I have always hated proctoring in the main testing room (the "big room") at the Testing Center. I avoid it if at all possible. I happily sign up to proctor the Music Room and stamp the incoming tests for the day, but secretly hope no one will notice the absence of my name in the Big Room column. I just feel like I am such a bad proctor; I never catch anyone doing anything bad, I can never find out whose cellphone went off, and I can't muster up the courage to confront anyone about a questionable circumstance.
But today, the Big Room was unavoidable. When we opened at 10, no one had signed up to proctor, so Katie, our supervisor, was calling people out and asking them to go proctor. How can one say no to the supervisor? My sneaking around, "forgetting" to sign the board had failed.
So I walk into the testing room. Within 5 minutes I find a guy who's using scratch paper from yesterday. Though it didn't seem he was cheating, I thought I was pretty awesome for catching it. Then, 5 minutes later, I spot a guy get up from a seat and go find another seat. Fishy by definition. The guy is looking pretty intensely at the girl next to him's test as he took the new seat, so I casually walk over between them and lo and behold, they are taking the same test. A religion one, no less.
As I walk back trying to get a good angle to see where dude man is looking (his baseball hat hides a lot), another student stops me and says, "I've got a better view of that one." As it was apparent he did, and it would be hard for me to maneuver into seeing him better, I asked the guy to tell me if he saw anything. "I'm saying, I've already seen it." Um, could this cheat-catching be any more easy for me?
I go back to the front, talk to the supervisor, and we send in another employee to see the boy cheating. "By the mouth of two or more witnesses shall the truth be made known"... even at the Testing Center, yo. The other employee was in there for max 30 seconds and then came back out, claiming it was the most obvious thing he's ever seen. Since I'm wearing the nametag, it's my job to go in there and gather the guy's test materials and escort him to the supervisor. I always pictured myself being so scared and nervous in confronting someone like that... but I guess because everyone knew what he was doing, especially himself, I wasn't worried.
After cheat-man was in the custody (that makes it sound like such a bad crime, hahaha) of Katie, I went back into the Big Room to conclude my proctoring shift. Let me tell you, I felt like the biggest, best proctor that ever lived. I felt like Master Champion Cheater-Catcher (even though I didn't really do anything. And then, as icing on the cake, someone's cellphone went off not 5 minutes later... and I was standing one row over from her. I have *never* been able to tell who the cellphone culprit was. This was fate.
So I don't know why Heavenly Father felt the need to boost my Testing-Center-self-esteem, but I'm glad He did. Today at work was one of the best days I can remember working there, and I've realized it's all in the attitude. I was so much more positive and happy after feeling confident I was doing good at my job. Thanks for such a great lesson, Father.
P.S. As like, icing on top of the icing on the cake, Katie said my report I filled out on the incident was so good, and it read like a story. Score one for writing skills.
Showing posts with label Testing Center. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Testing Center. Show all posts
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
#10,000
Work this past week was insane, which of course complimented nicely with my bozo school week as well. Oh, the joy. Friday I stayed until 10:30 helping to find over 40 lost tests, which were "lost" because the scanner was messing up, so everything had to be entered by hand, so the supervisors had to deal with people plopping dozens of tests down together... some fell through the cracks of being scanned in. But we found them all, do not fret. Testing Center employees are born tough.
Saturday was even more interesting. I arrived late (... oops), but when I arrived, both the scanner AND the printer were not working, so in addition to the supervisors having to enter everything by hand, so did the test-hander-outers. Do you know how slow this is? And chaotic. And of course the lines were like 20,000 people long. We were going through 3-4 people like every 2 minutes or something (usually I can wip them babies out pretty fast).
And then, he came. I actually remembered him as we walked up to my desk. He was wearing a gray shirt with some design in red, green, and white (I remember thinking, Viva Italia? sortof) and plaid gray shorts. He also had rosy cheeks. I think I have a special magnetic field that pulls rosy-cheeked people (hmm... or maybe just boy ones?) into my life. It's weird.
