Testing

• A.   Test Plan

All examinations offered within MCCN will utilize a paperless method for testing. If an extenuating circumstance prevents the delivery of a paperless method for testing, your course faculty will work to devise an alternate plan.

• B. Testing Procedures

  • Exam times will be calculated based on the following:

    • Standard question item types: 70 seconds/question

    • NGN question item types: 120 seconds/question

    • Math calculations: 120 seconds/question

    • Dose Calculation Quiz Competency: 180 seconds/question

  • Backward navigation will be restricted for all nursing courses.

  • All students must take a scheduled examination at the designated time. The student must notify the course faculty of an emergency or unexpected illness prior to the beginning of the exam or a “0” may be recorded. Students with an excused absence are required to take the alternate format make-up exam which consists of 50% alternate format questions (i.e. exam questions that use a different format than standard multiple-choice questions, including  fill-in-the-blank, essay, multiple response, etc.).*  Make-up testing must be completed within 5-7 days of the originally scheduled exam.  It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for the make-up exam with the course faculty.*

    • *Exceptions may be made for student absences extending beyond one week, or for extenuating circumstances (e.g. military deployment, jury duty, etc.) deemed outside of the student’s control with approval from the College of Nursing Leadership team.

  •  A student who misses a scheduled ATI proctored assessment may forfeit the first attempt, receive a zero for the test attempt, and be required to complete Active Learning Templates matching a Below Level 1 score for the course, and aligning with those topics identified on the group report. The retake assessment is required.

  • A student who misses an ATI proctored assessment retake, may forfeit remediation points and the additional percentage points if meets the benchmark, and will automatically be required to complete Active Learning Templates for each topic missed on the rescheduled retake. An incomplete grade will be entered until the retake is completed.

  • Failure to take an in-class quiz at the designated time, may result in a zero for that assignment. Students missing due to religious reasons must communicate that at least 24 hours in advance to the instructor. Missing due to illness must have a healthcare provider’s excuse/note submitted (as directed in the Medical Release to Return to MCCN policy in the Catalog-Handbook) to the Director of Compliance and Safety within 12 hours after the missed assessment.

  • A student who arrives late to a scheduled exam (in-person or remote) and is within the midpoint of the exam start time (e.g., 30 minutes of a 60 minute exam), may take the exam. However, no additional time will be added to the original exam end time. A student arriving after the midpoint of the exam start time (in-person or remote), at faculty discretion, may forfeit the exam attempt and must comply with the make-up testing procedures as previously stated.

  • Grades will be posted within 3 business days.

  • Test review

  • Depending on the course, an in-person test review may include a collaborative test review process:

    • Students participating in the collaborative review process should remain seated, and will not be permitted to leave the room, access belongings, or electronic devices following their individual test submission.

    • After all students have finished the exam, students will be randomly assigned into groups of 4-5.

*Students with additional time accommodations will begin the individualized exam prior to the scheduled exam start time to allow for a universal exam completion time.

*Students with quiet room testing accommodations will remain in the testing room until notification from the course instructor, at which time they will be escorted by MCCN staff or faculty to the assigned classroom.

• • • A test access code will be provided to the group “leader.” The test access code activates a duplicated individual test available to only the leader, predetermined by faculty, prior to the post-test collaborative testing session. The leader submits all answers and the test, based on group input at which time students will be permitted to access their belongings, leave the room etc.

    • Students may earn additional points for achieving an A or B grade on the group test.* For example:

      • ●     A = 2 additional points on individual test grade

      • ●     B = 1 additional point on individual test grade

* Total bonus points will not exceed 1% of total course points, will be identified in the syllabus, and will not be available as a foundation for passing a course.

• • • No other specific post-test discussion will take place.

    • Students absent from the scheduled exam, forfeits the opportunity to participate in the collaborative review testing process.

  • Alternatively, at the next regular scheduled class, or within one week of the exam for courses meeting more than one time in a week, and after all students have completed the exam, a review highlighting overall concepts rather than specific test questions may occur.

  • Students who score below 73% or those who would like to meet with faculty individually to review concepts may contact faculty up to one week following the exam by appointment. Test integrity is the paramount focus of this review.

*Students wishing to challenge a test item, must complete a challenge form in the presence of the instructor

• • On-line test review will include a review of concepts only.

• C.  Test Administration

  • In-Person Proctored Environment

    • a.     Each student will use their own personal device* for testing. The MCCN adopted electronic testing platforms will be utilized during the examination process.

* See the Minimum requirements for each operating system found in the Catalog-Handbook: http://catalog.mccn.edu > “College Technology”

*iPads and Chromebooks are not supported.

• • • b. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their personal device meets the College’s hardware and software recommendations for testing, is fully charged, and functions properly prior to testing.

Before any test, students should perform a system check to verify that their device is functioning correctly and that all required software and updates (i.e., browsers and OS) are installed. Students should also clear the device history, cookies, and cache, and restart their device before accessing the test environment.

Faculty are not responsible for troubleshooting students’ personal device issues during testing. Students are encouraged to:

• • • • • Review the ATI & Testing Troubleshooting Guide,

        • Contact MCCN Helpline,

        • Contact ATI support for ATI’s Content Mastery Series assessments,

        • Contact Canvas support, or

        • Submit a ticket to the Respondus Technical support team.

If the student resolves the device issue within the midpoint of the exam start time (e.g., 30 minutes of a 60-minute exam), the exam may be taken. However, no additional time will be added to the original exam end time. If the device issue remains unresolved after the midpoint of the exam start-window, the student’s exam attempt may be forfeited at the faculty’s discretion. In such cases, the  student must follow the make-up testing procedures as outlined.

• • • c.    Only calculators offered through the testing platforms are allowed. If the use of a calculator is required for an examination such as a dosage calculation exam, the student will be provided with a MCCN approved calculator.

    • d.     All personal items including backpacks, purses, tote bags, coats, hats, scarves, and gloves, etc. should be placed in the front/back of the room during the testing session.

    • e.    Entry into backpacks, purses, tote bags and/or other personal belongings is not permitted during testing.*

    • f.     All electronic devices including cell phones, smart watches, and fitness bands should be turned off and stowed with personal belongings during the testing period.

    • g.    Taking breaks and/or exiting the classroom during testing is not permitted. *

    • h.    Consumption of beverages and/or snacks during testing is not allowed. Bottled water without a label is permitted.*

    • i.     During each testing session, students are permitted to use faculty-provided paper and a pencil at the discretion of each course faculty. Failure to submit the faculty-provided paper upon request will result in a zero score for the test.

    • j.     If items such as earplugs or tissues are needed during testing, students should notify the proctor by raising their hand. *

    • k.    A student should notify the proctor of any technical difficulties during testing, by raising their hand.*

* : May be allowed in different format with approved student accommodations

• • ii. Remote Environment

Remote proctored examinations will utilize the recommended proctoring  software:

• • • • Remote Canvas Testing

        • Canvas Integrated Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor

      • Remote ATI Testing

        • ATI Integrated Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor

    • a.    Minimum system requirements needed for online testing can be found at the following sites:

      • • i.        Canvas

        • ii.        Canvas Integrated Respondus LockDown Browser

        • iii.        Canvas Integrated Respondus Monitor

        • iv.        ATI Integrated Respondus

*iPads and Chromebooks are not supported.

• • • b.    For technical difficulties during the examination experience contact the following:

      • •  i.        Canvas Support: 1.833.716.8412

        • ii.        Canvas Integrated Respondus: Ticket Submission

        • iii.        ATI Integrated Respondus: 1.800.667.7531

    • c. To avoid being flagged for academic misconduct, students should  follow the guidelines outlined by Respondus:

      • • i.        The testing area should also be free of distractions and interruptions.

        • ii.        Turn off all other devices (e.g., tablets, phones, second computers) and place them outside of your reach.

        • iii.        Clear the desk/area of all external materials not permitted — books, papers, other devices, etc.

        •  iv.        Remain at the testing device for the duration of the test.

        • v.        If the device or networking environment is different than what was used previously with the Webcam Check and System & Network Check in LockDown Browser, run the checks again prior to starting the test.

        • vi.        To produce a good webcam video, do the following:

          • 1.       Avoid wearing baseball caps or hats with brims.

          • 2.       Ensure the device is on a firm surface (a desk or table). Do NOT have the device on a lap, a bed or other surface where the device is likely to move.

          • 3.       If using a built-in webcam, avoid tilting the screen after the webcam setup is complete.

          • 4.   Take the exam in a well-lit room and avoid backlighting, such as sitting in front of a window.

*Remember that LockDown Browser will prevent  accessing other websites or applications and the ability to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted.

• • • d.    Students must follow the same testing guidelines as identified in the in-person proctored environment (A-I), with the additional remote environment guidelines:

      • • i.        Students may choose the setting in which they test as long as the chosen area meets the remote proctored guidelines (e.g., the environment is free of resources [including but not limited to notes on the walls, testing area, etc.], other people, adequate lighting etc.).

        • ii.        Students should dress appropriately, as if they were testing in a public, in-person setting.

        • iii.        Students must show a valid picture ID (i.e. driver’s license, passport, or MCCN school ID).*

        • iv.        Students must perform an Environment Check, including a full 360-degree view of the surroundings, and ensuring:

          • 1.    The desktop or workspace is completely visible and free from unauthorized materials.

          • 2.    The area under and around the desk is shown.

          • 3.    No other people are present in the room.

          • 4.    The camera captures every corner of the workspace, including the floor and ceiling.*

*Failure to show a valid picture ID or complete an Environment Check as stated above, will be considered an academic misconduct violation, and will be reported accordingly; a zero will be recorded for the test.

• • • e. During each testing session, students are permitted to use a dry erase board, marker, and eraser, at the discretion of each course faculty.

Prior to beginning the test, the student should hold the blank whiteboard to the webcam, rotating it slowly to show both sides and confirming that it is blank and free of writing,  

Immediately after finishing the exam, and before submitting, the student should erase the whiteboard, and submit webcam photos of both sides of the whiteboard, confirming that it is blank and free of writing.  

*Failure to show the blank whiteboard before, or following the exam, will be considered an academic misconduct violation, and will be reported accordingly; a zero will be recorded for the test.

• • iii.  Honesty and Integrity

The profession of nursing has a long-standing reputation as being the most trusted profession in the nation. This reputation stands on the foundation of integrity as nursing professionals hold accountability and responsibility for ensuring their individual competency (knowledge, skill), and continued learning in the profession to ensure safe care delivery. BUT, responsibility for one's knowledge and skill competency is only a part of trust and integrity; nursing professionals have an obligation to do what is right -the moral and ethical obligation of their practice. To cheat in the pursuit of nursing education is in direct opposition to the standards and values of the profession that is being pursued.

In alignment with the professional standards of nursing and in upholding the mission and values of MCCN, it is expected that students adhere to honest, moral and ethical behavior in all matters of academic performance (work) and learning evaluation.  As such, students are expected to uphold standards of academic integrity and honesty in completing coursework and when completing testing.  Learners are expected to adhere to testing standards before, during, and following quizzes, tests and or exams no matter the method of delivery [i.e., campus-based or proctored online testing].

The following identified, but not limited to behaviors are considered cheating and thus are prohibited during testing:

• • • • 1.   Using unapproved resources during testing.

      • 2.   Taking an exam with assistance from others.

      • 3.   Looking at another student’s screen during testing.

      • 4.   Copying, photographing, and/or screen printing any part of the  exam.

      • 5.   Discussing exam questions or answers with others who have not yet taken the test.

As stated in the Student Code of Conduct found in the Catalog-Handbook, cheating is considered a violation of the Academic and Professional Standards policy and students found to have participated in this dishonest behavior will be disciplined accordingly. Students who have been found in violation of the College’s Academic Integrity policies (including, but not limited to plagiarism, cheating, or fabrication will be reported to the Director of Compliance and Safety and may receive sanctions ranging from zero credit for the assessment to full separation from MCCN). 

• • iv.  Academic Misconduct

All identified incidents of academic misconduct will adhere to the following process:

• • • • a.    The instructor will schedule a meeting with the student to discuss the finding

      • b.    The instructor will assign zero credit for the assessment in Canvas as the grade

      • c.     Student(s) will receive a written reprimand, indicating a Zero-Credit Notice from the Director of Compliance and Community Affairs

      • d.    The Director of Compliance and Community Affairs will involve the Academic and Professional Conduct Committee accordingly

*Students facing a second academic integrity violation or egregious first time allegations are subject to dismissal from MCCN through an academic integrity hearing

• D.   Accommodations

Every effort will be made to adhere to all reasonable accommodations requests. Students must communicate their accommodations, in writing, to course faculty                following approval from the Accommodations Coordinator. See the Certification Examination Accommodations policy for additional information regarding examinations needed for certification