Ethical caution

[Pattie]

Hey kids...

Let's all take a deep breath...Gary is simply pointing out, and rightfully so, that talking about the generalities of an exam is an ethical way to go about helping out our fellow students. After all, we're doing this without the help of professors or classmates. The listing of specific questions, however (while seeming to be manna from heaven for those about to take a given test), degrades the integrity of what we are all trying to accomplish here. Each of us wants to achieve our goal of a given degree and we are trying to do it as expeditiously as possible...but not with any added advantages that would not be given a student working toward the same goal in a more "conventional" environment.

Just remember that if the option of "testing out" becomes one in which it is felt there is a marked advantage because testers are revealing specific questions to future testers, we will all suffer - it is essential to the integrity of our degrees that we ensure that those who choose to take an exam for credit, gain the credit because of individual knowledge - not because someone before us provided us with an advantage.

I have often sought guidance from those who have taken specific exams that were on my program. Because taking these exams is something which feels as if it is taking place in a vacuum, I've asked for direction. Without a classroom, face-to-face, environment you do not have the ability to ask "Professor-Whatsyerface," what TYPES of questions can be expected on the exam. There are also no assignments to refer to in order to guide you in terms of what to consider significant. The lack of a classroom environment does, indeed, provide a certain disadvantage...but it is the route we chose for any one of many reasons. Being able to obtain the general information that would be available in a classroom in these situations is wonderful.

But...frankly...I worked very hard to achieve my degree. I studied morning, noon and night for the CLEPS, DSSTs and TECEPs I took. And, I sat through classes at a B&M school so that I could transfer Math (ugh!) credits and I spent countless hours doing assignments and responding to discussion board topics for guided study and online courses.

When my diploma (BSBA) arrived in last Saturday's mail - I was thrilled beyond my wildest dreams. And...I was proud to be able to say that I achieved the conferrence of this degree because I had learned that which was necessary in order to be entitled to this degree. Nobody fed me specific questions or answers, and I was the only one responsible for this end result.

I know that for the majority of us on this board, this is what we hope to achieve...the knowledge behind which a degree is conferred. But it is all too easy for any of us to hope that someone can provide us with a little extra help because we are working so hard on our own.

Don't get all over Gary because he is concerned with integrity...it really is something that this world could use a little more of!