Penn Foster proctored final exam—Feedback?

[Ubuntu_user]

Does anybody know how hard Penn Foster's proctored final exams are? I just finished Intermediate Accounting II and then they told me that I have to take a proctored final exam! :S And I was suppose to receive the paperwork several weeks ago, but I haven't gotten a thing (I suppose that's why I didn't know that I had a proctored exam to take).

Anyway, just wondered if anybody here has insight into how hard the exam is... I'm a little worried since I don't know what to expect. :|

[LaterBloomer]

Let me just say two things:
1. I hope that you did REAL well on your quizes.
2. Study HARD.

Oh, and a third thing, good luck. I won't say how bad I did on my first two finals, but I'm grateful that I did as well as I did on my quizes. For the last three, I studied hard and passed. That's it, passed. As you know, they aren't multiple choice. While mine were open book, you definitely did NOT have time to check your answers, or check for answers.

[bricabrac]

Ubuntu_user

Have you logged in to your account to see if the final exam is available within the course docs? I took Intermediate Accounting I and the exam booklet was online and non-proctored.

If not, did you send in your proctor form? You do realize your proctor can be anyone you know who has at minimum an AA degree. The final is mailed to your designated proctor. Also, the proctored exams are open book and although the exams state two-three hours you actually have up to three weeks to return the exam packet. Which of course takes the pressure off of the test taker. This is probably the main reason these classes are only accepted via ACE.

[LaterBloomer]

It's weird. I think that somewhere on the PF site it says three hours per exam, but I only had one hour for each exam. (Now that I think about it, I think that the three hours is on the form that the proctor fills in to register as a proctor.) I recently took five PF final exams. I had proctors for all of them. Had they all been under the same student ID, I would have had to take ALL five on the same day with only a fifteen minute break between exams. Every exam I took had to be done within one hour. I'm telling you, you have to KNOW your stuff. (I hate open book tests. For me, I feel that I have to check every answer I put down. I've just decided to leave the book closed and at home.) As it was, they allowed me to register for the five tests under two student ID numbers. I took two tests on one day, and three tests on another day. You're given three weeks within which to take the exams, but I think it's so you and your proctor can organize a time convenient (!) for both of you.)

Good luck!

[frankiebleyes]

They are hard. I had straight As on my quizzes when I took my final proctored exam in Terrorism. It was all essay and only 60 minutes. I wrote until my hand cramped (and I have had a stroke) andwrote seven pages in responses. Some of the questions were extremely obscure info from the book. Fortunately, I did pretty well but I know of two others who failed on the same exam.

Study very hard.

[bricabrac]

My experience was much different, I found the exams were not difficult at all. Maybe because I'm comparing it to TESC and even my community college courses. I've taken four penn foster courses, two had proctored exams. The proctored exams are open book (=easy), can be taken with anyone you know (=no pressure). The exam is mailed to the proctor but returned by you. Again, this is why I believe TESC will only accept these courses on an ACE transcript, the same as ALEKS. BTW, I found the ALEKS courses, college algebra and above, much more difficult. The benefit of PF is easy credit and the textbook is included in the cost (with financial mgmt I also received a calculator). Just another opinion; YMMV.

[frankiebleyes]

Not easy when you don't know the proctor and are taking it under the gun at a testing center and not open book.
I was not allowed to have my book and not allowed more than the time allowed (use any proctor you want and open book)? REALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bricabrac]

[SIZE=3][SIZE=3]

[SIZE=2]
http://www.workforcedevelopment.com/form...e_Form.pdf
Note:

[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]

"When the student completes the required coursework, a sealed examination will be sent to you. The exam is a timed, open book exam usually 5-6 hours and must be administered in one sitting within three weeks of receipt. If you change your address, please notify the student so that he/she may contact the Center."

[JBjunior]

Ubuntu_user

Have you logged in to your account to see if the final exam is available within the course docs? I took Intermediate Accounting I and the exam booklet was online and non-proctored.

If not, did you send in your proctor form? You do realize your proctor can be anyone you know who has at minimum an AA degree. The final is mailed to your designated proctor. Also, the proctored exams are open book and although the exams state two-three hours you actually have up to three weeks to return the exam packet. Which of course takes the pressure off of the test taker. This is probably the main reason these classes are only accepted via ACE.

My experience was much different, I found the exams were not difficult at all. Maybe because I'm comparing it to TESC and even my community college courses. I've taken four penn foster courses, two had proctored exams. The proctored exams are open book (=easy), can be taken with anyone you know (=no pressure). The exam is mailed to the proctor but returned by you. Again, this is why I believe TESC will only accept these courses on an ACE transcript, the same as ALEKS. BTW, I found the ALEKS courses, college algebra and above, much more difficult. The benefit of PF is easy credit and the textbook is included in the cost (with financial mgmt I also received a calculator). Just another opinion; YMMV.

[SIZE=3][SIZE=3]

[SIZE=2]
http://www.workforcedevelopment.com/form...e_Form.pdf
Note:

[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]

"When the student completes the required coursework, a sealed examination will be sent to you. The exam is a timed, open book exam usually 5-6 hours and must be administered in one sitting within three weeks of receipt. If you change your address, please notify the student so that he/she may contact the Center."

You say they were easy but it seems that you are stating that you have access to the exam for 03 weeks since you can choose your proctor? I am confused.



With a actual proctor that is following the rules in spirit and as written, the 02 exams I took were open book but hard. They have the material, they read the rules and give you the exam. It does state on the material given to the proctor that we are only to have an hour. I was expecting 02-03 hours but then when I was told 01 hour, there isn't much time to look anything up. It could be a discrepancy in the printed material but who knows. When you are taking the exam it is too late to ask.

[Ubuntu_user]

LaterBloomer: you only had one hour??? PF says you're given 5-6 hours...

bricabrac: yes, Intermediate Accounting I doesn't have a proctored exam—do you think the proctored exam for Intermediate Accounting II will be similar to that (in format and content)?

What good is a proctored exam if the exam is returned by the student? I don't understand PF's reasoning on some fronts...


Boy, I hope it goes well...