Completion exams - are they fair?

[snitzle]

I will be returning to SGU next Friday to begin Term 2 (matriculated Jan. 2004), and I will be taking a completion exam (i.e. makeup final) in Anatomy the first day of class. My question is: do the professors try to screw you with a really difficult and unfair test for these completion exams?

A few weeks ago, someone posted a message somewhere on this forum saying that they'd "never want to take a completion exam" and that one should absolutely try to avoid them at all costs!

To be honest, this really scared me. And, the more I thought about it, it started to anger me a little as well. After all, these makeup exams are an official component of SGU's academic policies (as they are in the US) for those who have legitimate medical documentation to support it, right? If they're just going to unfairly beat the crap out of you later, then what's the purpose of the policy to begin with?

Of course, as I've said before, I've learned to get 2nd - and 3rd, and 4th, and 5th, etc. - opinions regarding advice and rumors pertaining to SGU. So please... ANYONE who has any experience/knowledge with taking a completion exam at SGU, could you give us the real story??? I know a few others in my situation (different courses) as well, and we'd really like to know what's waiting for us when we go back!

Thanks in advance for any information!

[5th Termer]

I think the reason Student X didn't want to take a completion exam is because of the anxiety associated with having a big, uncompleted event hanging over his/her head. As far as making the test harder to punish students in your position somehow, I doubt it. If it seems hard, its probably because all tests at SGU are hard.

Reading between the lines of your post, it seems that you may be feeling some of the "uncompletion" stress. Don't worry, when you get there you will see that there are other students in the same position. Just do your best and it will all pass soon enough. Soliciting multiple opinions might not help that much, because the test is different every time, and nobody knows for sure what your completion exam will be like.

You can do it. All the best.

[geoff]

I've known quite a lot of students who did make ups....and for the most part I believe almost all passed. they're tough, just like the real ones as mentioned above...as always...work hard and you'll do fine. My roomie had a similar situation to you...and he had to write both his micro final and cumulative....that's the whole term...path back to back...Monday then tuesday ...he was terrified...and quite frankly so was I. So much so that I made separate living arrangements in St. Vincent's...well, I moved off campus within a week..... and for the same price got a car...and a two bedroom place with a view of all the islands...... so all went well. Best of luck.
Geoff