Dark age testing policy

ohcomeon · Jun 10, 2011

Well whether it makes sense or not, this is what my school does as well. Although the test review is usually a week or so after our test. We review in our instructor's office with an answer key. We aren't allowed to take notes or write anything down. I think a lot of schools are this way from what I've read here.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Jun 10, 2011

My school did the same thing.

We have brought this issue up with the Nursing school, but they turn a deaf ear. I am tempted to think that their policy on this is a result of sheer laziness- they use a lot of the previous years questions, and if the tests were allowed out- they would have to make totaly new questions for the next one.
Students usually recreate the test questions ANYWAY so that the next ppl who take the test get a leg up--- but it doesn't help me learn from my mistakes... I feel this makes students learn the TESTS and not the MATERIAL!
Does this policy make sense to anyone?

I've ranted about this type of thing before. Reusing tests and test questions can so easily lead to cheating by future students, with the explicit help of current students.

I wish an academic nurse educator would explain why it's done this way in some schools.

mom22many · Jun 10, 2011

Interesting~i dont start until Jan 2012 and during orientation im going to ask this question because my A&P teacher let you take the test home and gave you an answer key when you left the exam~she rewrites all her tests~

1southernstudent · Jun 10, 2011

It's the same for us and you are not allowed to even see the final.

pitaya · Jun 11, 2011

I think this is common in nursing school. I wish I could keep all my old nursing tests, but I'm only allowed to review it in the company of the teacher for about 2 weeks after the test was taken. I have another degree and I was allowed to keep all of my biology tests, anatomy tests, Spanish tests, religion tests, etc. In many instances, the teachers even posted the old exams from the past year online so that we could use them to study!!! So I've never understood why nursing is so strict when other teachers from all kinds of other disciplines just re-write their exams and freely give us old tests.

rebecca9341 · Jun 11, 2011

Same thing at my university but at my university we are allowed two weeks to schedule a test review after the posting of grades. The test review is a load of crap...we sit with our clinical instructor and they ONLY tell us what topic we need to review. There is no looking at the test with an answer key and they especially won't answer any questions about the exam, they are only allowed to tell us what part of the book we need to reread.

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2011

Same policy where I am. The deal is, the instructors use a test bank from the publisher of all our text books. Both nursing instructors and other college instructors use these test banks because the questions and answers have been validated by prior testing. If the instructors made up their own questions, they may not match up to the types of questions asked on the NCLEX - which seems to be the only reason for all the testing. It would be nice if you could get feedback within a few days after the test when it is kind of fresh in your mind. I would request that.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2011

We take our tests online, via Blackboard. From what I've heard, in the past the professors did not allow the students to review the tests AT ALL. They just received a score. People complained, because after all, how are you supposed to know what you need to improve on if you don't know what you're getting wrong? So, this semester they have allowed us to see the answers after we submit our tests. It's been extremely helpful. I just recommend that you & your fellow students voice your concerns...it took a while for my school to change, but eventually they did. Good luck.

macgirl · Jun 12, 2011

We were told it is a state policy, that they need to be able to show the test if an inspector comes. It has to due with keeping there status as a nursing school. We are allowed to see the test after taking for up to a week after it's graded except for the final. we can write down the question we missed and the correct answer. Although i'm not sure were suppose to. For instance if we take the test on Wed then the next Wed when we review we get to read the questions we misssed and ask questions but after, we have to return the tests and scantrons.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jun 12, 2011

We didn't have to wait a month but we could not keep our tests or write anything down as well. We got a 10 minute review after the test, usually a few days and we had to hand it back in. It was to try and prevent cheating I believe.

lrlat · Jun 29, 2011

It is a very arcane procedure...however...cheating is rampant and all of these smart phones ect. have only added to the problem. Unfortunately...it does make it difficult for everyone else. Take comfort in the fact we are ALL in the same boat with you.