Well, it partially depends on why you missed the test, and so every case
is evaluated on its individual merits, but here is the essence of my
policy, and the general guidelines I try to follow.
First, in general I do not give official makeup tests, for any
reason. Many students go to considerable lengths to attend all tests at
the regularly scheduled times, even if they feel unwell, nervous, or
unprepared. I respect the seriousness they show to the course by such
behaviour, and although I certainly do not want anyone to risk
their health for a maths class, I also do want to be fair to those
students who "put themselves out" to try to do their best. My policy is
to make sure that the treatment other students receive does not diminish
the efforts of those who do attend the tests as scheduled.
However, having said that, I do also want to be fair to students who,
for reasons beyond their control, are unable to be at a test at the
scheduled time. Whatever my policy might be, my paramount concern is
that at the end of the semester, the mark the student receives is a
fair reflection of their achievement in the course. In a word: I
will always try to be fair!
So, if you are unable to attend a class test, please let me know as soon
as possible (in advance if that is possible, otherwise as soon as you
know you will not be there let me know, by phone, by email, by message
from another student, by whatever means you can). See me as soon as you
get back to the college, preferably before class. If your reason is
medical, bring me a note from your doctor specifying that your condition
made it impossible for you to attend the test (I may phone your doctor
to verify that your condition was serious enough to keep you from
school). In any case, see me as soon as you can so we can arrange for
you to take a makeup test.
Your makeup test will be "unofficial", meaning that I will use it to
give you a fair term mark, but the fact that it was done later than the
normal test (giving you more time for study, etc) means any mark on a
makeup may be weighed with your other work to be sure it does not
distort your grade unfairly compared to other students. (Note that
illness cannot be used as an excuse for poor performance on a makeup -
be sure you are well before resuming your work at JAC!)
The makeup test must be scheduled in one of the following times:
11:30 - 1:00, 1:00 - 2:30, 2:30 - 4:00. It will be taken in the Maths
Lab, and is subject to a free space and time being available.
The test will differ from the test written by the rest of the class -
but it will be a fair reflection of the material being tested. However,
you should be aware that generally students do much worse on makeups
than on regular tests. This is probably because of the students
concerned (most students asking for makeups seem usually to be among
the weaker students in the class), but be warned: generally delaying a
test to do a makeup is not a good way to try to improve your marks! If
you really cannot make the scheduled time, then see me and arrange
something, but if you can make it, you'll probably be better off.