The Final Exam

Look in the Blackboard daily schedule (top item in the announcement page) to make sure you know when the exam is available.   This exam will consist of 50 questions @ 6 pts. each and is worth 300 points total.  The exam covers all 5 units in this class.  The exam itself can be found in the same folder you found the unit tests (administered online through blackboard using the Respondus LockDown Browser).  There will be a 1½ hour time limit.   As an aid you may use five (8½" x 11") sheets of hand written notes (both sides).  Concentrate on the central ideas.

I suggest you look over all your unit tests as a great way to review for the exam.   To review your tests on blackboard, you need to use the LockDown browser.  Go to My Grades, then click on the test number (ex, Test 3 - Requires LockDown Browser) ... and then click on the score that appears on the right.

The final exam requires an ID check!

This means prior to taking the exam, I will check your identity.  No one will be breathing down your neck ... only performing an ID check as well as making sure you are taking the exam alone with your notes.  You will take the exam the following way:

How to take the exam:

You will take the exam ONLINE just like you took all the unit tests.  The only difference is I will checking your ID and notes prior to taking the exam plus you will be taking the exam in a "virtual classroom" with up to 4 or 5 additional students.

You will need:

• A computer with the lockdown browser installed
• A smart phone with Google Hangouts installed (on charger or full battery)
• The ability to access your student email account on your phone
• A picture ID
• Your 5 pages of notes you used on the individual unit tests (both sides)

Basically you place your fully charged (or plugged in) phone off to the side with you and your computer in view as you take the exam.  This has worked very well with students in the past but technical issues can happen, so please be patient.  I suggest you arrange a quick "mock" video conference with your instructor or friend (in advance) just to make sure you are comfortable with the technology.  It is actually very simple.  Many have already done this when I evaluated your Stellarium assignment.

Times to take the exam:

Option 1:  Early    I'm most flexible with early birds.  If you wish to take the exam early, simply contact your instructor and schedule a time that works best for both parties.  The exam will be taken individually via the online procedure.  Your smart phone must have Google Hangouts installed. 

Option 2: During the open exam period

Please pick the time/option that works best for you and notify your instructor at least 24 hours in advance so he can make the necessary arrangements.

July 24th @10 am

July 25th @10 am

July 25th @8 pm

July 26 @ 1 pm

July 26 @8 pm

Here is how this works.  Once I know which session you are in, I can invite you to a group hangout about 20 minutes prior to the exam.  Hangouts were once automatically loaded on Android smart phones but you may have to install it (from the Play Store) on newer phones.   Hangouts definitely needs to be downloaded on Apple products.  Open your student email (on your phone) and wait until you see the invite come in.  Click the link in the email and the phone will do the rest.  After I check you in, you move the (fully charged) phone off to the side and you can start the exam.