MGT 371 Exam and Quiz Tips

Overview:

Notes:

• you must bring picture ID to exams (not quizzes), preferably SFA student ID.  Texas drivers license is OK.  See Dr. Fisher ASAP if you have neither of those.
• "Scantron" forms are not required.  All answers must be placed on the exam or quiz.
  
• if homework is due on the day of a quiz, it will normally be part of the quiz, so you should turn it in with the quiz.  Unless otherwise specified, you may refer to your homework sheet(s) during the quiz.
• unless otherwise specified, you may bring ONE note sheet, 8.5" x 11", one sided to each quiz (in addition to the homework sheet(s)), on which you may write/type/print anything that you feel would be helpful (except answers to someone else's quiz!).  You may not share a note sheet with another person, and you may not bring any device to read the sheet other than ordinary eyeglasses (no magnifying glasses, microfiche machines, etc.).  Put your name prominently on your sheet.  If you use a note sheet, you may be required to turn it in with your quiz.
• for exams, you may bring a two-sided note sheet (or two one-sided sheets) as for quizzes.  Sheet(s) may be required to be turned in as for quizzes.  You may not consult homework solutions other than whatever you may choose to write on your note sheet(s).  Caution:  it is usually more helpful to include formulas and/or solution techniques than examples (see Study Tips below).
• note sheet allowances for the final exam may vary from the above and will be announced in class and/or on the web page for the final exam.
• you should bring a calculator to each quiz or exam, since there will normally be at least some quantitative problems. 
  
• you may not use a PDA or cell phone as your calculator.
• in most cases, you must show applicable work in a problem to receive full credit.  Therefore, you should not use a "programmable" calculator to answer questions, since it will not show you the intermediate steps.
  
• you may not use a computer, PDA, or cell phone in any way during a quiz or exam.  Turn such devices off.
• you may not use any method or device to contact anyone else,  receive communications, or access material other than that on the approved note sheet(s) during an exam or quiz.  Ask for permission if you need to get out a pencil, calculator, etc.
• if you are not a native English speaker, you may use a translator device if and only if Dr. Fisher approves the specific device in advance of the quiz or exam.  The device must be strictly for translating and cannot have computer, PDA, or phone capabilities.
• exam/quiz coverage will be specified on the main course page in myCourses.  That page will also include links to testable web pages.
• of necessity, later exams may include concepts from earlier material.
  
• always answer the question!  If a question asks you something specific about a topic and you spew out everything or every formula you know about the topic and do not actually answer the question, you will both waste time and receive few if any points.
• "partial credit" is possible on most problems.  To ensure that you receive partial credit as applicable, show all intermediate calculations clearly.
• probability and other tables will be provided on the exam if needed.
• most exams will include a "bonus" question.  These come from problem types in the text but not reviewed in class, or from problems that are more challenging than the homework.  There is no penalty for attempting a bonus question and getting it wrong.
  
• do your own work!  Exams and quizzes will normally be made in more than one form, so copying answers will usually lower your grade and provide evidence that you cheated.
  

Study tips:

• work all assigned homework yourself.  Generally speaking, it is poor preparation to simply look at solutions in class or from classmates.
• for extra practice, work additional problems in the text that are similar to the assigned problems.  Solutions to even-numbered problems may be found in Appendix V of the text.  See Dr. Fisher if you can't get the answer in the text.
• include applicable formulas on your note sheet.
• avoid placing solved problems on your note sheet.  You need to understand how problems are solved, and simply seeing a solved problem is rarely helpful.  Further, you may attempt to make the quiz/exam problem "look like" your homework, when that is not necessarily the correct approach.
  
• review your notes while going through the text and any applicable handouts.  Use your note sheet for things that were emphasized in class or that are major points in the text and that you think you may have trouble remembering.
• do not copy someone else's note sheet.  Doing so will not provide you with the benefit of studying, and you will not understand the material on the sheet.
  
• get an adequate amount of sleep the night before a quiz and especially before an exam.  Some questions (especially the short answer questions and problems) require thought, and thought is much more difficult if you are tired.
  

Sample questions: