Testing

I just have to say I disagree with tests. No, I don't have a better idea but I still disagree with tests. A paper I can handle. I can put that on my to-do-list and check it off. I can crank one out in a few hours and get an A. I can print it out and hold it in my hands, see what I've done. I can't do that with a test.

Okay, so a test is tangible. Whatever. I can look at it for the five minutes allotted in class after its been graded... No, I'm talking about preparing for the test, where the grade really comes from. It's difficult to check off 'study French' on my to-do-list. I never feel like I am actually done. It's not effective to cram for a few hours and be done (though I do it...and don't do so great on tests). I can't visibly see how much I've studied and how much it will help me. Somehow I always tend to study the things not on the test and the essay question is the one thing I remember telling myself I just didn't need to know, the thing I was too lazy to look up.

I did write a paper senior year in my English class about how I didn't like tests. They are so particular. It's right or it's wrong. There is no in between on a test. It's 'B' or it's not. The worst are the English tests...'what is the BEST title for this article?' That is an opinion question. I almost liked the math sections of standardized tests better just because there really was ONE answer; they weren't cheating me out of points. My English teacher agreed with me. We didn't have tests in that class... I just had to read every paper I wrote standing in front of the class...

My professors now seem to pride themselves in their tests. They have spent years creating tests they like-which I respect-and feel they are the best way to test us. I have never been very good at tests but these are not my thing. They are all about really making sure you know it-meaning writing paragraphs. On my British Literary History test I had to define 'sublime.' Ya, didn't think I did so great on that question. Yes, they test our real understanding, no, I obviously don't understand.

I have this test coming up next week... 35% of my grade. I'm starting to freak out. It will all be memorization. It is for my Modern American Usage class and deals with all these debates of usage in English. There is a list of all the things we should know and the day of the test we will, as a class, do five of the items pulled out of a bowl. We will have a sheet of paper and, say, 'If/Whether' and we will have to write the debate, traditional rule, history on some, examples, and consensus. As I haven't really started studying, I don't know much more than that besides how no one is excited and lots of people in my class know people who have taken it before...the comments are not comforting :) This class has made me all too aware of how I use language. Though, most of the time I know there is a debate but then I can't remember how I am supposed to say something. It becomes frustrating :)

That about sums that up. I could rant for hours but that wouldn't be a good thing and I should really start studying... though I probably won't. One good thing about having a test every three days...you stress one at a time and move on.