I usually check my test count all the time when I am bored. And it even flashes up on the screen when you reach a new hundred number. But I didn't see it flash "10,000" at me until rosy-cheek man was already in the testing room, because of the chaos. I bet he'd have liked to know he made my day. 10,000 is a big number.
Saturday was even more interesting. I arrived late (... oops), but when I arrived, both the scanner AND the printer were not working, so in addition to the supervisors having to enter everything by hand, so did the test-hander-outers. Do you know how slow this is? And chaotic. And of course the lines were like 20,000 people long. We were going through 3-4 people like every 2 minutes or something (usually I can wip them babies out pretty fast).
And then, he came. I actually remembered him as we walked up to my desk. He was wearing a gray shirt with some design in red, green, and white (I remember thinking, Viva Italia? sortof) and plaid gray shorts. He also had rosy cheeks. I think I have a special magnetic field that pulls rosy-cheeked people (hmm... or maybe just boy ones?) into my life. It's weird.
I usually check my test count all the time when I am bored. And it even flashes up on the screen when you reach a new hundred number. But I didn't see it flash "10,000" at me until rosy-cheek man was already in the testing room, because of the chaos. I bet he'd have liked to know he made my day. 10,000 is a big number.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Two-Thirds Rule
I always try and do things like see if more boys than girls come in to take tests on Saturdays or during my shifts (late at night, right before the Testing Center closes, on late days, etc.), but every time I think there are more boys I realize it's probably just because I'm looking for them. But I've found an interesting phenomenon in the Music Room upstairs... the last 4 or 5 times I've proctored there, I've counted the male to female ratios. It figures out to 2/3 of the students up there are males, every time.
Now, of course there's been times when it's been 16/23 or something, but really. 2/3 keeps arising. What I think is interesting is the reason for this. Do guys just respond better to music playing during their test? Are males more likely to take a test at night? Or are guys just more likely to cheat, so they like the more un-proctored Music Room? (Ok, just kidding.) Of course, this is an observational study, so no causation can be concluded. (Thank you, O Noble Stats 221.) And I have only recently started collecting data. But it sure is food for thought.
Now, of course there's been times when it's been 16/23 or something, but really. 2/3 keeps arising. What I think is interesting is the reason for this. Do guys just respond better to music playing during their test? Are males more likely to take a test at night? Or are guys just more likely to cheat, so they like the more un-proctored Music Room? (Ok, just kidding.) Of course, this is an observational study, so no causation can be concluded. (Thank you, O Noble Stats 221.) And I have only recently started collecting data. But it sure is food for thought.
Friday, March 13, 2009
A Long Time Coming
To The Poor, Confused, and Disillusioned Writer of that Daily Universe People-Write-In Section Who Was Angry About There Being Proctors in the Testing Center:
Hello. You might not even remember when you wrote your letter in, but I have been stewing about this rebuttal ever since.
I work at the Testing Center. I see firsthand how every week, there are people caught cheating taking their tests. I hear the stories of the most clever cheaters ever to grace these halls, but I also am the one who walks around and evidently is the source of your concern.
Point A. Proctors Bump You As They Walk Around, Disturbing Your Test and Causing You To Lose Focus and Get Worse Grades.
Honestly, this is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. And if people like you didn't leave their bookbags and coats and food wrappers and purses and tennis rackets and shopping bags in the aisles, proctors like me wouldn't have to accidentally bump into you as they pass you at a maximum of 3 times per half hour trying not to stumble to their deaths passing over it. I have to contort myself into avoiding page corners hanging off desks as it is, and I have learned how to take 5 foot wide steps to avoid people's mess on the ground. Sorry if me bumping you makes you angry and get a bad grade. Most of the time I can't even look at the desks and tests I am passing because I am too busy looking at the floor to make sure I don't die. Testing Center employees are not picked for their more highly developed balancing abilities, so I'd like to see you trot back and forth through the rows without looking down or accidentally touching someone or something. Yeah.
Point B. Why Do We Need Proctors Anyway, If Everyone Agreed to Follow the Honor Code? They're Dumb. Let's Fire Them.
