The following was a conversation occurring online through the mailing system for my accounting course this term, brought to my attention by one Taylor M. F. Carson (kudos to you, Taylor, and enjoy your middle names if you’re reading this).
I found that same exam pretty hard, but I didn’t think it necessary to bitch about it online, through email, to every single person in the course, and making threats about appealing it. Anyway, have a read because it’s hilariously epic.
Note: I haven’t changed any of the actual text, except for changing the names of people and placing emphasis (in bold).
Original Message:
From: Frustrated Narc
Subject: 227 final examination UNFAIR?
Date Sent: December 17, 2009 7:34 PM
To: All Students*****ATTN all students registered in 227****
A few of us were talking and were not happy with the content on the final exam and also feel that it was unfair.
Below is an excert of what we plan on sending to higher powers. If you feel the same, please reply to me with your name, section, and professor’s name.
Also please feel free to reply with any edits/additions that you think may be beneficial.
Thanks
Frustrated Narc & Random Girl
**EXCERT************************
Unfortunately, the course ill prepared us for the final examination because parts of the final examination were not clearly defined in class. I am disappointed that this course did not prepare its students for the final examination, especially as it is worth 55% of each student’s final mark.To resolve the problem, I would appreciate if you could either schedule a new examination in April 2010 that is fair to what was taught in class, or at the very least to adopt a significant curve. Enclosed are the names of students who feel that the exam was unjust.
***************************************
Reply:
From: Legend Lady
Subject: RE: 227 final examination UNFAIR?
Date Sent: December 18, 2009 11:51 AM
To: Frustrated Narc; All StudentsAlthough I can recognize that some might have felt that the final examination was challenging, I feel that arguing in its unfairness is not so much a matter of inadequate preparation due to ‘irrelevant’ course content, but more a factor of one’s unpreparedness and route memorization of course material.
The examination was not simple question-answer, as many had expected, rather it required critical thinking and an application of concepts learned in the course, as we were informed by professors. This exam really challenged our basic understanding of financial accounting.
Not to discredit your concerns, and I can acknowledge that some may have found this examination unexpected and difficult, but please re-evaluate your arguments and reflect on whether you were expecting a direct question-answer, highschool-level exam or whether you had prepared for a university-level exam requiring critical analysis and higher thinking.
Also, if you will be addressing this issue to a ‘higher power’, the term is ‘excerpt’, not ‘excert’. This may be critical to your argument.
Thank you and happy holidays,
Legend Lady
Bonus Quip:
From: Random Bystander
Subject: RE: 227 final examination UNFAIR?
Date Sent: December 18, 2009 2:53 PM
To: Legend Lady; Frustrated Narc; All StudentsIs this the part where we all start doing a slow clap for Legend Lady?
And if that were not the greatest random interjection ever (into a serious discussion, no less), in response to it there was this extra bonus from the original Frustrated Narc (who is clearly losing the battle for popularity, as I can hear the slow clapping of everyone from my own room):
From: Frustrated Narc
Subject: COMMENTS: 227 final examination
Date Sent: December 18, 2009 5:41 PM
To: Random Bystander; Legend Lady; All StudentsGuys this email was not started so that we could face off against each other. Everyone has their own opinion on the issue and that is completely fine.
If you support it great, if not, also great.
What I would (and likely many others) appreciate would be if we can keep unconstructive comments out of this.Thanks
Frustrated Narc