CON Undergraduate Testing

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Student Policies

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER
COLLEGE OF NURSING

Undergraduate Testing

Subsection: 5.2.38

Section 5.0 - Student Policies

Originating Date: May 2018

Responsible Reviewing Agency:

Undergraduate Exam Support Committee

Responsible Approving Agency:

General Faculty Organization

Purpose

Establishes criteria for didactic content testing.

Scope

This policy applies to undergraduate students and faculty.

Policy

Testing processes have been established to ensure consistency in testing practices for didactic course content.

Exam Construction

Tests /exams are defined as 50 or more questions that evaluate the application of content from this course and previous coursework to patient situations. Nurse in Professional Practice I, II, & III, and Population Centered Care I are exempt from the exam requirements.
Each didactic course will give a minimum of 2 tests/exams
1. Sem 1 & 2: to contain a minimum of 50 items on exams and 75 items on a final,
  Sem 3 & 4: to contain a minimum of 60 items on exams and 85 items on a final.
Category tags shall be entered in the exam software so that student strengths and opportunities reports can be generated.

Exam Delivery

The University of Nebraska College of Nursing prepares students in a similar testing environment and style as the current licensure testing (NCLEX). Exams are computer based with no backward navigation enabled. This is a strategy for student success.

Unit and final exams are proctored and administered in a secure environment.
Unit and final exams will be given using the UNMC specified exam/evaluation software. Quizzes (e.g., iRAT, gRAT, med math) are exempt from this requirement.
Exams will be taken on either a student’s device, a UNMC College of Nursing issued device, or at a campus testing site. For students testing on their own device, students must download and register their testing device within the UNMC specified exam/evaluation software. If there are difficulties in downloading the software, students are expected to work with technical support from the company to resolve issues prior to taking exams.
1. Students who are not able to take the exam as scheduled are expected to notify the course coordinator as soon as possible prior to the scheduled start time for the exam.
2. Exams start on time and students are expected to be present.
  1. Students who arrive more than 5 minutes late will need to work with the course faculty to either reschedule or complete the exam.
  2. Students who begin the exam after the start time will need to complete the exam at the same time as the rest of the class who began on time, unless otherwise determined by the course faculty.
3. If students experience an urgent issue (e.g., technical issues or illness) during the exam, they are required to notify the exam proctor immediately.
4. Students who are unable to complete the exam once started will be required to make-up/retake the exam and may be given an alternate format exam.
5. Students can leave the exam room during the exam only with proctor permission.
6. Students are required to upload their exam file upon completing the exam and prior to leaving the exam room. Exams not uploaded may receive a zero for that exam.
7. Incorrect exam responses are shared with students via the review option in the exam/evaluation software immediately following the exam.
8. If a passing score is not achieved, students will be required to meet with course faculty to review incorrect exam responses.
9. Students have the right to seek clarification about exam items and must contact faculty within 72 hours after the completion of the exam.
Make-up exams will be scheduled at the discretion of the course coordinator and will follow the guidelines published in the course syllabus.
1. An alternate exam format may include essay, short answer, and multiple choice. The test/exam shall be worth the same number of points as the original.
2. The date and time for a make-up exam will be determined by the course coordinator/instructor. See CON Policy 5.2.18 in related documents.
Students are only allowed items needed for testing at their computer. See Students section below for specific examples. Faculty reserve the right to inspect any items that are at the testing location with the student.
1. Needed testing items will be provided by CON personnel.
  1. Scratch paper provided by the proctor and used during the exam is not an official document and will not be considered in determining a student’s exam grade. Proctors will collect all scratch paper and dispose of appropriately.
  2. Unit and final exams and exam questions are to remain in the testing environment.
2. Device attachments (i.e., chargers) can be used only for the sole purpose of completing the exam.
3. No excessive attire is allowed during testing. Students must submit a written request for an attire exception to the assistant dean on the student’s division. Written documentation of the approved exception must be shared by the student with CON personnel as needed.

Accommodations

Students are required to adhere to the Accommodation Policy (ADA Policy) that is listed in the UNMC Student Policies and Procedures (see policy in related documents).
Students with accommodations must present their letter of accommodations from the UNMC Accessibility Services Office to the course coordinator at least one week prior to any exam for which accommodations are requested. Once the letter has been provided to the coordinator, the accommodations will remain in effect for the length of time specified in the letter or until the student in writing indicates the accommodations are no longer needed.
Accommodated students are expected to comply with timely arrival at the location for testing identified by the course coordinator.
Faculty will prepare accommodation materials and resources as specified in student letter.