Although I congratulate your integrity in following the honor code, that doesn't mean that everyone does. Take a look around campus. Ever seen a skirt that wasn't exactly knee length, or some facial hair that seemed a little too arranged into a beard? People are willing to not exactly follow other parts of the Honor Code, obviously, so what's to say they will follow the academic portion of it exactly, either?
I've never caught an outright cheater, but I've sent some people to the supervisor for using unstamped notes and such. People will do anything to get what they want or need, and as we all know, college tests can matter a lot in your final grade, college graduation, and future careers. There are desperate people out there, and even if you knew 50% of the people on campus there'd still be over 15,000 people with their own beliefs, excuses, needs, and worries. You might want to think twice before speaking for them or allying themselves with them.
I hope I've not sounded jaded, but I just think there is a reality here that needs to be recognized. I was a naive little freshman when I came to BYU, too, and the first time I saw a girl wearing shorts about 10 inches away from her knees, I was horrified. I've since learned that there are many different interpretations of this gospel and general morality, and judging anybody just doesn't even help at all. I know the majority of people here would never ever even think of cheating on a test, but for that small percent for whom temptation sometimes gets the better of, that's what we are here for. The Super Proctors of the Universe.
I hoped that helped and wasn't too confusing. Just know there's more than meets the eye, and knowing what's really going on is sometimes actually better than just living in ignorant bliss. Sometimes.
Sincerely,
A Person Who Hates Proctoring, Being Aggressive to Test-Takers, and Who Often Tells Herself The Cheaters Will Just Have to Get Their Eternal Reward in the End
Hello. You might not even remember when you wrote your letter in, but I have been stewing about this rebuttal ever since.
I work at the Testing Center. I see firsthand how every week, there are people caught cheating taking their tests. I hear the stories of the most clever cheaters ever to grace these halls, but I also am the one who walks around and evidently is the source of your concern.
Point A. Proctors Bump You As They Walk Around, Disturbing Your Test and Causing You To Lose Focus and Get Worse Grades.
Honestly, this is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. And if people like you didn't leave their bookbags and coats and food wrappers and purses and tennis rackets and shopping bags in the aisles, proctors like me wouldn't have to accidentally bump into you as they pass you at a maximum of 3 times per half hour trying not to stumble to their deaths passing over it. I have to contort myself into avoiding page corners hanging off desks as it is, and I have learned how to take 5 foot wide steps to avoid people's mess on the ground. Sorry if me bumping you makes you angry and get a bad grade. Most of the time I can't even look at the desks and tests I am passing because I am too busy looking at the floor to make sure I don't die. Testing Center employees are not picked for their more highly developed balancing abilities, so I'd like to see you trot back and forth through the rows without looking down or accidentally touching someone or something. Yeah.
Point B. Why Do We Need Proctors Anyway, If Everyone Agreed to Follow the Honor Code? They're Dumb. Let's Fire Them.
Although I congratulate your integrity in following the honor code, that doesn't mean that everyone does. Take a look around campus. Ever seen a skirt that wasn't exactly knee length, or some facial hair that seemed a little too arranged into a beard? People are willing to not exactly follow other parts of the Honor Code, obviously, so what's to say they will follow the academic portion of it exactly, either?
I've never caught an outright cheater, but I've sent some people to the supervisor for using unstamped notes and such. People will do anything to get what they want or need, and as we all know, college tests can matter a lot in your final grade, college graduation, and future careers. There are desperate people out there, and even if you knew 50% of the people on campus there'd still be over 15,000 people with their own beliefs, excuses, needs, and worries. You might want to think twice before speaking for them or allying themselves with them.
I hope I've not sounded jaded, but I just think there is a reality here that needs to be recognized. I was a naive little freshman when I came to BYU, too, and the first time I saw a girl wearing shorts about 10 inches away from her knees, I was horrified. I've since learned that there are many different interpretations of this gospel and general morality, and judging anybody just doesn't even help at all. I know the majority of people here would never ever even think of cheating on a test, but for that small percent for whom temptation sometimes gets the better of, that's what we are here for. The Super Proctors of the Universe.
I hoped that helped and wasn't too confusing. Just know there's more than meets the eye, and knowing what's really going on is sometimes actually better than just living in ignorant bliss. Sometimes.
