Register

Should take-home & open book tests really be considered tests?

Is This A Good Question? (3)

Add an Answer to "Should take-home & open book tests really be considered tests?"

Send me an email when there are new answers to this question

8 Answers to "Should take-home & open book tests really be considered tests?"

  1. zbignue - 70+ years old - male

    Posted by zbignue Jun 2nd, 2012 at 2:20PM

    Yes ! They teach one how to look up information, which is pretty much what we do in real life because we can't memorize everything, which is what most tests require.

    Like (2)

  2. catchthisdrift - 46-50 years old - male

    Posted by catchthisdrift Mar 27th, 2013 at 10:11AM

    An open-book test is a good idea when the course involves a lot of facts, equations, etc, that the student isn't expected to remember. Being able to use the book for equations, or, similarly, being allowed to take in a sheet of notes, removes the unnecessary stress of pure memorization.

    For example, I don't believe it is beneficial to make people remember the Periodic Table. So, students should be allowed to have a Periodic Table in front of them.

    Like (1)

  3. CORSETBOY12 - 61-65 years old - male

    Posted by CORSETBOY12 Jun 2nd, 2012 at 2:36PM

    I've never taken either, so I can't speak from personal experience. I guess it depends on what the test has been designed to measure, but my instinctive reaction is that a take-home test lends itself to cheating unless it's simply going to be regarded as homework (ie the student can look things up and search for help) - in which case it isn't really a test.

    Like (1)

  4. jeanemae - 26-30 years old

    Posted by jeanemae Jun 2nd, 2012 at 2:33PM

    It's not that test can only be one thing so I don't see why not. If it's an essay test on subject that requires more comprehension than rote memory it makes more sense.

    Like (1)

  5. MathMan789 - 36-40 years old - male

    Posted by MathMan789 Jun 2nd, 2012 at 2:21PM

    Makes the people who suck at tests feel better about themselves for doing a HW assignment. More power to

    Like (1)

  6. ChipmunkErnie - 61-65 years old - male

    Posted by ChipmunkErnie Jun 2nd, 2012 at 2:21PM

    Open book -- if they're created correctly you shouldn't have enough time to look up more than one or two things.

    Take home -- if done right then it's not about what you can look up but how you can put it into your own words and thoughts.

    Like (1)

  7. catchthisdrift - 46-50 years old - male

    Reply by catchthisdrift Mar 27th, 2013 at 10:06AM

    Agreed. A take-home test should be about application, but rewriting facts or ideas on a different sheet of paper.

    Like (1)

  8. dejaentendu90 - 22-25 years old - female

    Posted by dejaentendu90 Jun 2nd, 2012 at 2:20PM

    They're testing your ability to use the information at your disposal. So, yes.

    Like (1)

  9. tonybologna - 51-55 years old - male

    Posted by tonybologna Jun 2nd, 2012 at 2:18PM

    I don't think so.

    Like (1)

Ask A Question

Answers to questions are provided for entertainment purposes only. You should never use answers to questions provided here to replace professional advice, such as from a doctor or lawyer. This page is for providing answers to the question "Should take-home & open book tests really be considered tests?"