Suggestion 201. Give two or more midterms and have the first one early

IF YOU WANT TO:

• Give exams permitting students to show understanding

• Identify students having difficulties in the course

• Give students with problems an opportunity to seek help or drop the class

Giving two or more midterms and schedule the first one at the end of the first two or three weeks of class.

A professor of physics makes a point of giving a midterm early enough in the course so that students who are having difficulty can drop the class without penalty.

"I consciously make the first midterm rather difficult," he says, "so that students get a realistic picture of the course and their performance." Students who score low are encouraged to see the professor and either seek tutorial help or drop the class. "If they are really having difficulty at the beginning of the course, I counsel them to drop it and to take it at a later date when they are better prepared," he explains.

Limitations on Use of Suggestion

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Copyright 1983 by the Regents of the University of California

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