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 |
700 |
| Midterm Exam |
150 |
| Final Exam |
150 |
| Total |
1,000 |
Grading Scale
| Grade |
Percentage |
Total Points |
| A |
90–100 |
900–1,000 |
| B |
80–89 |
800–899 |
| C |
70–79 |
700–799 |
| D |
60–69 |
600–699 |
| F |
0–59 |
0–599 |
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.
Submitted Work
The course has seven progress evaluations. For Lessons 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9, the submitted work consists of short-answer responses and other writing. For Lesson 10, you will prepare a presentation by creating slides and a script in the PowerPoint format. The progress evaluations are worth from 50 to 200 points.
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.
Each lesson provides step-by-step instructions on how to submit your work.
Grading Rubric for Progress Evaluations
The criteria for a short essay or writing assignment are (1) accuracy of content, (2) comprehensiveness, completeness, and balance, (3) clarity, readability, and grammatical correctness, and (4) formatting in accordance with specified guidelines.
Grade/Percentages
A (90–100%)
The response meets all criteria. The essay addresses all aspects of the question and develops main points through relevant examples. The essay reads smoothly, with appropriate transitions. Writing is clear and grammatically correct. Response is formatted according to specified guidelines.
B (80–89%)
The response is very good, but weaker than an A essay in one area. It may address all aspects of the question but provide few examples or show occasional grammatical problems. Or it may be clearly written but contain some inaccuracies or show problems with formatting.
C (70–79%)
The response is good but not excellent. The response indicates a general understanding of the topic but is weaker in the quality of the writing. Or it may be well written but respond to only part of the question or disregard formatting requirements.
D (60–69%)
The response is weak in all areas. It may be so poorly written, disorganized, or inaccurate that the reader cannot understand the content. However, it still provides an indication that the student has read the material, although he is struggling to understand it.
F (0–59%) The response fails to meet any of the criteria.
Exams
You are required to take 2 formal, supervised exams for this course. There will be an midterm exam following Lesson 5 and a final exam at the end of the course. Each exam consists of a single essay question that requires a lengthy response. The exams will be evaluated by your instructor. You will have to bring your own paper on which to write your answers (see "What to Bring to the Exam Site" below).
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.
Exam Matrix
|
Midterm Exam (covers lessons 1–5) |
Final Exam (comprehensive) |
| When to Request an Exam |
after you complete Lesson 5 |
after you receive your feedback for Lesson 10 |
| Questions and Type |
|
|
| Points Possible |
150 points |
150 points |
| Time Limit |
2 hours |
2 hours |
| What to Bring to the Exam Site |
- paper
- pen or pencil
- a valid photo identification (MU students can use their student ID cards.)
- your CDIS ID number
|
- paper
- pen or pencil
- a valid photo identification (MU students can use their student ID cards.)
- your CDIS ID number
|
| More Information |
See the course overview. |
See the course overview. |
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.