Assessment Procedures
Exam Software: The PA program requires students to utilize Examplify, exam software provided by ExamSoft Worldwide, Inc for student assessments. Examplify provides a secure testing environment which locks out all other applications and access to the internet. Therefore, all students are required to have Examplify to complete exams on their laptops. Examplify can be used on most modern Microsoft Windows (10 and 11) and Mac OS (Catalina, Big Sur, and Monterrey) computers. In the event a student does not have a working device on the day of the examination the student must notify the course director.
Prior to Assessments with Examplify:
- Download the exam between at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled exam time.
- Charge your device to 100% prior to the exam.
- Close ALL programs and internet browsers before launching Examplify in testing room.
- Recommendation: Turn off antivirus programs before starting the exam
Test day expectations: On the day of an examination, students are expected to be in their seats at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time for the examination and to create a quiet environment for the duration of the exam. All students must sign in with devices turned on and set up ready to start by the designated exam time. As students enter the exam room, they are to launch the exam and navigate to the starting screen and wait for instructions and password from the proctor. After entering the password, the student will wait on the orange screen until instructed to begin the exam. Students may only bring their device, charger, and writing utensil. Bags, cell phones, iPods/music players, all wrist devices, purses, food, coffee, backpacks, notes, paper, or other personal belongings must stay at the front of the room. Cell phones and wrist devices are strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with these standards may result in a zero for the assessment. Proctors will not answer questions during the exam (i.e., provide interpretation) but can be notified about any formatting or technical issues. In the event of a paper exam, students may bring a covered beverage into the room and a pencil or pen. All other personal belongings should be stored outside or in front of the classroom where the examination is occurring. Because the study rooms may be needed for other educational purposes, study materials and personal belongings should be placed in the student locker or other personal space before all examinations.
Students are encouraged to take care of their personal needs prior to the examination. Restrooms breaks, one at a time, will be allowed with permission from the proctor. Students must PAUSE the Examplify session, and all materials must be left at the student’s seat. Students must upload their exam file to have their assessment scored. (Green Screen) If students are unsure if their file uploaded, they may go to their ExamSoft student portal and check exam history for confirmation.
Absence and make-up examinations: Students are expected to take all examinations at the time they are administered to the entire class. Excused absences for exams are granted only in emergency situations. In the event of an urgent, excused absence that has been discussed in advance with the course director or APPC chair, a make-up examination may be possible. The make-up examination would be scheduled as soon as possible after the original examination date.
Unexcused absences from an examination will result in a score of 0 (zero) for the examination. If a student arrives late for an examination, he/she should enter the examination room quietly, from the back of the room and take the nearest open seat. The proctor will bring the examination materials to the student. No allowances for
extra time will be given. The student who is tardy will still be required to end the examination at the same time as the rest of the class.
Examination grades: Immediately following ExamSoft exams, a preliminary score is provided. Within 72 business hours, faculty will review the exam, post final grades to Moodle, and release the scores in ExamSoft. In ExamSoft, students will be provided a score report to note most-missed content or task areas and levels of difficulty. The faculty will provide an email to the class with most-missed concepts and items. The released report will NOT include the score distribution for the exam or “ranking” for student score. For exams given outside of ExamSoft (including written exams or open-ended assessments), the faculty will attempt to have grades completed and released in 72 business hours. Rubrics will be provided for practical and other assessments where appropriate prior to testing so students can best prepare. The faculty will provide an email to the class with most-missed concepts and items. Students with exam scores <80 are showing development of knowledge or skills and need to understand missed concepts to keep from falling behind. Reviewing the report from ExamSoft and making a plan based on that information is recommended for continued growth. Students who score <70 on exams need to make larger strides to master material and must contact their course instructor after reviewing their ExamSoft reports and within a week of the exam to better understand concepts that are unclear and to initiate the remediation process.
Challenges to individual items should be made in writing to the course director with at least two (2) peer-reviewed references to support them. Credit for the test item challenge is at the discretion of the course director.
Grades for written assignments: See the course syllabus for a grading rubric and timetable for disseminations of scores on individual assignments. Every effort will be made to provide timely feedback to students on one assignment prior to an additional assessment of the same skill or topic.
Online assessments such as quizzes or class activities during the didactic phase and quizzes and article evaluations in the clinical phase are assignments that are to be completed by an individual student unless otherwise instructed. They are not to be copied, downloaded, verbally shared, or otherwise distributed. Any infractions will be treated as a violation of the honor code. The decisions of course directors regarding examination and assignment grades are final.