First of all, exams are done off campus (well almost all, I know someone who had an in-class exam, which is what I'm used to). Anyways, the exams take place at RDS which is this big showground area. Ever been to the LA fair? Think of taking a final in one of the exhibition buildings. About 3000 students take their exams at the same time in the same room.
My exam was at 9 am so I woke up at 7:15 in order to make breakfast (oatmeal) and have plenty of time to get to the exam location. I hoped onto a bus, went 3 stops down (less than 5 minute bus ride) then walked for another 5 to the exam hall. (Side note: Yesterday my Irish flatmate told me that it would be easy to find the place and to "just follow the crowd of people." He wasn't wrong.) There were so many students walking to RDS. A man on a bike heading out the city even asked if it was the first day of exams (I guess they're used to it).
Anyways, when I got to the exam hall, there were so many students there. Many were cramming in last minute studying. I used to do that but I've since stopped. It only makes me nervous. I've adopted the ideal that if I know it then I know it, if I don't I won't learn it in the next 30 minutes or so. So in order to ignore the other students and get into my zone, I tried to think happy thoughts. Of course my happy thoughts only reminded me of the final I was about to take, Geography of Latin America. I started to hum "Cool" from West Side Story but then it made me think of Puerto Ricans and from Puerto Ricans I thought of the development of Salsa and cultural geography. With that thought in my head I figured I was ready as ever.
After I arrived, I checked the board for my name and seat number. I was 1879. >.< Next they announced that the exam room was open. As I entered the room I couldn't get over the fact at how the room was set up. Individual desks lined up in neat rows and columns. I think each row had about 100 seats in it. It was a bit ridiculous and quite petrifying.
I've never felt comfortable in big exams rooms. I was even more scared when I entered the room and saw how many chairs and tables were in there. After finding my seat, I tried to relax and calm my nerves. The exam is supposed to start quickly at 9 am but most students didn't even get into the room until 8:55. It was distracting to see students gathering in groups trying to quick study and quick fire terms and what not. I closed my eyes and tried to ignore my surroundings.
Although I was nervous about having so many people around, once I got my test, I zoned in on it and was completely able to ignore the people around me. I stayed the entire exam period and afterwards decided to walk back to campus in order to relax some more. I'm not sure how well I did but I'm 80% confident that I answered things correctly. I learned after I had turned in my test that I could actually keep the booklet with the questions but I'm sort of happy I didn't. If I did I would be tempted to look and see if I answered things correctly.I figure this would only distract me. If I did poorly, it would damper my spirit. I can't let that happen now especially since I have 3 more finals to do: 2 on Thursday and one next Thursday.
Here's a quick breakdown about the differences in taking exams:
UCD:
- off campus, one big room,3000 students taking different subject exams at the same time
- PA announcements distracting
- mix of 1 hour & 2 hour exams taken during the same period.
- There are exam regulations, part of policy
- no cellphones in exam hall
- no bags/backpacks in exam halls
- no pencil cases
- must have Student ID on table
- must sit in assigned seat
UCLA:
- exams are usually in the classroom where lectures are held. The most people I've ever taken an exam with was about 350 (I think) in Ackerman Grand Ballroom. By the way, RDS is about 4, maybe 5 times bigger than AGB.
- only taking exam with students in the same class
- Informal exam regulations, decided by professor
- bags allowed but must be under seat, one professor made us put them at the front of the class
- can sit wherever, sometimes professors make students sit one seat apart
Overall there are some part of the exam process I like and some that I don't like. But I do understand why UCD sets their exams up this way. It standardizes the procedure, makes it easier for them to regulate the exam process, and prevents cheating.
Well I would type more but this post is getting long and I really must study for my exams on Thursday.
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