[DeltAlum]

We had test files in the Shelter way back in the 60's.

Seems to me that if the files help you memorize answers to what the instructors feel are important enough to test you on -- they've done a service to both professor and student.

That's probably why some mentioned above purposely allow their tests to be kept in a public place.

edit

Let me add this. When I was on the Adjunct Faculty at the University of Colorado J-School, my desire was for everyone in the class to learn something and get top marks -- everyone. Some faculty seem to consider grades to be a contest between them and the students.

While the famous "bell shaped curve" may be legitimate in many cases, I see nothing at all wrong with it being top heavy with A's as long as the student is learning the material.

At that time, there were no books in the topic I was teaching (TV Sports Production), so the class relied heavily on lectures and guest appearances by other professionals. My tests were all "open notes." Maybe I'm wrong, but I'll bet that having to go back through the notes to answer the questions made the knowledge "stick."

That logic might cause some gastric discomfort for professional teachers, so it's probably a good thing I'm not one of them.

But I got top reviews from my students on their evaluations.