Grading for the course is based on points earned on the six(6) chapter tests and
the departmental final exam (Version 5).
Please note that the chapter tests are relatively unique to my sections but that the
department final is common across all sections.
As such, the questions on the departmental final are
often stated in a "different voice" from the chapter tests.
Students are advised to
use the departmental final (from my web page) to ask questions as we move through topics.
In any case,
each chapter test is worth 100 points and
the
departmental final is worth 200 points.
Thus, the maximum score is 800 points.
There is no way to earn points other than through the tests.
Test questions are graded as right or wrong, there is no partial credit!
To take a test each student must send an email to me requesting the test.
I will then create a test, from my web page, and send
a pdf version of that test, along with
a personalized blank answer sheet, to the student via email (using the WCC email account).
The student then has up to 48 hours, but not extending beyond
11:59:59 p.m. (EST) Monday, November 22, 2021,
to send the completed answer sheet back to me via an email attachment.
Grades are assigned as
Total semester points
Assigned Grade
720 to 800
A
640 to 719
B+
560 to 639
C+
480 to 559
D+
0 to 479
F
You may note that grades such as A-, B, B-, C, C-, D, and D- are not assigned.
They will not be given.
I can barely justify the assignment of the five grades noted in the table.
A finer distinction
is an absurdity!
Grading for tests
Grading for each test, the chapter tests and the final, is based on a weighted
rolling average of at most the last three times the test is taken.
Thus, if a student takes a test once then that is the test score.
If a student takes a test and then does a retake of the test,
then
the recorded test score
is equal to one third of the sum of the first test
score and twice the second test score.
For example, taking a test and getting a score of 70 and then taking a retest
and getting a score of 82 results in a recorded test score of
78,
(70 + 82*2 )/3 = (70+164)/3 = 234/3 = 78
The recorded test score for taking a test and
two retests is one-sixth of the sum of the first test score
plus twice the second test score plus three times the third test score.
For example, taking a test three times and getting scores of 70, 82, and 90
results in a recorded test score of 84,
The recorded test score for taking a test five times ignores the
results of the first two tests and only does the weighted average of the
final three tests.
For example, taking a test five times and
getting scores of 70, 82, 90, 90, and 96
produces a recorded test score of 93,
the scores for the first two tests are ignored,
Note that with this system it is possible
to raise your grade to 100 for
a test score even if you bomb the test the first time.
You just need to keep retaking the test until you get three
100's in a row.
Taking and Retaking Tests
In order to take or retake a test you will need to send me an email asking for
the test that you want. Once I have sent, via email, the test and
a personalized blank answer sheet you
will have up to 48 hours to complete the test and email the completed answer sheet back to me
[all tests must me completed by 11:59:59 p.m. (EST) Monday, November 22, 2021].
For example, you might send an email that says:
Please send me test #4. I will complete and return the answer sheet to you within 48 hours.
In response (though not necessarily immediately) I will create a personalized
version of that test for
you, in pdf format, and an associated personalized answer sheet as a text document.
I will then email both of those documents to you.
You will open, possibly print, the test.
You will open the answer sheet in a text editor, in Notepad or Word on a PC,
in TextEdit or Word on a Mac, or using Google Docs if you prefer.
For whatever it is worth, for the first six tests my preference is that you use a text editor
(Notepad or TextEdit), with a
second preference that you use Word, and that you use Google Docs as a last resort.
On the other hand, using Word or Google docs works better for the departmental final.
But that is just my preference and you need to use the method that works best for you.
Once you have received the requested test and answer sheet, take the test and
record your answers on the answer sheet.
Save the answer sheet and email the completed
answer sheet to me.
You have up to 48 hours from the time I email the test
until the time that you email back the answer sheet
[all tests must me completed by 11:59:59 p.m. (EST) Monday, November 22, 2021].
In response, though again not immediately, I will grade the test answer sheet,
record the grade on Blackboard,
and email a scan of the graded answer sheet along with the correct answers to you.
There are limitations related to taking retests
but most of those limitations are merely time limitations.
If you have taken a test then
you should not even request a retest until the previous test has
been graded and returned to you.
After that you may request, via email, a retest.
This is just a repeat of the process for taking the test the first time.
This system is really generous for the early tests because
you have until the last class day to do retakes.
As the semester progresses the time to retake a test diminishes to the
point where there is little time to do retakes on the last topics test
and on the final(s). Of course, you can increase the time you have for re-takes by taking the tests
earlier than we have on the schedule.
To do this you will need to read and study ahead of the class presentations.
I am sorry about the limited time toward the end of the semester but grades are required to be
submitted a day and a half after the last class meeting day for your section.
Still, this does mean that you have ample opportunity to get used to the testing
style and to learn how to prepare for and take the tests.
The other restriction is that if you have a grade of 75% or less on a test,
you should not request a retake unless you have gone over the mistakes on
the earlier test with me. I am available at mutually acceptable times,
usually at the end of class or right after class.
I want you to succeed and
I want to be there to help you understand the problems and the solutions.
Test availability
The tests are on the web site.
Note that every time you reload the web page
for a test the system generates a new test (and, of course, a new answer sheet).
You are free to practice the test as often as you like.
When it is time to
make a the test for you I will simply go to the same
web page and produce a pdf version of that test for you.
As noted above, I will email that test to you and
you will have to take the test and
email back the personalized answer sheet.
Taking tests on the material is part of the
course and it is meant to be a learning experience.
It is your
responsibility to find the time out of your schedule to take tests and retests.
Notes for tests
Tests and the exam are open notes, open book, open computer, and open
internet connection if you have one, but closed phone.
The test is given on the honor system where you, and only you, are to be doing
the work on the test.
Each test ends with a
section where you will be asked to make a statement to the effect that
the work on the test is your work.
Falling behind
The class calendar gives suggested dates for taking tests.
Those are mere suggestions. You can request and take tests
earlier or later than the suggested date without
penalty, other than the shortened time to retake a test
if you delay taking it the first time.
Falling behind the schedule is not a particularly good idea,
but neither is taking a test
for which you are not at all prepared.
Although missing
a test does not give you an official zero score for the test,
it also does not give you any points for the test.
Since the final grade for the course is based on
accumulated recorded points,
completely missing a test has the effect of getting a zero.
Thus, if a student were to miss tests three and four but have 95's on
the other four chapter tests and 185 on the departmental final,
then the student would have earned 565 points
4*95 + 185 = 380 + 185 = 565
and the resulting grade would be a C+.
Using the tutors
I am not sure if the tutoring service will even be available this semester
as we do these virtual classrooms.
However, if tutors are available please understand that
the tutors are not there to teach the material. Nor are they there
to take tests, even practice tests, for you.
Please note that the tutors have been instructed to limit their services to
helping you understand my various web pages.
Thus, if you go into the tutor and ask for help with question 44 on TEST 2, the tutor should respond with
"what part of Palay's web pages relating to this do you not understand?"
The material needed to understand question 44 on Test 2 is on my web page called
Probability: Binomial Distribution.
You would have to point out where on the web page you got lost. Then the tutor will help you
understand what the web page is describing.
In short, there is nothing on any test that is not covered in one of my web pages.
I really do not recommend that you use a tutor other than using me to provide additional help
with the material. I really do want you to succeed! I try to be available for individual and/or small group
meetings outside of class time. If you are experiencing difficulties in learning the material
please contact me to set up some "tutoring" time.