Bellin College uses standardized tests provide students and faculty with data to improve performance. Students benefit from standardized testing environments and questions that mirror their licensure exams, compare to national benchmarks, and assess of licensure readiness based on benchmark data. Faculty use aggregate data to analyze strengths as well as areas for improvement within the respective programs.
Standardized exams are integrated throughout the curricula to provide multiple exposures to standardized tests. Each exam provides benchmark data for student scores to indicate level of performance. Following the closure of exams, students receive a report from the testing agency outlining areas of strength as well as opportunities for content review.
PROCEDURE:
- Standardized exams are coordinated through the nursing program office.
- Exam schedules are posted on the timetable. Students requiring accommodations receive an individualized schedule to address their accommodation requirements.
- Students will test using their own personal laptop/tablet devices.
- A limited number of College laptops are available for students who do not have a personal device. Students whose computers do not meet the testing requirements must request a college computer ahead of time.
- Exam scores may be incorporated as part of the assessment measures in individual courses.
- Exams may be graded as a pass / fail component, indicating the student must complete the test as a course requirement, or a weighted percentage may be assigned as a course assignment.
- As a routine, standardized exams will not count as more than 5% of the course grade. Exceptions may be made for specific licensure preparation exams.
- When used as a graded component, the exam score is converted to a percentage to align with the College grading scale. When an exam is included as part of a course assessment, the grading conversion scale is to be included in the course syllabus.
- Unless otherwise noted, all standardized exams must be completed on campus in a proctored testing environment. Exceptions may be made for specific licensure preparation tests. These exceptions will be communicated to students for those individual exams.
- Completion of standardized exams is an expectation of the program. An alternate testing time may be accommodated for emergencies and with prior notice. Students who do not test as scheduled without making alternate arrangements may be subject to disciplinary processes.
- Aggregate data from standardized tests will be reviewed by program faculty and the BSN Committee as appropriate.