Grades
Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:
Points Distribution
| Source |
Available Points |
| Progress Evaluations |
180 |
| Midterm Exam |
200 |
| Research Report |
100 |
| Final Exam |
200 |
| Total |
680 |
In order to pass the course, you must earn a minimum of 240 cumulative points (60 percent) on the 2 exams combined. The following grading scale applies only to students who meet this standard:
Grading Scale
| Grade |
Percentage |
Total Points |
A+ |
97–100 |
660–680 |
A |
93–96 |
632–659 |
A– |
90–92 |
612–631 |
B+ |
87–89 |
592–611 |
B |
83–86 |
564–591 |
B– |
80–82 |
544–563 |
C+ |
77–79 |
524–543 |
C |
73–76 |
496–523 |
C– |
70–72 |
476–495 |
D+ |
67–69 |
456–475 |
D |
63–66 |
428–455 |
D– |
60–62 |
408–427 |
F |
0–59 |
0–407 |
After completing the course, you will receive a grade report that gives your final exam score and your letter grade for the course. The Center will not mail your grade report until all outstanding balances have been paid.
Academic integrity. You are expected to follow CDIS guidelines for academic integrity and freedom. Please review your academic rights and responsibilities.
Progress Evaluations
The work you will submit for this course consists of progress evaluations that occur at the end of each lesson and are submitted to your course instructor for grading. There are twelve progress evaluations worth 15 points each for a total of 180 points. Each lesson provides step-by-step instructions on how to submit your work.
You may use any assigned readings, your notes, and other course-related materials to complete these assignments. The points you earn on your submitted work count toward your final course grade.
You must submit all assigned work in sequence (Lesson 1, then Lesson 2, etc.), and you cannot submit more than 3 assignments in a 7-day period.
After your work has been scored, you will receive a report that provides individualized feedback and/or comments on your work. Look carefully at what you missed and read any corresponding feedback. Then study the lesson materials to make certain that you can accomplish the associated learning objectives.
Research Report
You will write a research report that will be submitted with the Lesson 12 progress evaluation. The topic for the report must be submitted with the Lesson 10 progress evaluation. The report must be a minimum of eight pages long and follow APA guidelines for writing a paper. The document linked at left is a complete guide for writing the report. A section on writing the report is included in Lessons 7, 10, 11, and 12.
Exams
You are required to take 2 formal, supervised exams for this course.
You may request an exam over the Web using the "Request" button below, but exams themselves may not be taken online. It is your responsibility to schedule your exams, so allow enough time (generally 7–10 business days) for the Center to receive your request and prepare copies for your chosen exam site.
CDIS has approved exam sites throughout the United States and around the world. However, if you are enrolled in a university course and live in Columbia, Missouri, you must take your exams at the Center's campus office in Columbia. No appointment or exam request is necessary to take exams at our office, and any CDIS student may take an exam at the Center during regularly scheduled hours. For more information about scheduling exams, see the CDIS guidelines on examinations.
You may not use any textbook(s), notes, or other outside resources during an exam unless otherwise noted below.
Minimum Exam Points
In order to pass the course, you must earn a minimum of 240 points (60 percent) on the 2 exams combined.
Exam Matrix
|
Midterm Exam (covers Lessons 1–6) |
Final Exam (covers Lessons 7–12) |
| When to Request an Exam |
after you receive your feedback for Lesson 6 |
after you receive your feedback for Lesson 12 |
| Questions and Type |
- multiple-choice, matching, and short answer
|
- multiple-choice, matching, and short answer
|
| Points Possible |
200 points |
200 points |
| Time Limit |
2 hours |
2 hours |
| What to Bring to the Exam Site |
- pen or pencil
- a valid photo identification (MU students can use their student ID cards.)
- your CDIS ID number
|
- pen or pencil
- a valid photo identification (MU students can use their student ID cards.)
- your CDIS ID number
|
| Additional Review |
How to Study for the Midterm Exam |
How to Study for the Final Exam |
How to Prepare for Exams
- Complete all assignments.
- Review the lesson objectives; make sure you can accomplish them.
- Be prepared to explain any key terms and concepts.
- Complete any review exercises, study questions, and activities; check your answers.
- Review any feedback and/or comments on your lesson reports and previous exams; look up answers to any questions you missed.