Tips for Triumph in the Testing Center

To promote a successful testing experience, the ELI Success Coaches encourage you to follow the tips outlined below:

Be Prepared – Begin reviewing/studying well in advance. If you need assistance locating helpful study resources, contact your Success Coach at elisuccess@nvcc.edu or call 703.764.5076. For a sampling of helpful study resources offered through ELI, please click here. Additional resources to promote your testing success can be found here.

  Campus Testing Center Guidelines

• Do not wait until the last minute to take your exam(s). If you are able, we advise that you take your exam early. Not only will you avoid long lines, you many also avoid a last minute unforeseen emergency that could prohibit you from getting to a testing center. An exam must begin no later than 90 minutes before the posted testing center closing time so be sure to provide plenty of time.
• Do not forget to bring your completed Exam Pass for each exam and a photo ID. You may print your exam pass from the “Taking Exams and Using Exam Passes” portion of the Syllabus button in your Blackboard course site.
• Be prepared to stow your personal items, not permitted during your exam, including your cell phone (that must be turned off), in the manner required by the testing center (generally in a locker). Simply placing your phone on “silent” is not enough. You are not permitted access to anything other than your exam while testing, unless expressly stated in the exam instructions.
• If your exam is not working properly in Bb (ex. unable to type in a textbox, audio files not working, images missing) or if you feel your exam did not submit properly, please notify testing center staff immediately so they may help you troubleshoot the problem.
• If you are taking multiple exams, you will be required to go through the line for each exam that you are taking.

ProctorU Guidelines

Some courses offer online testing through ProctorU. Courses offering this option will be listed in Blackboard under the links, “Taking Exams and Using Exam Passes”, “Syllabus” or “Announcements”.

• If you choose to use this online proctoring service, schedule to take your exam(s) through ProctorU at least 72 hours prior to testing to avoid a late fee.
• If it is your first time using ProctorU, sign in 15 minutes early to set up your computer.
• Be sure to have your photo ID ready.

In addition to being rested and well-prepared, be sure to have a healthy meal or snack before taking your exam(s). The better prepared you are, the more relaxed you will be and the better your testing outcome.

As an ELI (NOVA) student, you are expected to follow the code of conduct for all NOVA students as outlined in the NOVA Student Handbook

Good luck on your exams!

 

Promoting Your Success: ELI Testing Tips

To promote a successful testing experience, the ELI Success Coaches encourage you to follow the tips outlined below:

Be Prepared – Begin reviewing/studying well in advance. If you need assistance locating helpful study resources, contact your Success Coach at elisuccess@nvcc.edu or call 703.764.5076. For a sampling of helpful study resources, please click here.

  Campus Testing Centers

§ Do not wait until the last minute to take your exam(s). If you are able, we advise that you take your exam early. Not only will you avoid long lines, you many also avoid a last minute unforeseen emergency that could prohibit you from getting to a testing center. An exam must begin no later than 90 minutes before the posted testing center closing time. Regardless of the day, be sure to allow plenty of time.

§ Do not forget to bring your completed Exam Pass for each exam and a photo ID. You may print your exam pass from the “Taking Exams and Using Exam Passes” portion of the Syllabus button in your Blackboard course site.

§ Be prepared to stow your personal items, not permitted during your exam, including your cell phone (that must be turned off), in the manner required by the testing center (generally in a locker). Simply placing your phone on “silent” is not enough. You are not permitted access to anything other than your exam while testing, unless expressly stated in the exam instructions.

§ If your exam is not working properly in Bb (ex. unable to type in a textbox, audio files not working, images missing) or if you feel your exam did not submit properly, please notify testing center staff immediately so they may help you troubleshoot the problem. The testing center staff is well versed in the “tricks” of Blackboard.

§ If you are taking multiple exams, you will be required to go through the line for each exam that you are taking.

ProctorU

Some courses offer online testing through ProctorU. Courses offering this option will be listed in Blackboard under the links, “Taking Exams and Using Exam Passes”, “Syllabus” or“Announcements”.

§ If you choose to use this online proctoring service, schedule to take your exam(s) through ProctorU at least 72 hours prior to testing to avoid a late fee.

§ If it is your first time using ProctorU, sign in 15 minutes early to set up your computer.

§ Be sure to have your photo ID ready.

In addition to being rested and well-prepared, be sure to have a healthy meal or snack before taking your exam(s). The better prepared you are, the more relaxed you will be and the better your testing outcome.

As an ELI (NOVA) student, you are expected to follow the code of conduct for all NOVA students outlined in the NOVA Student Handbook

Good luck on your exams!

ELI-Important Dates, Events and Information: December 9-December 20, 2013

IMPORTANT COURSE DATES

Ø  December 10 – ELI 3rd 12-week session ends.