Sincerely,
A Person Who Hates Proctoring, Being Aggressive to Test-Takers, and Who Often Tells Herself The Cheaters Will Just Have to Get Their Eternal Reward in the End
Friday, March 6, 2009
Testing Center Musings
Today I filled in for half of my sister Megan's shift at the TC, and it was SO slow. Here's some valuable insights from the time I lazed about earning money:
1. Proctoring in the Music Room upstairs is like entering another dimension. You just sit there. For half an hour. While life continues downstairs. I tried to think about how long a half hour would feel like on the main floor, especially on a slow day like today. Time seems to either stand still or fly by in the Music Room.... please watch the past few episodes of Lost to truly capture my feelings on this.
2. Dang Chemistry tests. Why can't it all be shoved into one class, or just taught once and everyone remember it? Instead of always hearing, "Oh, we don't go that indepth in this level of this class. So please just accept that this random thing I just told you is true." I don't care about knowing why, that's all I need. Really. 10,000 different levels just seems a little redundant to me.
3. Them people who all talk in line to the people behind them, and then I'm like, "I CAN HELP THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE..." and then they stand there forever and then don't even say sorry when they finally come up to me after finishing their conversation. Yeah, I'm not as nice to them, pretty much on purpose.
4. It's really awkward when people take 5 years to pack up after you've already handed them everything and said good luck.... it's like, ok, you can move on now.... so you awkwardly smile to the next people in line, pretend to do something on the computer to take up time (check out our computer screens when you take a final in the Wilk-- not much to do there...), or organize all the person's mess for them while they're packing their bookbag. I end up doing that a lot.
5. Every night just about the time I get to work, the clock in the back starts spinning around at a good clip. Until our time in the back is 15 minutes faster than real time. So then I forget to proctor until my shift is practically half over. Oops.
6. Proctoring is boring. Unless it's downstairs in the computer room, because then they let me read. That's how I got through most of Pride & Prejudice by now.
1. Proctoring in the Music Room upstairs is like entering another dimension. You just sit there. For half an hour. While life continues downstairs. I tried to think about how long a half hour would feel like on the main floor, especially on a slow day like today. Time seems to either stand still or fly by in the Music Room.... please watch the past few episodes of Lost to truly capture my feelings on this.
2. Dang Chemistry tests. Why can't it all be shoved into one class, or just taught once and everyone remember it? Instead of always hearing, "Oh, we don't go that indepth in this level of this class. So please just accept that this random thing I just told you is true." I don't care about knowing why, that's all I need. Really. 10,000 different levels just seems a little redundant to me.
3. Them people who all talk in line to the people behind them, and then I'm like, "I CAN HELP THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE..." and then they stand there forever and then don't even say sorry when they finally come up to me after finishing their conversation. Yeah, I'm not as nice to them, pretty much on purpose.
4. It's really awkward when people take 5 years to pack up after you've already handed them everything and said good luck.... it's like, ok, you can move on now.... so you awkwardly smile to the next people in line, pretend to do something on the computer to take up time (check out our computer screens when you take a final in the Wilk-- not much to do there...), or organize all the person's mess for them while they're packing their bookbag. I end up doing that a lot.
5. Every night just about the time I get to work, the clock in the back starts spinning around at a good clip. Until our time in the back is 15 minutes faster than real time. So then I forget to proctor until my shift is practically half over. Oops.
6. Proctoring is boring. Unless it's downstairs in the computer room, because then they let me read. That's how I got through most of Pride & Prejudice by now.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Day 1 - Little Blue Men
Today in an email from the old scrapbooking magazine I subscribed to, I read the challenge to take at least one picture every day for a month. I thought it was a good idea; but we'll see how a week works out first.
Tonight it's the newbie to my desk, the Little Blue Clock Man. I picked him up at the testing center last night; there was a whole pile of stuff we could take. By the time I got to look at, it was mostly stuff from what looked like the 80s. However, I spotted little Clock Man under all the rest of the mess and knew I had to take him home. For the life of me I can't figure out how to get him to show the right time, but he's cute, so it makes up for it. He also has a clip on the back... which is currently empty though. Some day.
