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Where and when will the tests be given? There will be approximately 3 to 4 class tests and a final exam. Class tests and the final exam are all take-home tests and are weighted equally - meaning of course that the final exam counts the same as a class test. Actually, you will access the tests from the class website. It will be a form-based test, which you will enter the answers on and then send it by clicking the "submit" button. I will receive your work, grade it, and return your graded work to your email account soon thereafter. You will be able to use your books and notes, but may not - under any circumstances - give aid to or receive aid from anyone other that your professor during the test. Such activity is cheating and the penalties are extremely high. Tests will be given during a specific period. Each test is designed to take no more than 2 hours. The specific dates and times are given on the Test page of the class website. Check those out early, and make sure you are free some time during each testing date, because there are no make-up tests, no early tests, and no late tests.

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What do I need to study? Most importantly - the textbook. This will be the primary source. Next comes the on-line astronomy notes. Finally labs assigned up to the testing period and all discussions from the discussion forum.

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Can we moved tests to another day? Test dates and times are set before the first day of class and will not be changed or altered throughout the term unless we encounter some natural disaster or some similar event. If such an event causes a change in our testing schedule it will be posted on the forum - so as always, stay active on the forum.

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What type of questions will be on the tests? The test format may be multiple choice, identification, definitions, short answers, essay, and/or a mixture of these formats. I will not be any more precise at this time, because the emphasis will be on learning the concepts and nature of astronomy - not on the nature of testing.

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May I take the test early, later, or perhaps a makeup? Sorry, but no. There are no early tests, late tests, nor makeup tests; so if you miss one, it will be scored zero. So look now at the test schedule and plan to be free during part of the testing time.

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Will there be extra credit? There may be (but it is not guaranteed) several opportunities for extra credit work throughout the term. The most likely place will be on the discussion forum. There is a minimum required number of weekly posts to satisfy your attendance requirement. To be eligible for extra credit at the end of the term, you must participate up and beyond the minimum requirements on the forum each and every week. There may be other specific activities for extra credit, and they will generally be posted on the forum or on the Weekly Outline pages with a due date and time. So keep active on the forum so as not to miss any of these.

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How do I know my test grade? Grades will not be posted. Once you complete the test and click submit, the next page that automatically pops up is the confirmation page. Record, copy, or print that page, since your grade is stated there. I do not (cannot) email grades, so if you want to know your grades, you must keep up with them.

On the test you might have received a score on the confirmation page of score: 33/45 points (73%) where I would record you have earned a 73 on the test.

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What is the Final Exam like? Well, it is cumulative covering all chapters listed on the Weekly Activities page. The format and number of questions will be very similar to the class tests. The exam is structured to see what you have learned from your readings, activities, labs, and postings. So you'll want to review all terms and topics from the term as well as labs and class tests.

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May we exempt the final? No, all test must be taken - including the final exam.

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Are there any times we should not post questions and answers on the forum pertaining to a test? Yes there are such time. You may only post questions & answers on the forum before or after the testing period (see the Test Schedule); however, once testing starts, no one is allowed to post questions or answers or comments pertaining to the test or the testing material until the testing period is complete. Often the posts on the forum are purged during this period to clean up the forum and make it ready for the next round of posts.

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What may I use on the test? You may use your calculator, textbook, notes, or any other astronomy-related books. However, you may not discuss, in any form or fashion, this test with anyone other than your professor until the testing period is over. Let me add that you may not plagiarize even a little. That would be cheating, and cheating on take-home tests result in very serious consequences.

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How long do I actually have to take the test? A well-prepared student will probably need less than the 2 hours set aside for the test. The test is not designed for you to work on some of it now and the rest later. Only start once you are ready to take the test. Please read the instructions once you access the test. Don't wait too late during the testing period to start. Only start when you can devote at least two, non-stop hours to the test. If you encounter any computer problems, then you must seek out another computer to start over before the testing period ends. You may use computers at home, office, public libraries, and/or on MTC's campus. It is totally your responsibility to find a working computer for each and every test, and if the computer or internet fails, then you must seek out another computer within the testing hours (another good reason not to put taking the test off). After the end of the testing period, late submissions will accrue a penalty of 1 point per minute.

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Why do you give open-book take-home tests? I offer these tests for you. Just for you to take at home with over a full day to find time including allowing you to use your textbook, notes, and the Internet in the hope that you will find this less stressful and more fulfilling. I prefer this low-stress approach to the older method where the students had to come to campus and take the test in the testing center without access to their textbook, notes, or the Internet. They were monitored by staff and had a two hour time limit. I would prefer not to have to do this to my students, but that can happen if someone abuses this privilege by cheating or submitting a falsified test with their wrong name or ID number or email address. In the past when someone has tried to cheat, we were able to locate them - give them a fixed zero - and required them to take all further tests on campus. If we are unable to locate the cheater, then the entire "at-home" testing will be discontinued and testing will occur on campus under the conditions listed above. So don't cheat and don't let anyone involve you in cheating.

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