Ø  November 29 – ELI 4^th 4-week session (MTT only) ends.

Ø  December 16 - Mark Your Calendar – If you have registered for Spring 2014 classes, tuition is due on or before December 16.

Ø  December 17 – ELI 1^st 16-week session ends.

Ø  December 17 – ELI 4^th 8-week session ends.

Ø  December 20 – College offices close for the winter break and will re-open on Thursday, January 2.

 

EVENTS 

 

Ø  For a listing of ELI events, to include Native American Heritage month and our pedometer challenge, please click here.

Ø  For a listing of NOVA events to include college visits, symposiums and more, click here.

CAMPUS TESTING CENTER INFORMATION

If you will be using a campus testing center for your finals, we suggest that you do not put your test off until the last minute.  Lines can be long!  When using a Campus Testing Center, please remember:

·       An exam must begin no later than 90 minutes before the posted testing center closing time.

·       If you if you are taking your exam on or near an exam due or end date, please allow additional time to wait in line.  (If possible, we recommend that you take your exam before these due or end dates.) 

·       You will need to provide a completed Exam Pass for each exam and a photo ID.  You may print your exam pass from the “Taking Exams and Using Exam Passes” portion of the Syllabus button in your Blackboard course site. 

·       Students taking multiple exams will be required to go through the line for each exam.

UPCOMING ELI WEBNIARS

Attending an ELI webinar is a valuable way to invest your time to develop your academic skills as well as promote your academic success.  

Wednesday, December 18 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm: Getting Ready for Your Next Semester - This 45 minute webinar for NOVA students will focus on answering key questions students have about preparing for their next semester.  Topics covered will include program identification, course selection, college resources, schedule planning, and registration/payment tips.  To register, please click on the date:  Wednesday, December 18 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm. 

Thursday, December 12, 9:30-10:30am: MEC Exchange Workshop - Interested in enrolling in one of MEC’s Allied Health and Nursing Programs?  Attend a MEC exchange workshop!  This workshop is intended to increase your knowledge of the admission process and to help you to prepare for admission into NOVA’s exceptional Allied Health and Nursing Programs.  For more details, contact MEC Advisor Bridget Page at bpage@nvcc.edu. 

Please be sure to visit our Webinar Schedule.  We will be offering many excellent webinars in January and February.

The Webinars referenced below will not be streamed live; however, please feel free to request recordings:

Conducting a Job Search - This 45 minute webinar will focus on basic strategies for conducting a job search. Topics covered will include creating a plan, identifying sources of job leads, and resume, cover letter, and interview basics. To register, please click on the date: This 45 minute webinar will focus on basic strategies for conducting a job search. Topics covered will include creating a plan, identifying sources of job leads, and resume, cover letter, and interview basics.  For a recording, please email, chjensen@nvcc.edu.

Tackling Math Anxiety:  Click here to view the webinar recording:  Math can be a difficult subject no matter how smart you are.  Many students view math as overwhelming and scary—but it doesn’t have to be.  Learn how to study more efficiently for mathematics and apply relaxing techniques to reduce your anxieties.   

Beyond Google – Basic Library Skills for Online Learners- Have you ever been assigned a paper or project and don’t know where to start? Do you feel like you need extra practice for your assignments? Are you curious what library resources are available to you without going to a campus library? This 5 minute video will give you a brief introduction to what library resources are available to you as an online learner. There might be more than you expect!  Watch the video!  

Creating a Personal Mission Statement: Click here to view the webinar recording: Learn how to channel your goals into actions!  From visualization to motivation, this pre-recorded webinar will help you to create and fine-tune your personal mission statement.  

Creating Win-Win Relationships: Click here to view the webinar recording: Win-Win will teach you how to cooperate in relationships rather than compete.  This webinar will teach you how to share success with others by being respectful and assertive without being manipulated. 

Synergy: Click here to view the webinar recording: Learn how to integrate your knowledge, skills, and expertise with others to collaborate effectively.  This webinar is excellent for working in small groups and communicating with your instructor or teammates.

ELI Orientation: Click here to request a recording of an earlier session. This one hour webinar for students enrolled in courses offered through the Extended Learning Institute (ELI) will focus on getting started in your courses, navigating in your Blackboard course site, identifying tips for success, and student support services.

ONGOING @ ELI

Spring 2014 Registration: Spring 2014 registration is currently underway.   Please click here  for registration information.  For a complete listing Spring 2014 ELI classes, please click here.   If you need assistance with ELI course selection, please email our counselors, elicounselors@nvcc.edu.  

Proctor Requests:  If you are out of the area, be sure to submit your Proctor Request.  Proctor Requests are processed in the order they are received.  It takes 3-5 business days for the form to be processed so please do not wait until the day before your test!

