Apparently mine are. We are required to turn in the tests and answer sheets after we review the answers and we aren't allowed to take any notes on the material whatsoever. This is extremely annoying to me as I am a visual learner and going over the questions I missed verbally does nothing for me. The tests are cumulative and I am missing some of the same questions over and over because after I get home I can't remember exactly what I missed.
Were your EMT-B class tests Top Secret?
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DV_EMT
Forum Asst. Chief
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My testes were top secret as well... thought there were different test(s) in the same room, the questions were jumbled... I wonder if some are from the NREMT? questions they wont ever use again?
JPINFV
Gadfly
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I don't remember for my EMT class. At my grad school, one of the major fund raisers for the student government was selling test packets of old tests. They weren't all of the tests, but we also got a copy of our tests and our scantron score report (gave us the answers, what we answered if we answered wrong, average score, and a few other things).
On the other hand, at my current school the exams are posted in the Office of Medical Education for review until the challenge period passes. We're only allowed to take the minimal amount of notes needed to forumlate a challenge though.
On the other hand, at my current school the exams are posted in the Office of Medical Education for review until the challenge period passes. We're only allowed to take the minimal amount of notes needed to forumlate a challenge though.
DV_EMT
Forum Asst. Chief
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Ya know... thats a great idea! I may have to market that if I ever teach when I get old.
It is probably because the education department utilizes the same tests. If a test generator was used, there are only so many questions in the bank. If everyone got to see the tests afterward, soon there would be no reason to give the exam. You would all know the questions and answers!
Exams take many hours (each) to write even with the aid of a test generator. It isn't quite as simple as one would think. Each question is weighed and measured for difficulty and must be referenced to both the material being taught and with the DOT objectives. Blue printing takes a long time thus, I might hand out a take home quiz once in a while but, not exams. No one sees those after taking the exam. They take too long to write. As it is, a well written exam is only good for a year or so before it needs to be completely redone.
Shishkabob
Forum Chief
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My EMT test were "top secret".
My medic school test, at a different school, still are "top secret".
My medic school test, at a different school, still are "top secret".
firecoins
IFT Puppet
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I can neither confirm nor deny the existance on an EMT-B Test.
mycrofft
Still crazy but elsewhere
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After leaving High School...
I cannot remember ever getting to keep a test, the answers, or take notes during a test.
Of course those stone tablets would give you a hernia.
I cannot remember ever getting to keep a test, the answers, or take notes during a test.
Of course those stone tablets would give you a hernia.
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You got stone tablets? Lucky!!!!
I don't recall ever being able to keep the test, answers, or take notes... in most of my classes... EVER. Occasionally, an exam, yes... but for MOST classes... Definite NOT.
Ours were available to any student at anytime after each class. The majority of the time it was to see what you had missed and get clarification on a question/answer. We were also able to challenge any question/answer we gave on any exam and if our case was presented well enough the intructor would give us credit for the question.
We were told at the beginning of the course that the final exam would be random questions from all the exams given throughout the course. :sad:Sadly many copied the questions and answers down to get an "edge" on the final. Surprise! none of the questions from any of our exams were on the final, so those who cheated wasted alot of time trying to get "ahead".
We were told at the beginning of the course that the final exam would be random questions from all the exams given throughout the course. :sad:Sadly many copied the questions and answers down to get an "edge" on the final. Surprise! none of the questions from any of our exams were on the final, so those who cheated wasted alot of time trying to get "ahead".
Meursault
Organic Mechanic
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Just be happy they're not taking the AAMC's route and selling the tests at $35 each.
OP, you can't remember what you missed? I've always found that the questions that I have trouble with haunt me until grades come out. Did you ask your instructor why the policy's there? It seems a bit harsh to forbid note-taking during review.
Specific questions aren't as important as content areas. The scope of knowledge for an EMT-B exam is small enough that you can reasonably know everything. Try writing down what kind of questions (e.g. airway, pharmacology, scenario) you're having trouble with and reviewing practice questions in your text or online. Obviously, ask first.
I like punishing the overdedicated as much as the next man, but I'm not sure I approve of lying to one's students about it.
OP, you can't remember what you missed? I've always found that the questions that I have trouble with haunt me until grades come out. Did you ask your instructor why the policy's there? It seems a bit harsh to forbid note-taking during review.
Specific questions aren't as important as content areas. The scope of knowledge for an EMT-B exam is small enough that you can reasonably know everything. Try writing down what kind of questions (e.g. airway, pharmacology, scenario) you're having trouble with and reviewing practice questions in your text or online. Obviously, ask first.
We were told at the beginning of the course that the final exam would be random questions from all the exams given throughout the course. :sad:Sadly many copied the questions and answers down to get an "edge" on the final. Surprise! none of the questions from any of our exams were on the final, so those who cheated wasted alot of time trying to get "ahead".
I like punishing the overdedicated as much as the next man, but I'm not sure I approve of lying to one's students about it.
They said it is because they don't want any future students/other companies to have access to them.
That's what I want to do, but it is not allowed because they think anyone taking any notes whatsoever is writing down their precious questions. Oh and our EMT book is over 1,000 pages.
It seems that this is kind of common practice but it is such a contrast from college. I've never had a professor not allow us to keep our tests. In my view, if I am paying for it and I want to cheat and memorize a bunch of the inclass questions, so what? I'm just shooting myself in the foot because it's not going to help me on the registry exams anyway.
akflightmedic
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How about the rest of us in the PROFESSION who want to increase or maintain high standards??
If by chance you memorize just enough to skate by...why would I want you out in the public representing what I do? Why would I want you certified to be in a position where you could potentially be taking care of me or my family one day??
