Finally - Information on my Comps at WNMU (And a question for you all...)

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by mattbrent, Mar 28, 2011.

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  1. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    Howdy Folks,

    Since many people have talked about WNMU and have asked me to keep everyone updated, I wanted to share a bit about my comprehensive exams. After several weeks of asking questions, I finally received some information. Woohoo! They were considering the format for the exams and were trying to figure out if they wanted to go with a proctored format or a take home format. Apparently they settled on the take home format, which is okay, but to make things even better, the timeline for me taking the completing the comps is over my high school's spring break. That couldn't have been timed better!

    So here's what I know so far. As you all know, WNMU requires students to choose two concentrations. Mine were history and political science. I was given a list of study questions from each of the courses I've taken (I'm still waiting on those from my political science courses...) and these questions are my guide. In a few weeks when the time comes for me to actually complete the exams, my advisor will email me the test with at least 6 questions on it, and I have to answer 3. That doesn't sound too bad. I'll take a written test anyday.

    Because I've never taken comps before (My Walden MS required a massive portfolio), I wasn't sure about the length. I asked Dr. Hernandez, my history advisor, about the length. He replied that there wasn't a departmental standard for length, and that I should just make sure I answer the question while keeping their attention.

    So here's my question for you guys. What do you think is an appropriate length for a response to a comprehensive exam question? I'll have the week off, so I'll have plenty of time to work on them, but I don't want to over do it, or not do enough.

    Thanks,
    Matt
     
  2. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    I think that the right length is precisely the length that answers the question but doesn't put the grader to sleep. (as has been suggested). If you have a take home exam, write the answer out once, then read it. Get rid of any unnecessary prose and read it again. You'll find more prose to get rid of. Then read it again. By then you should be at the right length.

    The key to responses is structure and proving you have a logical approach that builds point by point. If you must have length, make it relevant and easy to follow.
     
  3. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    wow Matt, I can't believe you're wrapping up this degree! Seems like yesterday when you started.
     
  4. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    Indeed! But boy, am I ready to be done! I'm not going to miss classwork each week, that's for sure. (Well, for a while anyway...)

    -Matt
     
  5. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    As others said, it depends the question. My responses ranged from 5 to 20+ pages. I had to do one a day for 5 days. At the beginning of the week, I was trying to be as thorough and complete as possible. By the end of the week, I was so burned out, I didn't care anymore. I just wrote enough to answer the question.
     

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