2008 Woodie Awards
Final Exams: An Adequate Test of your Overall Knowledge?
Logan J. Williams
Issue date: 12/20/06 Section: Submissions
- Page 1 of 1
The fall semester is rapidly approaching its conclusion; students and faculty are anxiously awaiting a well-deserved month-long winter break. However, before the William Paterson University community and college students across the nation can enjoy time off, they must endure a grueling week of final exams.
Final exams are a staple of the college landscape and have been used as a way to 'test' students' knowledge of each individual course in which they are enrolled.
During the weeks leading to finals, many students find themselves cramming an entire semester into just a few days of studying. And, it's not for just one class.
The main criticism of final exams is, due to the fact that students have a number of exams to prepare for and take in just a few days, are they an accurate measure of the knowledge gained from a particular class?
"Final exams are good because they incorporate all the material from the entire semester and allow students to draw conclusions from it," said Alicia Bennett, a graduate student. "But, if you have more than one in a few days, you can't focus as hard on each exam."
"Finals are not my favorite method," said Professor Carol Greski, who teaches theater and voice-speech production. "They can be fairly accurate and ideally assess course content, but it depends on the type of course itself."
The traditional idea of a final exam is a conclusive exam from the first day of classes until the day of the final. Some professors have migrated to a non-comprehensive final, which covers from the midterm exam until the final day of class.
"Midterms aren't cumulative so it's less to focus on," said Bennett. "If you earned a good grade the first time, you shouldn't have to cram again (for the final)."
Junior English major, Lindsay Bulmer agreed.
"Students get scared that the exam is going to be hard," she said. "We all freak."
However, in recent years, students and professors have questioned how well these finals actually measure the knowledge gained throughout the semester.
"It's important to have a variation of grades," said Greski. "Some students are not strong test takers and others not strong writers."
Some professors have actually eliminated the idea of final exams all together. Instead, they prefer to have students write a final essay instead.
"By writing essays, it's implied that you have a command of the material," said Bennett.
In an even further revolt from the final exam ideal, some professors offer 'finals,' which are based upon just a few chapters.
"This also shows the professor how students are doing throughout the whole semester and not just twice, (midterm and final)," said Bulmer.
Despite differing opinions of final exams, class requires a final assignment. The only option students have is to research their classes and professors before choosing to enroll in them. This way, students will know what to expect during the final week of the semester.
Final exams are a staple of the college landscape and have been used as a way to 'test' students' knowledge of each individual course in which they are enrolled.
During the weeks leading to finals, many students find themselves cramming an entire semester into just a few days of studying. And, it's not for just one class.
The main criticism of final exams is, due to the fact that students have a number of exams to prepare for and take in just a few days, are they an accurate measure of the knowledge gained from a particular class?
"Final exams are good because they incorporate all the material from the entire semester and allow students to draw conclusions from it," said Alicia Bennett, a graduate student. "But, if you have more than one in a few days, you can't focus as hard on each exam."
"Finals are not my favorite method," said Professor Carol Greski, who teaches theater and voice-speech production. "They can be fairly accurate and ideally assess course content, but it depends on the type of course itself."
The traditional idea of a final exam is a conclusive exam from the first day of classes until the day of the final. Some professors have migrated to a non-comprehensive final, which covers from the midterm exam until the final day of class.
"Midterms aren't cumulative so it's less to focus on," said Bennett. "If you earned a good grade the first time, you shouldn't have to cram again (for the final)."
Junior English major, Lindsay Bulmer agreed.
"Students get scared that the exam is going to be hard," she said. "We all freak."
However, in recent years, students and professors have questioned how well these finals actually measure the knowledge gained throughout the semester.
"It's important to have a variation of grades," said Greski. "Some students are not strong test takers and others not strong writers."
Some professors have actually eliminated the idea of final exams all together. Instead, they prefer to have students write a final essay instead.
"By writing essays, it's implied that you have a command of the material," said Bennett.
In an even further revolt from the final exam ideal, some professors offer 'finals,' which are based upon just a few chapters.
"This also shows the professor how students are doing throughout the whole semester and not just twice, (midterm and final)," said Bulmer.
Despite differing opinions of final exams, class requires a final assignment. The only option students have is to research their classes and professors before choosing to enroll in them. This way, students will know what to expect during the final week of the semester.
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