Test banks?

[LouisaMay]

I am on the faculty of a major university, and I have to say on our end these "banks" are definitely looked down upon. However, I am in the interesting position of being a sorority volunteer who works toward supporting scholarship within 12 of our chapters. Rather than keeping actual tests and notes (which seems sketchy and not all that helpful since notes are so highly personalized), I encourage my chapters to keep lists of sisters who have taken certain courses or studied under certain professors, as well as lists of women who feel prepared to tutor or offer advice in specific subjects/fields. Sisters can consult this resource, look up a professor, and ask another sister what kinds of questions that professor likes to use in a final exam, for example.

[clarinette]

Originally Posted by LouisaMay

I am on the faculty of a major university, and I have to say on our end these "banks" are definitely looked down upon. However, I am in the interesting position of being a sorority volunteer who works toward supporting scholarship within 12 of our chapters. Rather than keeping actual tests and notes (which seems sketchy and not all that helpful since notes are so highly personalized), I encourage my chapters to keep lists of sisters who have taken certain courses or studied under certain professors, as well as lists of women who feel prepared to tutor or offer advice in specific subjects/fields. Sisters can consult this resource, look up a professor, and ask another sister what kinds of questions that professor likes to use in a final exam, for example.

That sounds like a wonderful idea!

[kdlady1]

That sounds like a really good idea I'll definitely start compiling these lists! thanks so much

[katydidKD]

Originally Posted by kdlady1

That sounds like a really good idea I'll definitely start compiling these lists! thanks so much

HQ has EXCELLENT ideas/resources regarding academic programming. Personally, I think some of their ideas are better than the old test banks (obviously it all depends on your chapter and what works.) I think if you get on the 24/7 Cabinet and do some searching you'll find excellent ideas of things that have worked for other Chapters for academics.

As far as test banks, I don't see why it is a problem as long as the material is not stolen/acquired in a shady way. If a prof hands back tests and says you can keep them, it then becomes your property, right? But, I don't think they are the most effective way of encouraging good academics. Lists of sisters who took classes and did well in them and can help > old notes/tests that may not even be relevant anymore to the class you are taking

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by LouisaMay

I am on the faculty of a major university, and I have to say on our end these "banks" are definitely looked down upon.

That can depend on the school and the academic department. When I was in law school, the law school library maintained the test bank for all law professors. Every single professor would advise us to look over his or her old tests as part of our studying.