Is this a final or a mid-term? Because then it's appropriate for the student to ask how many questions there will be, if it's an essay exam since the amount of questions generally determine the amount of time the test will take.
As to the other question, I don't honestly see a problem with it, if the amount of questions honestly doesn't matter on the test. If you feel the teacher's tone was disrespectful, then that's another matter entirely and one that needs to be addressed with the teacher during office hours--or, if it's a more serious and repetitive nonoccurence, the head of the teacher's department.
It's a final, but he has revealed that it will be a combination of T/F, multiple choice, and open (but probably one- or two-sentence) questions, no essays.
I don't know if I would even say that his tone was disrespectful, although as the student who asked him I certainly didn't appreciate his answer or find it remotely helpful. I guess I just don't understand why that should be privileged information that I don't have access to.
I think it is reasonable for a student to ask the question about how many questions there will be but in my 10 years of post high school education, not once has a teacher ever answered that question.
They also never answered with a chuckle and a smart ass remark either (and believe me, I've had some really smart ass teachers in my time). So, while I would never have expected him to actually tell you how many questions are on the exam... the answer he did give wasn't really appropriate either.
Have any of your teachers given you that information unasked, though? I mean... have you ever been able to go into an exam knowing how many questions there would be? I would say that MOST of my past teachers have told us, either voluntarily or when asked, at least a rough estimate beforehand.
I think refusing to give that information to students is RIDICULOUS. I don't really understand the teachers' justification. What do you think it is?
I honestly don't remember ever knowing how many questions would be on an exam, unless there were essays. I do remember that most teachers would say how many essays there would be but other than that, they'd just give the "you'll have multiple choice or short answer." I also took a LOT of science and math classes where essays weren't really an issue. We were just told that we would have three hours for the exam and if we're good, that's how long it would take us to complete it. So, for me - having a teacher not give you the answer to your question seems completely normal... except for the way he did answer it. That's questionable.
As for motivations, since I never had a teacher tell me how many questions would be on an exam... I can't really help you there. Like I said, I think I would have been more surprised if he gave you the answer.
I am sorry that this has you upset though. :( *hugs*
It is very reasonable for a teacher to say how many questions will be on the exam. There is no reason for this type of information to be kept from the student.
And yeah, you ought to be pissed about getting the second response. As a former student and someone who has made exams I understand the anxiety. Your teacher should at least say, "well, I'll get back to you" or "I'm still working on the exam" and not LOL about it.
Thank you! I understand that to HIM it doesn't make a difference how many questions there are, but I asked him because it matters to ME--because knowing as much information as I can about a test helps me to feel prepared and confident going in. As it is I don't know whether to expect 25 questions or 100.
I've seen many students in my classes get a similarly sarcastic response, so your experience doesn't surprise me (though I'm not trying to minimize your frustration). Also, I doubt most of my professors would have the exam written a week and a half early.
I'd guess it largely depends on the department. I took one humanities class this semester, and I knew going into it there would be 3 essays. For my engineering/math classes, I had no idea how many questions there would be. For all of our classes there is a 2 hour exam time limit, and I think the engineering dept. uses this to scare us by deliberately withholding the number of questions that will be on the final...
I would have understood if he had said that he didn't know because he hadn't written it yet. OTOH, this teacher routinely gives us printed handouts from like 1998, so I guess I figured he'd be giving us an old exam too.
I think the engineering dept. uses this to scare us
See, I think that's awful! Teachers/departments shouldn't SCARE students.
IDK, I feel like maybe I've been spoiled by this one really GREAT sociology teacher I've taken a bunch of classes from. She's really great about telling students exactly what to expect on their exams and being really respectful of students as fellow human beings and fellow adults, and that makes ME respect her as an authority figure and role model a lot more than any of my other teachers. And her exams are still really challenging and nervewracking, so it's not like she's making it EASY. She just wants to help us to not stress out so much.
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As to the other question, I don't honestly see a problem with it, if the amount of questions honestly doesn't matter on the test. If you feel the teacher's tone was disrespectful, then that's another matter entirely and one that needs to be addressed with the teacher during office hours--or, if it's a more serious and repetitive nonoccurence, the head of the teacher's department.
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I don't know if I would even say that his tone was disrespectful, although as the student who asked him I certainly didn't appreciate his answer or find it remotely helpful. I guess I just don't understand why that should be privileged information that I don't have access to.
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They also never answered with a chuckle and a smart ass remark either (and believe me, I've had some really smart ass teachers in my time). So, while I would never have expected him to actually tell you how many questions are on the exam... the answer he did give wasn't really appropriate either.
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I think refusing to give that information to students is RIDICULOUS. I don't really understand the teachers' justification. What do you think it is?
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As for motivations, since I never had a teacher tell me how many questions would be on an exam... I can't really help you there. Like I said, I think I would have been more surprised if he gave you the answer.
I am sorry that this has you upset though. :( *hugs*
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And yeah, you ought to be pissed about getting the second response. As a former student and someone who has made exams I understand the anxiety. Your teacher should at least say, "well, I'll get back to you" or "I'm still working on the exam" and not LOL about it.
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I'd guess it largely depends on the department. I took one humanities class this semester, and I knew going into it there would be 3 essays. For my engineering/math classes, I had no idea how many questions there would be. For all of our classes there is a 2 hour exam time limit, and I think the engineering dept. uses this to scare us by deliberately withholding the number of questions that will be on the final...
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I think the engineering dept. uses this to scare us
See, I think that's awful! Teachers/departments shouldn't SCARE students.
IDK, I feel like maybe I've been spoiled by this one really GREAT sociology teacher I've taken a bunch of classes from. She's really great about telling students exactly what to expect on their exams and being really respectful of students as fellow human beings and fellow adults, and that makes ME respect her as an authority figure and role model a lot more than any of my other teachers. And her exams are still really challenging and nervewracking, so it's not like she's making it EASY. She just wants to help us to not stress out so much.