 RESOURCES TO PROMOTE YOUR ACADEMIC SUCCESS 

Smarthinking Free 24/7 Tutoring:  Click here to access Smarthinking free tutoring.  Course Success is just a click away!

Student Lingo: Student Lingo is a series of interactive on-demand workshops, action plans, and valuable resources focused on helping students achieve their academic, personal, and career goals. Workshops include test taking strategies, time management, study skills, resume writing and more. Click here to learn more.

It is hard to believe that the fall semester is nearly over!  If you are looking for a valuable study plan, we recommend you consider the Four Day Study Plan from About.com.  The plan, which we have slightly tweaked from the original article, follows: 

Studying for an Exam Day 1: 
Communicate with Your Instructor, Find a Study Partner and Organize

1.     Type of Exam - Ask your instructor what type of exam s/he will be giving. Multiple choice? Essay? That will make a difference in how you study.

2.     Request a Study Guide-If there is not one in your Bb site, ask your instructor for a review sheet/study guide. Your textbook website may also have practice tests. 

3.     Find a Study Partner -- set up dates to meet to include the night before the test if possible – even via phone/Facebook/Skype.

4.     Organize - Print and organize your notes, old quizzes, textbook, assignments and handouts from the units being tested.  

As You Study: 

·       Organize handouts, past tests, and other information according to dates. Make note of anything you are missing. (Where's the vocab quiz from chapter 2?) Pay special attention to the questions that you missed and spend extra time studying those questions. 

·       Rewrite or type your notes.  Creating an outline of the information you need to know will help you understand how the material covered in the class is related.  

·       Review the material you have. Go through the review sheet to determine what material will be covered. Read through your quizzes/handouts/notes and study questions from your book's chapters.  Also, refer to the end of each chapter in your text – many have excellent summaries/reviews.  

Studying for Your Exam - Day 2:
Course Review, Review and Apply the Material to Better Comprehend

1.     Communicate with your instructor: If necessary, clarify areas you didn't understand and request any missing items (for example: vocab quiz from chapter 2).

2.     Couse Review – Continue to review notes and materials. Ask your instructor if there will be a review before the test and continue to review on your own and review with your Study Partner (if time permits). If there will not be a course review, consider organizing one - you can reserve a study room and meet in a campus library or local library. 

As You Study:

·       Create flashcards with a question/term/vocab word on the front of the card, and the answer on the back. Quizlet is a free website/app that will help you design flashcards, practice tests and quizzes. The website/app also has pre-made flash cards (a favorite app by many students).

·       Set a timer for 45 minutes, and review everything on the review sheet that you don't already know using mnemonic devices like acronyms or singing a song. Also, apply the material to your life in ways that you can remember and understand.  When the timer goes off, take a 15 min. break and revisit your review sheet.  Study again for a specified time, setting the timer if it works well for you.

·       If you are not using the Quizlet App, put your flashcards in your purse, backpack, or car so that you can review them when you are not busy.   

Studying for Your Exam Day 3:
Review and Apply the Material, Create Practice Tests

1.     When you have any free time, review your flashcards and ask yourself questions (when you're waiting for class to start, at lunch, when waiting for an appointment, etc.) As you review, think of ways to apply the material to help you recall.

2.     Create Practice Tests to study (see below).

3.     Confirm a study date, with your study partner, for tomorrow night.

As You Study:

·       Set a timer for 45 minutes again. Go back through your flashcards and review sheet, learning/applying material (especially reviewing areas that are causing you some struggles). Take a 5-minute break. If necessary, set a timer for 45 minutes again and continue if you're still unsure of any material!

·       Create a few “practice tests” for yourself and your study partner (you can create your own, use study guides or visit your textbook website for practice tests, and you can also use Quizlet.com which was referenced earlier).  A practice test should include questions about key terminology, facts, and concepts that are likely to be on the test.

·       Be sure to have your flashcards  or Quizlet App/website ready for review again tomorrow.  

Studying for Your Exam Day 4:

Review, Study/Self, Confirm Meeting Time with Study Partner

1.     Throughout the day, pull your flashcards out and review.

2.     Confirm your study date with a friend or classmate.   

 As You Study:

·       Again, review your flashcards paying special attention to the remaining material that was giving you some struggles.

·       Quiz. With your study partner, take turns asking possible exam questions to each other. You will learn the material better by alternating asking the questions. Stop once you've been through the questions a few times and get a good night's sleep.  

For additional study resources, consider visiting About.com and How To Study.org.  For free online tutoring available to ELI students, visit Smarthinking.   

If you are using a campus testing center, if possible, do not wait until the last day to take your test – emergencies can come up and in many classes, you will not be able to take the test late. 