You are paying to be educated, it sounds as if the professors are attempting that. Now I suggest you learn the material and not try to rely on graded tests for feedback. Interact with your instructor, your classmates, practice scenarios, review book questions, make up your own questions...you will quickly see where you are lacking. Of course all of that takes extra effort...
What about every other PROFESSION that doesn't treat their classes' tests as secret documents?
None of our instructors are professors.
I suggest that you are being unnecessarily rude and have absolutely no knowledge of the effort I am currently putting into my class, as well as a slight deficiency in reading comprehension. Please reread the bolded quote before jumping to any more conclusions.
akflightmedic
Forum Deputy Chief
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So we should lower ourselves and our standards because every other profession does so???
Actually we have already done that and now we are trying to rectify it...the current state of EMS education reflects the hazards of lowering standards.
Sorry, I substituted professor for instructor...another pitfall of our EMS education system is exactly that...schools not requiring the educators to be educated themselves. When I say educated I imply college degree with extra classes in adult instruction or learning/teaching modalities.
However, your instructors are doing you a favor, so kudos to them.
Paying close attention to the now bolded part (I didn't miss it the 1st go round cause I am quite adept at reading comprehension) I will say again and hint that maybe you didn't comprehend what I wrote (maybe you should re read)...if it does not matter, why are you whining?
Second, the comment I made about you "possibly skating through", was in direct response to your bold statement above. People who say it does not matter anyways and then they get a few lucky guesses on the exam are now certified to do something for which they have no real foundation upon which to build all future education...this, is scary.
As for being unnecessarily rude, may I remind you that you posted in a public forum to solicit ALL opinions both good and bad. The first time someone hears the truth or something against their line of thinking, they throw the rude card when in actuality, the post was exactly what you needed. It offers a different perspective (didn't say right, wrong, better or worse...just different) and typically once you calm down and comprehend and open your mind, you will see how a different perspective can sometimes open your eyes to things you were not aware of before, thereby causing you to change or modify your current mode of thinking.
No, I have no knowledge of your personal effort but based on what YOU wrote, we have nothing left to do but form conclusions and respond based on that. When you indicate a whining nature about not being able to see tests "that you paid for", there is nothing to infer except your anger and your desire to have things handed to you.
These conclusions are based on what you wrote, remember that.
You then sum up by saying it is not going to help you anyways, I take it a step further and extrapolate potential outcomes, demonstrating the negative aspect because I have to think worst case scenario or LCD effect.
If after reading this, you still think I am an ***...I suggest you go read some of my previous postings and consider the fact that I have much better things to do with my time than sit online and be a jerk, however I considered your situation important enough to respond to in an intelligent and clearly explained manner.
Actually we have already done that and now we are trying to rectify it...the current state of EMS education reflects the hazards of lowering standards.
Sorry, I substituted professor for instructor...another pitfall of our EMS education system is exactly that...schools not requiring the educators to be educated themselves. When I say educated I imply college degree with extra classes in adult instruction or learning/teaching modalities.
However, your instructors are doing you a favor, so kudos to them.
Paying close attention to the now bolded part (I didn't miss it the 1st go round cause I am quite adept at reading comprehension) I will say again and hint that maybe you didn't comprehend what I wrote (maybe you should re read)...if it does not matter, why are you whining?
Second, the comment I made about you "possibly skating through", was in direct response to your bold statement above. People who say it does not matter anyways and then they get a few lucky guesses on the exam are now certified to do something for which they have no real foundation upon which to build all future education...this, is scary.
As for being unnecessarily rude, may I remind you that you posted in a public forum to solicit ALL opinions both good and bad. The first time someone hears the truth or something against their line of thinking, they throw the rude card when in actuality, the post was exactly what you needed. It offers a different perspective (didn't say right, wrong, better or worse...just different) and typically once you calm down and comprehend and open your mind, you will see how a different perspective can sometimes open your eyes to things you were not aware of before, thereby causing you to change or modify your current mode of thinking.
No, I have no knowledge of your personal effort but based on what YOU wrote, we have nothing left to do but form conclusions and respond based on that. When you indicate a whining nature about not being able to see tests "that you paid for", there is nothing to infer except your anger and your desire to have things handed to you.
These conclusions are based on what you wrote, remember that.
You then sum up by saying it is not going to help you anyways, I take it a step further and extrapolate potential outcomes, demonstrating the negative aspect because I have to think worst case scenario or LCD effect.
If after reading this, you still think I am an ***...I suggest you go read some of my previous postings and consider the fact that I have much better things to do with my time than sit online and be a jerk, however I considered your situation important enough to respond to in an intelligent and clearly explained manner.
Yep, same here. We reviewed each exam as a class, and discussed any question anyone wanted to. Sometimes everyone missed a question just out of study-induced loss of intelligence, but we always turned the missed ones into a learning opportunity. Occasionally the question just sucked (worded very poorly, answers were just wrong, etc) and of course we got those points back since you can't expect anyone to get an impossible question right.
Discussion around the free-text answers was usually good for some entertainment. It was especially neat when someone would create an entire new medical term, and then defend whatever condition it represented at length.
Meursault
Organic Mechanic
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Pick up one of your college textbooks and compare. I'll use Janeway's Immunobiology 7th ed. for effect. It's 883 pages of about 12pt. serif type, images, and big tables. I'm not suggesting that you read the entire book. If it's anything like my EMT text, there are entire chapters you could profitably ignore. Use a bit of judgment.
As a college student, you probably understand how to study without direct reference to the questions. As akflightmedic pointed out, if you know the material, you'll pass the tests. Learn the material.