Start A&P 2 with a Final Exam

I always start my A&P 2 with a final exam. WHAT?! Yep, that's right. I start with a FINAL exam!

It's a version of the final exam that I give my A&P 1 students. I warn them in A&P 1 that they need to retain all these concepts . . . they'll surely see them again. Then when they return from their break to start A&P 2, WHAM! Right in the face.

I call this exam that starts off my A&P 2 course "Test Zero." It's before the first regular test of A&P 2, Test One, so that makes sense. But it does "count" toward their course grade. It's a randomized, online test that they can do up to three times (each attempt is a different version of the exam).

Test Zero reviews the entire A&P 1 course--including the hard parts. It helps them brush up on what I want them to know to be successful in their A&P 2 course. And later courses.

It's also another opportunity for them to practice. As we all know, if we don't use it, we'll lose it.

I've done this for many years now and it works wonderfully. I can really see a difference each time we encounter an "old" idea from A&P 1.

Want to know more?

• Teaching as Testing.
• Kevin Patton
• The Electronic Professor 27 Feb 2009
• [Article outlining my use of randomized online testing as a mechanism of needed practice. Includes links to a full video presentation.]
• my-ap.us/p3rM6B

• Practice. Practice. Practice.
• Kevin Patton
• Lion Tamers Guide to Teaching 3 December 2010
• [Article on the role of practice in teaching and learning, using the analogy of taming lions.]
• my-ap.us/WjNHLn