If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to contact the ELI Success Coaches at elisuccess@nvcc.edu or call 703.764.5076. 

Promoting Your Success: End of Semester Testing

To promote a successful testing experience, the ELI Success Coaches encourage you to follow the tips outlined below:

Be Prepared – Begin reviewing/studying well in advance. If you need assistance locating helpful study resources, contact your Success Coach at elisuccess@nvcc.edu or call 703.764.5076. For a sampling of helpful study resources, please click here.

  Campus Testing Centers

• Do not wait until the last minute to take your exam(s). If you are able, we advise that you take your exam early. Not only will you avoid long lines, you many also avoid a last minute unforeseen emergency that could prohibit you from getting to a testing center. An exam must begin no later than 90 minutes before the posted testing center closing time. Regardless of the day, be sure to allow plenty of time.
• Do not forget to bring your completed Exam Pass for each exam and a photo ID. You may print your exam pass from the “Taking Exams and Using Exam Passes” portion of the Syllabus button in your Blackboard course site.
• Be prepared to stow your personal items, not permitted during your exam, including your cell phone (that must be turned off), in the manner required by the testing center (generally in a locker). Simply placing your phone on “silent” is not enough. You are not permitted access to anything other than your exam while testing, unless expressly stated in the exam instructions.
• If your exam is not working properly in Bb (ex. unable to type in a textbox, audio files not working, images missing) or if you feel your exam did not submit properly, please notify testing center staff immediately so they may help you troubleshoot the problem. The testing center staff is well versed in the “tricks” of Blackboard
• If you are taking multiple exams, you will be required to go through the line for each exam that you are taking.

ProctorU

Some courses offer online testing through ProctorU. Courses offering this option will be listed in Blackboard under the links, “Taking Exams and Using Exam Passes”, “Syllabus” or“Announcements”.

• If you choose to use this online proctoring service, schedule to take your exam(s) through ProctorU at least 72 hours prior to testing to avoid a late fee.
• If it is your first time using ProctorU, sign in 15 minutes early to set up your computer.
• Be sure to have your photo ID ready.

In addition to being rested and well-prepared, be sure to have a healthy meal or snack before taking your exam(s). The better prepared you are, the more relaxed you will be and the better your testing outcome.

As an ELI (NOVA) student, you are expected to follow the code of conduct for all NOVA students outlined in the NOVA Student Handbook

Good luck on your exams!

Promoting Your Success: ELI Testing Tips

To promote a successful testing experience, the ELI Success Coaches encourage you to follow the tips outlined below:

Be Prepared – Begin reviewing/studying well in advance. If you need assistance locating helpful study resources, contact your Success Coach at elisuccess@nvcc.edu or call 703.764.5076. For a sampling of helpful study resources, please click here.

  Campus Testing Centers

• Do not wait until the last minute to take your exam(s). If you are able, we advise that you take your exam early. Not only will you avoid long lines, you many also avoid a last minute unforeseen emergency that could prohibit you from getting to a testing center. An exam must begin no later than 90 minutes before the posted testing center closing time. Regardless of the day, be sure to allow plenty of time.
• Do not forget to bring your completed Exam Pass for each exam and a photo ID. You may print your exam pass from the “Taking Exams and Using Exam Passes” portion of the Syllabus button in your Blackboard course site.
• Be prepared to stow your personal items, not permitted during your exam, including your cell phone (that must be turned off), in the manner required by the testing center (generally in a locker). Simply placing your phone on “silent” is not enough. You are not permitted access to anything other than your exam while testing, unless expressly stated in the exam instructions.
• If your exam is not working properly in Bb (ex. unable to type in a textbox, audio files not working, images missing) or if you feel your exam did not submit properly, please notify testing center staff immediately so they may help you troubleshoot the problem. The testing center staff is well versed in the “tricks” of Blackboard
• If you are taking multiple exams, you will be required to go through the line for each exam that you are taking.

ProctorU

Some courses offer online testing through ProctorU. Courses offering this option will be listed in Blackboard under the links, “Taking Exams and Using Exam Passes”, “Syllabus” or“Announcements”.

• If you choose to use this online proctoring service, schedule to take your exam(s) through ProctorU at least 72 hours prior to testing to avoid a late fee.
• If it is your first time using ProctorU, sign in 15 minutes early to set up your computer.
• Be sure to have your photo ID ready.

In addition to being rested and well-prepared, be sure to have a healthy meal or snack before taking your exam(s). The better prepared you are, the more relaxed you will be and the better your testing outcome.

As an ELI (NOVA) student, you are expected to follow the code of conduct for all NOVA students outlined in the NOVA Student Handbook

Good luck on your exams!