Professor Tom Eiland's Online English Materials: ENGL Test Instructions

EILAND'S ENGLISH TIMED TEST ESSAY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Weeks during which tests must be taken will be posted. The student has the entire week to take the test. Student may want to call the Testing Center in IS 107, the one story building between the children's center, the LB building and the tunnel that leads to the Student Union, [(626) 857-4035], as Testing Center hours may have changed. The student is responsible for knowing all the information below, as well as the subject material, as there is no aid from staff allowed. Testing Center Staff will pre-scan the student's blue book(s) to make sure there is no pre-written material. The student should be aware of the general information required on the test, discussed under Test Question.
For those students for whom distance from Citrus College is a factor, see Proctoring Page for off-campus testing arrangements.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Student is required to bring a pen, a blue book (available for a less than a dollar at the bookstore), the textbook for the class, [or the Final Exit Exam prompt for ENGL 101 (distributed a week in advance)], and a secondary source (ENGL 102 and higher ONLY).
TIMING INSTRUCTIONS: Student will have 80 minutes to complete the test, unless otherwise noted. This time requirement is to be kept strictly, for it creates parity amongst all English students. If student is not finished, test must be turned in, finished or not... no retakes are allowed unless extraordinary circumstances are shown and instructor has granted permission to do so.
WHAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT BRING IN TERMS OF NOTES: Student may mark up text with underlined and highlighted important passages with one- or two-word phrase marginal notes, but no pre-written paragraphs or long passages, unless they are direct quote, will be allowed. Pre-written outlines are also not permitted, although the student may create one as part of 80 minute test time. Copies of secondary sources are allowed for courses above ENGL 101, but notation rules apply.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE TEST: Be prepared. Pre-read the test literature (poem or story). Decide what you may want to say - without pre-writing the essay. Know what quotes are likely to be helpful. Be aware of the thematic element discussed that week (symbolism, irony, theme, etc.), the critical approach if applicable (feminist, formalist, reader-response) and place it within context of story under discussion. Have all needed materials - don't forget the text book or a blue book - the Testing Center does not have one.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE DONE: If Staff calls time, surrender the blue book to them. Be sure name and instructor's name are on blue book. Staff will place test in the provided folder to be picked up by instructor at end of week. Contact me if you have any questions. For examples of tests for 103 and 101, please see Eiland's Test Sample page.