Open book exams

[audreysmagic, RN]

PRAISE THE NURSING GODS FOR OPEN-BOOK EXAMS.

...actually, I could leave this post at that and call it a day. Technically, unless it's proctored, any test in an online program could be open-book if you don't get caught. But I have ethics about that and though I don't know how they'd catch me, a strong sense of paranoia even if I was inclined to peek.

I'm in the RN-MSN program at Jacksonville University online (the nursing educator track), which I'm loving if you're looking for one, and their official policy is that no exam is open-book unless the instructor says so. I'm always WAY better on assignments than exams (wicked test anxiety) so I really appreciated when one of my classes last term allowed open-book. This term, both my classes do! One especially makes sense, as it's a research course. I've had a lot going on at work, so this is a relief.

I see a lot of grumbling about open-book in a lot of academic communities, and I can respect the opinions of those who feel memorization is key. Some things you do need to memorize. But my feeling is, open-book isn't open-Internet (though that's a valid resource if you know how to verify your sources). And if you don't know WHERE in the book to find something, open-book won't help you because you'll waste all your test time searching aimlessly. I personally feel understanding a concept (as evidenced in discussions and assignments) is far more important than being able to recite facts - and knowing how to find information in reference guides is also important. Of course, maybe I'm biased because I do better on written assignments. :-D

I'm definitely getting a great feel already for some of of what my teaching style will be when I finish my program...

[The_Muffintime]

I'm sorry but that sounds like a wonderful recipe for failing the NCLEX

Edit: I see it's a teaching MSN. That's different I suppose. I wouldn't ever want to go to an RN program that did open book, but I doubt they exist. Good luck going forward

[caliotter3]

I distinctly remember my first open book final exam. It was a perfect example of not enough time to look everything up. It was even not enough time to look a lot of things up, much less everything. Left that room shell shocked.

[audreysmagic, RN]

I distinctly remember my first open book final exam. It was a perfect example of not enough time to look everything up. It was even not enough time to look a lot of things up, much less everything. Left that room shell shocked.

Oh, yes, that's DEFINITELY the trap of open book. People who rely on it as a way to avoid studying will get burned. It's critical to already know your material to know exactly where to look, and use it as a way to rule out one answer over another instead of planning on it to answer the question for you. I am pro open book, obviously, in a lot of circumstances, but if it's used correctly, it certainly won't replace having a good command of your material. It's there as an adjunct, not your primary tool.

[audreysmagic, RN]

I'm sorry but that sounds like a wonderful recipe for failing the NCLEX

Edit: I see it's a teaching MSN. That's different I suppose. I wouldn't ever want to go to an RN program that did open book, but I doubt they exist. Good luck going forward

Thanks for the well-wishes. (I replied to this earlier, but it didn't seem to go through, so apologies if it double-posts.) I agree that memorization does absolutely have its place, especially when it comes to basic facts. I did manage a B in an intense assessment course that had proctored exams and no notes of any kind allowed - and 14 years working as a nurse helped me greatly there. I find open book works best when the testing is related to concept/theory. Used as a tool, not a crutch, as I elaborated on in my other reply here. A smart student knows how to double-check themselves, not rely on the book for all the answers. And my school uses a test bank, so our professors don't have the option to tailor-make tests or eliminate questions that they feel are misleading.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

I love open book tests and I don't see an issue with them. Assuming there is a time limit, if you don't know your stuff, you're not going to be able to pass it, period. Even google can't save you (especially since we're required to use the Lockdown browser at my current school).

We have a "take home" exam in my A&P II class, and despite it not being timed and being totally open book, it was difficult (it was a test on things she didn't cover in lecture) and I learned a lot. She writes her own tests though, so maybe that makes a difference.

[audreysmagic, RN]

I love open book tests and I don't see an issue with them. Assuming there is a time limit, if you don't know your stuff, you're not going to be able to pass it, period.

That's my big point. If you're using it to find the answers and not to double-check yourself, you're going to run out of time fast. Especially as most timed tests allot 1 minute or less per question.

[ArceusAlpha]

I had a few open book tests for physiology. I hated them. The questions were made to be extremely difficult and very specific, and the textbook we had to use was well over 400 pages with tiny font. We also had a time limit which made it worse.

You spend more time trying to find the answers on the textbook than actually trying to interpret the question. It was probably set up for failure IMO, and it's not what a test should be. A test is responsible for examining your performance on the subject, and open book does NOT do that.

[shasta13]

I had a few open book tests for physiology. I hated them. The questions were made to be extremely difficult and very specific, and the textbook we had to use was well over 400 pages with tiny font. We also had a time limit which made it worse.

You spend more time trying to find the answers on the textbook than actually trying to interpret the question. It was probably set up for failure IMO, and it's not what a test should be. A test is responsible for examining your performance on the subject, and open book does NOT do that.

I have found this to be my experience with open book exams. I only had them in developmental psychology--what I thought would be the easiest class--and it was very rough. I ended up having to do two extra credit projects to get an A. So glad the prof gave us that opportunity.

[MikeyT-c-IV]

I remember a couple open book tests prior to nursing school. Here's the trick. You've got to study the material and learn as much as you can. Take the test without the book and if you stumble on a question you don't know you'll still have plenty of time to look it up. Or when in doubt, C it out.

School is too expensive to not really learn the material. That's my opinion.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

I had a few open book tests for physiology. I hated them. The questions were made to be extremely difficult and very specific, and the textbook we had to use was well over 400 pages with tiny font. We also had a time limit which made it worse.

You spend more time trying to find the answers on the textbook than actually trying to interpret the question. It was probably set up for failure IMO, and it's not what a test should be. A test is responsible for examining your performance on the subject, and open book does NOT do that.

You're not meant to be searching for answers, you're meant to be confirming the answer you get from having reviewed the material beforehand.

[ArceusAlpha]

You're not meant to be searching for answers, you're meant to be confirming the answer you get from having reviewed the material beforehand.

I know, but the way the instructor wrote the exam, she definitely wrote it up for failure because the questions were far too specific that you'd literally have to have impressive photographic memory to remember everything you've read on the textbook.

This was my experience from this particular class. It makes sense though, especially since you have an extensive "cheat sheet" in front of you, so the questions they decide to use are definitely far more difficult than a normal test I'd think.