Tonight it's the newbie to my desk, the Little Blue Clock Man. I picked him up at the testing center last night; there was a whole pile of stuff we could take. By the time I got to look at, it was mostly stuff from what looked like the 80s. However, I spotted little Clock Man under all the rest of the mess and knew I had to take him home. For the life of me I can't figure out how to get him to show the right time, but he's cute, so it makes up for it. He also has a clip on the back... which is currently empty though. Some day.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Success!
Ok, so I realized I couldn't bug Megan about updating her blog until I update mine, or else that'd be a good example of hypocrisy. =) So, guess what... today I handed out my 1,000 test at the testing center.
The guy I gave it to was actually very nice, one of those fun test-takers you get a couple a shift. When it popped up on the screen after his test was out that it was my 1,000th, I cheered & told him so. He was like, "Yay! Does that mean I win anything?" I told him no, but it meant he was sure to do awesome on his test. I bet he did.
Working at the testing center is so fun, and such a blessing. I get to see so many people, and I recognize lots of them from home or the ward, and that's cool to me. The people I work with are so nice, and I like not having to know everything, and actually being encouraged to ask the supervisor whenever I have a question, no matter how dumb it sounds. It's nice not having the pressure to know it all, sometimes.
This Friday some of the girls on the floor & I are having a sleepover in the mezzanine. We can't watch a movie, but maybe if someone's room is clear we can catch one in a room before we hang out in the mezz. I AM SO EXCITED.... it's going to be so fun being with everyone!! except grapes will be gone... in Vegas... which, speaking of, one day on the way to English Rachael suggested we take a weekend trip to Vegas sometime. =D lol. so, we're planning on that... sometime... it's going to be great. Apparently her family knows all the good places to go, and she AND grapes can drive, so hopefully everyone will get to come! This is exactly what I've always wanted to do... just go on trips with friends. Back home nobody wanted to drive that far, or there wasn't anywhere cool to go, or our schedules could never work it out, or I guess I was just lame or something, because I always missed out on road trips to the beach. So a for reals, awesome road trip would basically be the best thing ever. And here's the closest I've ever got to Vegas:
Some other greats that have happened in the past weeks:
1. We saw off my cousin Tannes to the MTC... he's going to Ukraine. He's so excited; he was adopted from Russia, and wanted to go there, but since Russia is currently closed for missionaries, he's very pleased with Ukraine.
We tried to get a close-up of his stinkin' awesome Russian nametag (everyone else had normal English ones), but it failed. It was pretty funny... it was all Nkhtkerbyshkov Johnson. ;)
2. Rachael, Cortney, and Audrey's FHE group made caramel apples. Somehow Tyler, Sam, and I got to make them, too. And then we tried to make a pyramid.
See the rest of Sam's photolog of the evening on her facebook. Guess who took the amazing picture of Taylor's Asian impersonation...
3. Rachael, Grapes, and I got to meet Cosmo. Yes, we are just that awesome. Actually, we went into the Y-Serve to get our Service Logs signed for English, and guess what, we were rewarded for our service with a picture with Cosmo... oh yeah. Please check off BYU Rite of Passage #876.
I wonder who is under that suit sometimes. My uncle used to be Cosmo, back in the olden days. But for reals, you could be about the non-coolest person around, but when you put on the Cosmo suit, you're #1 (or, more accurately, #00). Insane.
4. I was procrastinating/working on my sister's Christmas present when I finally sat down & played with my Mac photocam thingbob. Um, best thing ever. I had to put them all up here, I love them. Too bad this made me realize exactly how bad my eye-bags are, though, LOL.
Ok, Megan, this one reminds me of your stalker:
haha. is that just me? I didn't do that on purpose lol. maybe because he came into the testing center today, I think I'm seeing him everywhere.
=) so, ciao, everyone. Please, now, have a nicer day.
Helpful hint of the day: Save the Police Blotters from every Tuesday's Daily Universe to show your children, your nieces, your nephews, and your grandchildren one day. Your relatives will love coming over to your house if you are cool enough to do this.