Procedure Start

Exam Requirements

Students
1. Pre-exam
  - For students testing on their own device:
    - Students must download and register their testing device with the software used for the exam.
    - If there are difficulties in downloading the software, students are expected to work with technical support from the company to resolve issues prior to the exam. Students unable to resolve issues should let the course coordinator know so that a computer is available for them for the exam.
    - Students must download the exam prior to arriving in the testing room. Students will not be able to access the exam until provided the password by exam proctors. If students discover technical difficulties after the exam has been downloaded, students should notify the course faculty who created the test so that another download can be made available.
    - Students should bring a fully charged device and the charger to the exam.
    - Device attachments can be used only for the sole purpose of completing the exam.
  - Students who are not able to take the exam as scheduled are expected to notify the course coordinator as soon as possible prior to the scheduled start time for the exam.
  - If students experience an urgent issue (e.g., technical issues or illness) during the exam, they are expected to notify the exam proctor immediately.
  - Students who are unable to complete the exam once started will be required to retake the exam and may be given an alternate format exam.
  - Exams start on time and students are expected to be present. Students should arrive with sufficient time to stow personal belongings and be in the seat ready to begin at the designated start time. Students who arrive more than 5 minutes late will need to work with the course coordinator to reschedule the exam.
  - Students who begin the exam after the start time will need to complete the exam at the same time as the rest of the class who began on time.
  - Once students have stowed personal belongings, no study notes should be accessible in the exam room.
  - Student phones and smart watches are in off mode and stowed with other personal items.
  - Winter wear, scarfs, hats, and visors removed, and hoodie head wear removed and stowed with other personal items.
  - Students who wish an exception to any component of the policy for health, religious, or other reasons, should submit a written request for an exception to the Assistant Dean on his or her division. The request must specify the type and appearance of any garment for which the student seeks an exception. The Assistant Dean will confer with the Program Director, who will confer with appropriate others, will advise the student if the request can be granted, and will communicate any other guidelines that must be followed. Students will be provided written documentation of the approved exception and are responsible for sharing this documentation with faculty and appropriate others as needed.
2. Exam
  - Unit and final exams will be given using the UNMC specified exam/evaluation software. Quizzes (e.g., iRAT, gRAT, med math) are exempt from this requirement.
  - Unit and final exams are proctored by faculty and/or staff and administered in a secure environment.
  - Students are required to upload their exam file upon completing the exam and prior to leaving the exam room. Exams not uploaded may receive a zero for that exam.
3. Post-exam
  - Unit and final exams and exam questions are to remain in the testing environment.
  - Note paper used during the exam is not an official document and will not be considered in determining a student’s exam grade.
  - Make-up exams will be scheduled at the discretion of the course coordinator and will follow the guidelines published in the course syllabus. See CON Policy 5.2.18
  - Students seeking clarification about selected exam items must contact faculty within 24 hours of exam completion to review the exam.
  - Students may review their individual exam with faculty. Students are expected to contact faculty for an appointment.
4. Accommodations
  - Students with accommodations must present their letter of accommodations from the UNMC Disabilities Office to the course coordinator at least one week prior to any exam for which accommodations are requested. Once the letter has been provided to the coordinator, the accommodations will remain in effect for the length of time specified in the letter or until the student indicates the accommodations are no longer needed.
  - Faculty must notify, as soon as possible, the On-line Testing Coordinator and any other personnel needed to facilitate testing accommodations.
  - Accommodated students are expected to comply with timely arrival at the location for testing identified by the course coordinator.
  - Students testing via a paper copy will use a specified form to record exam answers. Once the exam is completed, either the student, faculty, or staff, as specified by the campus, will transfer the exam answers to the exam software. Transferring of the exam answers is not included in the allotted exam time.
Faculty
1. Pre-exam
  - Exams will be available for posting two business day prior to the scheduled exam time.
  - Faculty will determine proctors for main testing room and any accommodation testing rooms.
  - On campuses that use affiliated University testing services, complete the accommodated testing form.
  - Prepare accommodation materials as specified in student letter.
  - Provide access to an electronic copy of the exam for proctors in case of technical issues.
  - Arrange for any needed supplies during the exam (e.g., calculators, scratch paper, writing utensils).
  - Approve of items kept at the computer with the student, including tissues.
2. Exam
  - Insure students have all equipment required.
  - Students are provided one sheet of scratch paper that must be turned in at the end of the exam.
  - Students can leave the exam room during the exam only with proctor permission.
  - Students can use personal noise-cancelling earplugs/headphones. No devices with Bluetooth capability or attached cords are allowed.
  - Cell phone calculators are not allowed.
  - Proctors will respond to technical issues but will not answer questions related to exam content.
3. Post-exam
  - Collect and secure all scratch paper.