Exams

Exams

Pre-licensure Testing Policy

TEST PREPARATION
Course Exams administered in nursing courses will maximally account for 80% of the total course points.
Test questions are derived from the course Learning Outcomes which support overall BSN Program Outcomes and Nursing Competencies. Each semester is designed to expand upon the knowledge gained in the previous semesters; therefore, questions may reflect outcomes and expectations from previous courses within the Nursing Program and pre-requisite courses, such as Anatomy and Physiology.
Weighting of exams and other assignments is established in the criteria for grade determination found in each course syllabus. Students must achieve an overall exam average of 75% or higher to pass the course. Grades from other assignments will then be calculated to obtain overall course grade.

Nursing exams are modeled after the current NCLEX-RN Test Plan (https://www.ncsbn.org/testplans.htm ). All question types may include exhibits of multimedia, tables, graphics, sound, and video. Question types may include but are not limited to:

  • Multiple Response
  • Multiple Choice
  • Fill-in-the-Blank
  • Calculation
  • Hot-spot
  • Drag-and-drop/Ordered Response Item
  • Next Gen NCLEX-RN questions

EXAMINATION TEST PREPARATION REVIEW
It is at the faculty’s discretion if a study guide or test preparation review is provided. The format, depth, duration, date, and time are also at the faculty’s discretion.

TEST ADMINISTRATION AND EXAM SECURITY
No additional items should be brought to the testing room by the student unless approved by the instructor. Any items brought into the testing area should be placed in the designated area away from the student’s computer.

  • Head coverings (hats/hoodies/scarves) are not allowed in the testing area, with the exception of religious head coverings.
  • All documents or items brought into the testing area must be pre-approved by faculty prior to the day of the exam.
  • All non-approved items, such as cell phones, smartwatches, and all other electronic devices may not be used during the test and must be turned off and stored in the designated area.
  • Written, electronic, or any other materials are not allowed to be used during the exam unless specified by the instructor.
  • If a scratch paper is needed for the exam, it will be provided by the faculty and the student must clearly write their name on each sheet. All Scratch papers MUST be turned into faculty when the exam is completed.
  • Verification of submission of tests conducted in-person using electronic software is required prior to the student leaving the classroom.
  • If the test is not administered electronically, test packets and answer sheets MUST have student name and ID clearly written on the first page, be turned in to the instructor at the end of the test period, and be accounted for prior to students leaving.
  • All borrowed laptops and/or calculators must be returned to the instructor and accounted for prior to student dismissal.
  • No exam assistance (asking questions or clarification about test questions or answers) by the instructor and/or proctor is allowed. Computer and technical assistance are allowed for computerized exams. Students are responsible for ensuring electronic devices (laptops, tablets, etc.) are fully charged and in good working order prior to the exam. Students should complete the mock test to verify that the software is properly installed prior to the class exam. The time allotted to complete the exam will not be adjusted.
  • Scheduled tests and pre-announced quizzes must be taken on the scheduled date, at the scheduled time. Please see the excused absence and make-up procedures below.
  • Public communication about test questions is a violation of the Academic Code of Conduct and the rules governing this violation will be upheld. This includes discussion in public venues or on social media. In the event that a student who has taken the exam discusses the exam with a student who has not taken the exam, both parties will be found to be in violation of the Academic Honesty Policy and the rules governing this violation will be upheld.
  • Grades will be entered and calculated based upon the formatting of the Learning Management System. The nursing program does NOT round grades.
  • Group testing may be utilized. Guidelines for group testing will be provided at the time of test administration.
  • All exams are to be completed at the regularly scheduled time. A student may take any exam or test one time only. It is the responsibility of the student to be prepared for all testing.
  • The student will be required to come to campus for all exams.
  • Most quizzes and exams will require the use of online testing software (e.g. ExamSoft) While using testing software, students are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. Once an exam has been started, it must be finished in the same session.
  • Quizzes and exams will have set time frames for access availability. They will also have a set time for completion once the quiz or exam is accessed. These time frames will be set by the individual instructor of the course.
  • Students are expected to adhere to the academic standards and policies set forth in the Student Handbook.
  • All exams are to be proctored. Absences from Exams and Make-up Procedure (The grading policy for missed exams within a course is specified in the course syllabus.)
  • All exams are to be completed at the regularly scheduled time. A student may take any exam or test one time only. It is the responsibility of the student to be prepared for all testing.
  • In the event of an unexpected situation that is beyond the student’s control (serious illness, accident, death of an immediate family member, etc.), the student must notify faculty using the preferred method of contact as specified on the course syllabus prior to the beginning of the scheduled examination to request an excused absence prior to the exam.
  • If a test is missed and the absence is excused, students must be prepared to take the examination that was missed on or before their first day back in class. Make-up exams are scheduled outside of class time. Students are expected to arrange their work and family schedules accordingly.

Testing Environment expectations for remote proctoring

  • A quiet, secure, fully lighted room. Overhead lighting is preferred.
  • Clean desk or table (not on a bed or sofa). Do not have anything except computer and external cameras (focused on the individual test taker) on the desktop or tabletop. Remove all books, papers, notebooks, or other materials, unless specifically permitted in written guidelines for a particular exam.
  • Students are not allowed to use the following unless specifically approved by the instructor prior to the test date: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, calculator, textbooks, notes, pen and paper, and other websites.
  • There should be no writing visible on the walls, desk, or table. No other people are allowed in the room during testing.
  • No talking out loud or communicating with others by any means during testing, with the exception of a proctor or instructor if necessary.
  • No leaving the room for any reason.
  • Do not play music and/or television.
  • Do not have any other computers or digital devices running in the room where test-taking will take place.

EXAMINATION GRADING
The specific objective to be attained by the student and the method of calculating the final course grade is written in each course syllabus. Students are responsible for reading each course syllabus to apprise themselves of the particular objectives and grading system for each course. While the overall course grade may consist of exam points combined with other course assignment points and/or extra credit points, the average of the designated course exam scores must be at least 75% before other scores are added to determine the final grade for the course. This 75% average will be calculated by averaging the scores for all course exams. Failure to obtain a 75% average for course exams will result in course failure regardless of the number of points earned for other course activities.