101 Test and Final Exam Policies

                SCHEDULING AND COMPOSITION

The three tests will cover material indicated in the schedule 
by lecture numbers. 

  Our three tests will each be at WebAssign.  Each test
will consist of about 4 MC questions worth about 5 points
each, a group of numerical questions with about 6 answer
boxes (worth about 6 points each) distributed among about
4 questions, and 2 free-response questions which will
each require a PDF submission (worth about 22 points each).

  For some of the MC questions, you may be asked to very
BRIEFLY explain your reasoning for your answer.  For this
MC reasoning, we will not be grading the "quality of your
explanation"; instead, we just want the BRIEFEST possible
set of words to show that you have a reasonable Newtonian
reason for your MC selection. If you were to leave this
space blank, or if you were to write "I just guessed at
this one", then your MC credit for that question might
possibly be voided.  The multiple choice questions will
cover conceptual questions or the simplest kind of
calculation.  

  For the numerical questions, you will get three tries,
but you will lose 2 points for each incorrect try.  The
numerical and free-response questions may be similar to
homework, but they may also represent applications of
principles in different circumstances.

  The final examination will consist of 30 numerical
questions (actually 30 answer blanks distributed among
something less than 30 questions).  The final will be 
comprehensive, with roughly one-third of the questions
coming from the material from each third of the course.

  For the test and final exam dates, please see the 
lecture schedule which accompanies this syllabus. 

                       PROCEDURES

  The tests will open at WebAssign at the beginning of the
lecture session during which the test is scheduled; there
will be a 75-minute time limit.  At the end, there will be
a 10-minute period which you may use to perfect your pdf
submissions for the test.

  To get credit for the test, you MUST join the Zoom 
meeting (in Dr. Adams' meeting room) for the lecture
session during which the test is scheduled.  If we
decide to set a password for the test, then you will
only find the password by joining the Zoom meeting.
Also you MUST turn on your camera while you are working
on the test.  Please direct your camera so that we can
see more than just your head when you are working.
Anyone completing the test without joining the Zoom
meeting will receive a ZERO for the test.

  If your computer does not have a webcam, then please
join the Zoom meeting using your phone. You will still be
allowed to pick up your phone and use it to photograph
your free response answers for conversion to pdf and
submission at WebAssign.

  You are permitted to use your hand calculator, and to
have blank scratch paper for the tests.  You may not use
help from another person, from the internet, or from any
notes or book.  You should take the test exactly as if
you were taking it ethically in an in-person class in
our classroom PSF101.  Please respect your fellow students.

  Our equation sheet and any other needed information
(such as a periodic table) will be provided at WebAssign. 

                     MISSING A TEST

  You must take two of the three tests.  If you take all
three tests, then the lowest score of the three test scores
will be deleted in the calculation of your test average.  If
you miss one test for a unexcused reason, that test will be
your dropped score.  If you miss two tests, please see Dr.
Adams about requesting an incomplete; you must be passing at
the time that you request an incomplete, or your request
cannot be considered.  Deadline for class withdrawal this
semester is Mar 28.  The final exam cannot be dropped.

                        CHEATING

  Academic dishonesty on an examination will result 
AUTOMATICALLY in a failing grade for the course and referral 
to the Dean for further sanctions.  Cheating in any form 
will not be tolerated!

                  GRADING AND WEIGHTING

  Partial credit is given on the free-response questions,
assuming you follow the proper format for answering
free-response questions as given during lecture.  Multiple
choice questions are either right or wrong.  Numerical
questions lose one-third credit for each incorrect try.

  The average of your two best test scores will account for 
20% of your overall course grade.  The final exam will count 
for 20% of your overall course grade.  The final exam cannot
be dropped.

                   TEST GRADING APPEALS 

  Tests will be graded by graders and TA's.  About two
weeks after test submission, your graded work for the test
will appear at WebAssign.  If you wish to appeal the
grading of one of your tests, you must follow these
procedures:

(1) If you think you deserve more points on a graded problem,
    you must submit an appeal IN WRITING, in pdf form,
    following the instructions in Section (2) below.  Explain
    carefully exactly why you deserve more points, and ask for
    as many points as you think your answer deserves.  Please
    DO NOT ASK your recitation TA to consider your appeal or
    to give advice on your appeal; they are not permitted to
    do so.  It is unlikely that your TA graded the problem in
    question.

(2) Send your WRITTEN appeal, in pdf form, along with the
    relevant pdf page of your original test, to Dr. Adams
    within two school days of receiving your graded test.

(3) I will return your test to the person who graded it; that
    person must give you a written reply, in pdf form. If you 
    are not satisfied with the grader's response to your 
    appeal, then you may ask Dr. Adams to consider your 
    appeal; in such cases I reserve the right to regrade your 
    entire test.