Academic Affairs

Tips for Avoiding Test Sheet Grading Problems

Even though you’ve been taking multiple choice exams for what may seem like an eternity, the following are sixproven techniques to make sure your multiple choice exams at the School of Pharmacy are scored accurately.

1. Bring your ID

Students are now asked to entire their UMB One Card ID number on multiple choice exams. This is a PIN replacement for PharmD students. The easiest way to remember your UMB One Card ID number? Carry your ID at ALL times and look on the back to locate your ID number.

MyUMB ID number

2. Don’t Make Up ID Numbers

The UMB One Card ID number is NOT the same as your SURFS Student ID number. Students entering this number or another random number WILL experience difficulty when quizzes/exams are scored. It can take a significant amount of time to match up a student and a number that is not the UMB One Card ID number. Help avoid confusion by carrying your ID.

3. Fill in ID Number Bubbles

Filling in your UMB One Card ID number is important. Don’t forget to fill in the “bubbles” associated with your ID number. If you don’t fill in this information completely, your quiz or test will take longer to be scored. It is important to remember that your multiple choice quizzes and exams are grades by a computer that cannot read written text. If an ID number cannot be read, it will take longer for test sheets to be scored.

ID bubbles unfilled

4. Bring a Pencil (with an eraser)

While blue and black ink are acceptable choices of writing implements for multiple choice exams, they don’t provide you an opportunity to make corrections. Multiple choice exams are scored by a computer. If you darken a bubble on the test sheet it will be read as an answer, even if you "crossed it off." Again, the computer that scores your exams can’t read written text, so make sure you can change your answers by bringing a pencil.

A reason to use a pencil

5. Erase Marks Completely

Make sure any changes you make to your test sheet are erased completely. Just like "crossed off" answers, incomplete erasures will also read as an answer.

6. Read the Instructions

Each faculty member may have a different set of instructions concerning their exams. Some may require you to write your name on your test sheet while others may not. It is always important to read test instructions before taking your exam to make sure you have filled out your test sheet properly.