A&P class problems - need opinion

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I am taking A&P I this fall. We are half way through the term and I am doing well but have been studying like crazy to get my A's. On the last test, someone from one A&P class stole a test and gave it to their friend in another A&P class (same teacher, same test). The teacher found out about it and now is punishing the entire class by giving us tests that are all fill-in-the-blank and essay questions for the rest of the term. I am so upset with all this that I can't even concentrate in class anymore. I'm thinking about dropping the class all together because I just don't think I can maintain my average with these new tests.

I need your honest opinions. Am I being a big baby about this or is this teacher really being unfair? How are your A&P tests? Are they multiple choice or fill in the blank and essay?

Any advice?

BTW, I have already talked to her personally and told her I had nothing to do with (and no knowledge about) the stolen test and she's not budging.

Thanks for your opinion.

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GodivaGirl,

If you have talked to the professor and she knows you had nothing to do with it, I would tough it out. I too am taking this class and spend hours each week studying. Our tests are scantron but he will use it where answers can be up to 10 choices each (we have to color in 2 circles for the one answer). It is a difficult class anyway you slice it. My opinion is tough it out and stay on course if you really have a passion to be a nurse. Dropping it half way through will just set you back too. Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU.

I have always felt that fill-in-the-blank and essay tests were easier than multiple choice and T/F. Something about science multiple choice can be incredibly tricky. I hope it all works out for you!

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Thanks so much for your responses. I typically studied well enough for the last few tests that I could have taken them essay style, BUT spelling counts on these upcoming ones! GULP!! Spelling is not my strong point.

I'm feeling a bit better and your responses helped. I keep telling myself that I will probably learn more in the long run. It will only make me a better nurse when I get there someday.

But I still can't help feeling like this . . . . .

:idntdt:

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You will still rise to the top. Its like our 50 fill in blank, up to 2 letters mispelled, practicals. Its hard but you learn anyway (but yes, it takes 4X longer to study for).

Point blank, ask the teacher the chances of you making the grade comparably (taking more of your time alloted to studying), and tell her you will drop it if not totally confident. Then if you are ****** enough at HER incompetance of maintaining test controls, that you will broadcast this on REPORTMYPROFESSORS.com. She sounds like a lazy teacher who doesn't want to make tests difficult and changing enough, so she just has one set of tests.

Her career may be short-lived. She is running the class like an US Army Bootcamp, threatening to keep trainees until a 'missing item' (that was never missing) is returned. You don't need that stress, and I'd also report her activities to the President of your school. You are not paying for having your time, money, and academic progress WASTED!!

imo :twocents:

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In my A&P 1 class we have to provide a direct answer to the question and we have to give back the test. Even when our test are returned to use, we have to give them back.

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I am probably in the minority, but I honestly prefer short answer and fill in the blank over multiple choice. I tend to confuse myself with multiple choice questions because I start overanalyzing all the options. Plus, many questions can be very tricky or worded in a confusing manner. My A&P tests were multiple choice (for the lecture portion at least - labs were fill in the blank), but my General Biology tests were all short answer/essay.

Try to stick it out until the next test and see how you do. If you feel the tests are unreasonable then drop the class. It may not be as bad as you think you will be though. Just give it a chance.

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Specializes in Med-surg.

My A&PII class for the entire semester, each test, each quiz and all homework assignments were fill in the blank. No multiple choice, no true false all 16 weeks...FILL In the Blank. Don't drop your class as if you are trying to get accepted into a nursing program if that is the case they tend to frown on that. Speak with your instructor and by all means clear your name if it's your credibility that you are concerned about. Fill in the blank is a pain in the blank and essay's are just as bad but I am telling you out of all honesty....You will retain it a whole lot better and a whole lot longer

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Now you will learn, but better?

You can teach to one type test or the other. Multiple choice can cover a much greater span of subject matter, and also offer an education after the test, before the final, and as a document of record which shows subtle variations of each question asked.

The fill in the blank is limited info, and an abrupt answer. And what exactly is the NCLEX format? Why? Hmmm, maybe more to the test format than repeating laundry lists.

I am not saying it cannot serve the same means of educating, but it would be difficult to contain a multiple time phased educational process by fill in the blanks (since it is NOT the norm). Irregardless, of the one-idea answers as the document of record for future reviews for fast re-matriculation; but what is the Probability the Instructor can immediately switch test styles over since it takes years to perfect one to a instruction style: AND ESPECIALLY since they cannot devise and control a test system robust enough to overcome the effects of test leaks. That's their job, and this is the only case I've heard in 4 previous degrees!

All I am saying is you better be prepared for the worst since the instructor seems to exhibit a new instructor's learning curve (raping students records along the way). I would take the time to write your defense to an unjust action, and type it up for the President, make an appointment with the instructor first, and then march over to the President's office to make an appointment (if not absolutely confident), while being ready to present your argument immediately.

If you would not feel confident, please do not do this. Not many would. But I am a serious student (not that others are not), and will make no concessions on my education, nor my educational record. And I'm not going to let an incompetent instructor screw my record up. I would also demand my money back from the President for the class, including financial aid repercussions.

Now if the NCLEX changes its format to fill in the blank, directed by this instructor, I'd be less inclined to argue. I'm reasonable :loveya:

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

if you have studied, what difference is it what the questions on the tests are like? either students know the answers or they don't. if you know the answers it will only take a few minutes longer to write them down. my burning question for the instructor would be "are you going to take off points for misspelling?" i wonder how many students asked the instructor that question?

there is information on the weblinks of these two sticky threads on how to study and take tests. taking tests is a skill that one learns with practice. nursing classes will be loaded with all kinds of new skills you will be required to learn having no previous knowledge of. walking away every time you get upset at that time will not be an option.

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Specializes in 2 years as CNA.
if you have studied, what difference is it what the questions on the tests are like? either students know the answers or they don't. if you know the answers it will only take a few minutes longer to write them down. my burning question for the instructor would be "are you going to take off points for misspelling?" i wonder how many students asked the instructor that question?

there is information on the weblinks of these two sticky threads on how to study and take tests. taking tests is a skill that one learns with practice. nursing classes will be loaded with all kinds of new skills you will be required to learn having no previous knowledge of. walking away every time you get upset at that time will not be an option.

i generally agree with you on this, however, for me sometimes i just draw a complete blank and when i see the answer in multiple choice form the answer comes to me. i know that on our lab practicals i have known the answer on several cases but just couldn't remember the term for the life of me but if i had seen it i would have definitely known the right answer. kwim? :banghead:

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Does she know who the perpetraitors are? If so, they should sanctioned by the school for cheating per the academic integrity policy. The whole class shouldn't be punished for their inability to maintain ethical test-taking standards.

However, I prefer the fill-in-the-blank style. For me, this better demonstrates my knowlege for the material. All of my A&P tests are multiple choice and I wish we could do fill-in-the-blank and short essay questions since I am prepared 100% for a test and it doesn't matter what form it's in. This course isn't *easy* by any standard so technically your tests will be more difficult because you don't have a 1/4, 1/3, or 1/2 a chance of getting the answer right and have to pull the answer from your brain.

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