) Remote Proctor Now: Videos recorded during the exam session contain full-length webcam views, audios, and desktop recordings. Videos are stored by SSI and available to University administrators for review. The course syllabus will indicate any unique exam rules that may apply, such as the use of a calculator, open/closed book, etc.; SSI staff will review videos with these rules in mind and report any violations to University administrators. Students using the SSI proctoring method must have an operational webcam/video, computer, high speed Internet connection, and allow Remote Proctor Now to access their webcam and microphone during the proctored assignment. Students are required to identify themselves to SSI with a valid government-issued photo ID.

• Students may only have one Internet browser window open while taking their proctored exams, unless otherwise specified. The use of Internet accessible devices such as Blackberries, cell phones, and PDAs are strictly prohibited during the exam. Students may not bring removable media of any type during the proctored exam (e.g. CD-ROM, flash drives, etc.)

• Students may not install software during the proctored exam; however, pre-installed software such as Maple and Mathlab is permissible. Students are not allowed to converse with anyone other than their proctor during the proctored assessment. Proctors are prohibited from assisting with the exam with the exception of procedural or administrative issues.

• Human Proctoring: This method of proctoring requires the student to select an appropriate proctor, to determine a testing time and location convenient for both the student and proctor, and to ensure the selected proctor has been approved at least two weeks prior to the due date of the proctored assignment. Students will provide proctor's information upon enrollment/registration. Proctor verification is completed electronically through Acxiom. Prior to completion of verification, proctors must agree to follow the University's Test Proctor Guidelines. Before the proctored access code is sent to the proctor, the University must approve the proctor.

• After verification is complete, the assignment access code will be sent to the proctor.

• At the beginning of the proctored assessment, the proctor is required to request identification from the student to determine that the person taking the exam is the same person enrolled in the course. Students are required to identify themselves to the proctor with a valid government-issued photo ID.

• The exam(s) must be administered in the presence of a proctor who will verify that the student did his/her own work. The proctor is responsible for ensuring that the student completed the exam in accordance with the directions for that exam.

• Students may only have one Internet browser window open while taking their proctored exams, unless otherwise specified. The use of Internet accessible devices such as Blackberries, cell phones, and PDAs are strictly prohibited during the exam. Students may not bring removable media of any type during the proctored exam (e.g. CD-ROM, flash drives, etc.)

• Students may not install software during the proctored exam; however, pre-installed software such as Maple and Mathlab is permissible. Students are not allowed to converse with anyone other than their proctor during the proctored assignment. Proctors are prohibited from assisting with the exam with the exception of procedural or administrative issues.

• Students may take the proctored exam at the University or locally, provided a suitable person in the community is identified, approved, and agrees to proctor the exam. If the student fails to complete the proctored assignment prior to the course end date and an incomplete has not been approved in advance by the instructor, the exam grade will be recorded as a zero. Failure to obtain an approved proctor is not an acceptable reason to request an incomplete.

Test Proctor Guidelines

The following are the general guidelines for proctors:

• A student cannot be related to his/her proctor
• A student cannot reside at the same address as his/her proctor
• The proctor cannot have a vested or conflict of interest with respect to a student's score
• The proctor cannot be an applicant or a current student of Grantham
• The proctor cannot be a subordinate to either a student or any of the student's relatives
• The proctor must be willing to accept responsibility for the correct administration of the examination
• The following are examples of acceptable proctors:
• President, vice president, general manager, company officer, or supervisor
• Human resources officer
• Military testing site representative
• DANTES test control officer
• Military educational officer
• Staff development officer
• Law enforcement officer
• Member of the clergy (active or retired)
• High school or University/college faculty member (active or retired)
• Official learning/tutoring center representative
• Librarian
• Dean, academic department head or official testing service of an accredited university or college (active or retired)
• Education Outreach Representative
• Commissioned or non-commissioned officer of higher rank than the student (minimum E-6) - For active duty military Final Exam Test Taking Regulations.