Students will have the opportunity to peruse sample exams and questions submitted by professors as Student Government revitalizes its test bank on PAWS.
SG Director of Academics Jeffrey Wale is compiling the bank by individually e-mailing University professors and asking for sample exams or questions. Wale has thus far contacted faculty in the colleges of Humanities and Social Sciences, Science, the Manship School of Mass Communication and the E.J. Ourso College of Business.
“Our goal is to help as many students as we can,” Wale said. “The impact right now is thousands of students, which I think is tremendous. Even if we only have a few professors participate, I’m thankful.”
But Academic Affairs Vice Provost T. Gilmour Reeve said the test bank plan lacks a detailed vision.
“Before Student Government starts to propose processes, they need a clear statement of what is going to happen and why, and then they can proceed,” Reeve said. “It’s like writing the rules to a game.”
Reeve said the decision for a professor to submit an exam must be weighed on a class-by-class basis.
“You need to think about your own course and your students and the pros and cons. It’s not an either-or, yes-no-type decision,” he said. “You have to ask, ‘How many students do you have? What kind of students? How many courses? How many sections? Is that class taught by one or multiple professors?'”
Reeve said he expects professors will be reluctant to submit materials because of the nature of the Internet and because courses and course objectives change, making old tests obsolete.
Lance Ginn, business management freshman, said he understands professor reluctance and believes a test bank may cause more students to miss class.
Though there is student support for the test bank, some students are concerned, as well.
“I’d be wary because sample tests may be helpful to learn, but the level of difficulty on the actual exam may differ,” said Alexis Patin, accounting sophomore.
History professor Karl Roider contributed to the test bank and said he puts sample exams with essay questions on Moodle to assist younger students.
“It’s mainly for first years. Freshmen don’t know how to approach and study for them,” Roider said. “I put them so students will know what it’s like.”
Hannah Alley, undeclared freshman, agreed with Roider.
“It gives a preview of what to expect, and it gives students a sneak peek of how tests are set up,” Alley said.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy has a different take. Department chair Michael Cherry said he publishes sample exams because it makes students feel more comfortable, but he doesn’t think it’s helpful.
“Physics requires students not memorizing acts, but understanding concepts,” Cherry said. “If the test bank is used as extra practice, then it’s great, but if it’s used to memorize, then it’s not a good tactic.”
Cherry said he believes students who use sample exams instead of working homework problems struggle in class.
“Time management and keeping up with homework are key,” Cherry said. “Publishing old tests doesn’t enforce that.”
Caroline Robinson, sports administration sophomore, said sample tests and pretests offered in her past classes have been helpful.
“Sometimes people don’t know what teachers are looking for,” Robinson said.
The test bank was initiated in 1994 and last updated in 2001, according to Wale. All old exams have been removed.
The test bank is currently labeled as “Sample Test Database” under Student Services on PAWS.
 
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Contact Andrea Gallo at [email protected]