The last seven days before the winter break I covered a science class. On day one (which was a Wednesday) all the classes had a test.
Because I was going to be there for over a week, it fell to me to get the makeups for this test taken care of.
The tests were on Scantrons, so that made the grading easier. I waited a couple days before braving the Scantron machine. (I had never used one before, so I thought figuring it out would be a challenge. It wasn't.) A few test stragglers had made their tests up by then. But not all.
After grading and recording the first batch of tests, a couple other students got their tests taken. I retrieved the keys from the "keys" book. (The teacher left me a binder with keys for all the assigned work during her absence.) I ran the tests. And I went home for the day.
While recording the test scores, I noticed something about the key I used for one of the tests. It said "earthquakes". But the Earth science test had been on "resources". Oh crap! Had I used the wrong key for all the tests?
The next day I learned the answer. No, I hadn't. I had just grabbed one wrong key for one test.
Whew. Because having to run all the tests again... (And there were A and B tests, so putting everything back into the right order...)
How stressful! You are so lucky you only ran the wrong test key for one of the tests. I would hate to have to resort! I'm guessing the kids put some sort of test number or something at the top of the scantron for those purposes?
ReplyDeleteThey were told to. They were supposed to. But not everyone did.
DeleteThat would've sucked all right.
ReplyDeleteMakes you long for the "good old days" when testing was done "by hand" instead of machine. Glad it worked out!
ReplyDeletebetty
Phew! Glad it was just one wrong key for one test. I never had to do anything like that. All my test grading (and creating, for that matter) was done by hand.
ReplyDeleteHi Liz - when you're doing something out of your comfort zone - it's not easy ... and one worries and then think we might make a mistake - so glad you didn't - whew as you say ...
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year ... Cheers Hilary
I had never heard of these machines. Thanks for the lessons!
ReplyDeleteI guess they were after your time. Teachers used them when I was in school, so they've been around for a while.
DeleteLOL! Everything is after my time! I'm old. We used pencils and papers and that is how the teachers graded too. I asked Harley about it and she knew exactly what they were.
DeleteSome things change. Some things don't.
DeleteScantron tests seems to be an American thing because I honestly can't say that I've ever seen one in the UK. I guess it helps save time.
ReplyDeleteThey do. You've never taken a multiple choice test in pencil that was to be scored by a machine? I can't believe there isn't some UK equivalent.
DeleteOh things were so much simpler when I was in school. I don't envy you!
ReplyDeleteEek! Glad you figured it all out :)
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteI don't think we have Scantrons in the UK but I could be wrong, it was a very a long time since I was at school!
ReplyDeleteThat's Purrfect
Oh goodness. Glad it worked out!
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a scary moment. It probably would have been scary for whoever took it if they got the incorrectly graded test back, too :)
ReplyDeleteYikes! That's one of those moments where you hold your breath and sleep poorly, eh? I'm so glad you did do it right!
ReplyDeleteIt could be a lot worst. We all make plenty of Boo...
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Oh yes. I have a tag "blunder" for just such an occasion.
DeleteMust have been scary there for a bit.
ReplyDeleteWhat's important is that you gave the students the correct test! I can see why you were worried though and am glad things turned out ok.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I suppose it could have been worse.
DeleteThat moment of terror, huh?
ReplyDeleteWe have tests like that in Australia but I've never heard of them being referred to as Scranton. They're a good idea. Saves the teacher painful marking.
ReplyDeleteScantron is the name of the company. What are they called in Australia?
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