P.S. I realized how in my 9/12 blog I said that my friend Justin at the Naval Academy just got my letter... & I just got his back Saturday. It was dated like almost a month ago. That means it takes like 3 weeks to get mail around here... sigh. At home it took a week for us to get round trip letters to each other... BOO ON YOU, MAIL PEOPLE.
The guy I gave it to was actually very nice, one of those fun test-takers you get a couple a shift. When it popped up on the screen after his test was out that it was my 1,000th, I cheered & told him so. He was like, "Yay! Does that mean I win anything?" I told him no, but it meant he was sure to do awesome on his test. I bet he did.
Working at the testing center is so fun, and such a blessing. I get to see so many people, and I recognize lots of them from home or the ward, and that's cool to me. The people I work with are so nice, and I like not having to know everything, and actually being encouraged to ask the supervisor whenever I have a question, no matter how dumb it sounds. It's nice not having the pressure to know it all, sometimes.
This Friday some of the girls on the floor & I are having a sleepover in the mezzanine. We can't watch a movie, but maybe if someone's room is clear we can catch one in a room before we hang out in the mezz. I AM SO EXCITED.... it's going to be so fun being with everyone!! except grapes will be gone... in Vegas... which, speaking of, one day on the way to English Rachael suggested we take a weekend trip to Vegas sometime. =D lol. so, we're planning on that... sometime... it's going to be great. Apparently her family knows all the good places to go, and she AND grapes can drive, so hopefully everyone will get to come! This is exactly what I've always wanted to do... just go on trips with friends. Back home nobody wanted to drive that far, or there wasn't anywhere cool to go, or our schedules could never work it out, or I guess I was just lame or something, because I always missed out on road trips to the beach. So a for reals, awesome road trip would basically be the best thing ever. And here's the closest I've ever got to Vegas:
Some other greats that have happened in the past weeks:
1. We saw off my cousin Tannes to the MTC... he's going to Ukraine. He's so excited; he was adopted from Russia, and wanted to go there, but since Russia is currently closed for missionaries, he's very pleased with Ukraine.
We tried to get a close-up of his stinkin' awesome Russian nametag (everyone else had normal English ones), but it failed. It was pretty funny... it was all Nkhtkerbyshkov Johnson. ;)
2. Rachael, Cortney, and Audrey's FHE group made caramel apples. Somehow Tyler, Sam, and I got to make them, too. And then we tried to make a pyramid.
See the rest of Sam's photolog of the evening on her facebook. Guess who took the amazing picture of Taylor's Asian impersonation...
3. Rachael, Grapes, and I got to meet Cosmo. Yes, we are just that awesome. Actually, we went into the Y-Serve to get our Service Logs signed for English, and guess what, we were rewarded for our service with a picture with Cosmo... oh yeah. Please check off BYU Rite of Passage #876.
I wonder who is under that suit sometimes. My uncle used to be Cosmo, back in the olden days. But for reals, you could be about the non-coolest person around, but when you put on the Cosmo suit, you're #1 (or, more accurately, #00). Insane.
4. I was procrastinating/working on my sister's Christmas present when I finally sat down & played with my Mac photocam thingbob. Um, best thing ever. I had to put them all up here, I love them. Too bad this made me realize exactly how bad my eye-bags are, though, LOL.
Ok, Megan, this one reminds me of your stalker:
haha. is that just me? I didn't do that on purpose lol. maybe because he came into the testing center today, I think I'm seeing him everywhere.
=) so, ciao, everyone. Please, now, have a nicer day.
Helpful hint of the day: Save the Police Blotters from every Tuesday's Daily Universe to show your children, your nieces, your nephews, and your grandchildren one day. Your relatives will love coming over to your house if you are cool enough to do this.
P.S. I realized how in my 9/12 blog I said that my friend Justin at the Naval Academy just got my letter... & I just got his back Saturday. It was dated like almost a month ago. That means it takes like 3 weeks to get mail around here... sigh. At home it took a week for us to get round trip letters to each other... BOO ON YOU, MAIL PEOPLE.
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