Penn Foster proctored final exam—Feedback?

[Ubuntu_user]

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.

OH no! I'm scared now—yikes. I was counting on several hours...

[durandtheman]

Just remember, the proctor can be ANYBODY with an AA degree and a different last name. Get your best buddyto do it, or a coworker. I had my girlfriend be my proctor. She received the packet at her office and brought it home. I filled out the paperwork and she signed, and I just sat back and had most of the afternoon and the next day to work on it.

[LaterBloomer]

Maybe my tests and instructions were different, but the test wasn't returned to me. My proctor sent it in. (Let me tell you. It was a while before it showed up as received by Penn Foster, and I really wanted to nag my friend. Turns out, it was PF's delay and not my friend sending it in late.) If you haven't signed up for the course, check with PF regarding the final for the class. Ask to have a copy of the syllabus sent to you, and the rules about the final.

Just make sure that you do REALLY well on your quizzes. Also, they let you retake tests (maybe quizzes too) if you get less than a passing grade. My understanding, however, is if you retake it, you'll never earn higher than a 70 on the final. (Check on that, okay?)

Good luck.

[Ubuntu_user]

Maybe my tests and instructions were different, but the test wasn't returned to me. My proctor sent it in. (Let me tell you. It was a while before it showed up as received by Penn Foster, and I really wanted to nag my friend. Turns out, it was PF's delay and not my friend sending it in late.) If you haven't signed up for the course, check with PF regarding the final for the class. Ask to have a copy of the syllabus sent to you, and the rules about the final.

Just make sure that you do REALLY well on your quizzes. Also, they let you retake tests (maybe quizzes too) if you get less than a passing grade. My understanding, however, is if you retake it, you'll never earn higher than a 70 on the final. (Check on that, okay?)

Good luck.

Well see, I finished all my quizzes and then found out that I have a proctored final (yeah, they didn't tell me, and they were suppose to have sent me the paperwork several weeks ago, but didn't). I did alright on the quizzes, but nothing extra ordinary—I suppose I need to beef up my knowledge before I take the proctored exam (Yikes, not even quite sure what to study to be ready). The problem is, my course expires the end of this month, and with shipping and their grading as slow as it is, I don't think it's quite possible to have it all done before the 31st. I would have made it just fine if I would have known about this sooner...

[bricabrac]

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)?

Have no idea, but I would guess yes. All the exams have basically the same format 8-10 short answer questions and 3-4 essays.

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

PF is NA credit. Yes if you choose the right proctor you have as much time as you need to finish the thing. Again with it being open book it really is not hard at all. After both parties sign off on the folder you mail back the folder and exam in a prepaid envelope. My exams stated 2hrs on the folder but the proctor form says 5-6hrs. Your proctor fills out the time on the folder before signing. Maybe it's because I'm older and already have a career but it would seem people take this stuff much too seriously. I don't want to offend anyone but PF is not an accredited college.


EDIT to add: Here we go. Let me be more clear, Penn foster is not regionally accredited, meaning courses will not transfer to any 2yr / 4yr college; same as Aleks. Funny thing is they will try to sell you a useless transcript for an additional $10. Separately, I do understand their high school program upon completion does issue an official diploma. Unfortunately in my career a DETC certificate is NOT acceptable.

[JBjunior]

Have no idea, but I would guess yes. All the exams have basically the same format 8-10 short answer questions and 3-4 essays.



PF is NA credit. Yes if you choose the right proctor you have as much time as you need to finish the thing. Again with it being open book it really is not hard at all. After both parties sign off on the folder you mail back the folder and exam in a prepaid envelope. My exams stated 2hrs on the folder but the proctor form says 5-6hrs. Your proctor fills out the time on the folder before signing. Maybe it's because I'm older and already have a career but it would seem people take this stuff much too seriously. I don't want to offend anyone but PF is not an accredited college.

Penn Foster College is an accredited college, they are accredited by DETC. For many careers, that is all that is needed as it is recognized by CHEA.

[LaterBloomer]

Get your knee pads on. Then, beg for an extension. Good luck.

[Ubuntu_user]

Yay, I got an extension until the end of August!

Does anybody know what happens if I don't pass the exam? One hour goes by so fast...

[LaterBloomer]

First off, you do NOT have to pass the exam to pass the course. Also, and I don't know how this will play into your extension, but if you do NOT pass the exam, you can take it again if you want to.

As to folks indicating that you can take your time, and mail it in yourself, etc., etc., etc., what can I say? My residual Catholic guilt kicks in. Even if I might be willing to bend the rules for myself, I'd feel too guilty about asking someone to sign a statement saying s/he had been with me for the one hour that I took the test. That's me. Also, we frequently talk about the validity of our degrees. I'd feel I was letting the home team down if I didn't follow the rules.

[Ubuntu_user]

LaterBloomer, I have to agree—I just don't feel right about trying to "work the system."

Anyway, I don't have to pass the exam? Then why even take it (Oh, I guess it's required), or how does that work?