I had kind of a cruddy experience today (not seeking sympathy, just want to talk about it)

[NeuResurgens]

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So I missed a test for one of my classes while I was out of town for a week for a conference. I agreed with the professor that I'd take the test upon returning. Today I did some extra practicing in anticipation for taking the test this afternoon. While looking for more material to practice with, I saw that he posted the test and its answer key on the class website. So, being the go-getter I am, I figured he was giving me a different test and went to do the exam given to the other students for concept practice. It wasn't terribly difficult and I felt prepared for the test he'd give me. Great! So I go to his office to get my exam, and he prints it out and hands it to me. Same exact test. So I tell him because I want to do the right thing and it wouldn't be fair for me to know the test beforehand. He is very upset, however, understandably so when I realize where he's coming from. He asks me if I really thought he'd just write a new test just for me, why would I ask to take the test late and then look at the key, etc. I felt pretty stupid. I guess he thought I'd just assume that it was the same test and leave it alone, but from my point of view, everything posted on the website is declassified and is therefore practice material.

Just another illustration that when you're not on the same page with people, the results can be disastrous for everyone involved. Now he has to a.) come up with a new set of questions for me to do, which sucks for him or b.) decide if my mistake was egregious enough to warrant giving me a zero, which sucks for me. Not a fun position for either of us. On another note, it's kind of frustrating to feel like you got burned for doing the right thing, but I suppose that happens often enough in life. Otherwise we wouldn't have people who cheat. I also feel dumb because I'm pretty sure this experience, on his side, is going to make him a lot less amenable to being flexible later on when students miss things, so I'm afraid I've screwed over a whole bunch of future students. I don't feel like it was unreasonable for me to assume something posted online was fair game for study, but I also don't think it was unreasonable for him to give me the same test as everyone else since writing new tests takes a lot of time. There doesn't seem like there's any one thing that can be "blamed," it's just a crappy situation.

Misunderstandings suck, y'all. Anyone else have one of these experiences?

 

[tiedyeddog]

So I missed a test for one of my classes while I was out of town for a week for a conference. I agreed with the professor that I'd take the test upon returning. Today I did some extra practicing in anticipation for taking the test this afternoon. While looking for more material to practice with, I saw that he posted the test and its answer key on the class website. So, being the go-getter I am, I figured he was giving me a different test and went to do the exam given to the other students for concept practice. It wasn't terribly difficult and I felt prepared for the test he'd give me. Great! So I go to his office to get my exam, and he prints it out and hands it to me. Same exact test. So I tell him because I want to do the right thing and it wouldn't be fair for me to know the test beforehand. He is very upset, however, understandably so when I realize where he's coming from. He asks me if I really thought he'd just write a new test just for me, why would I ask to take the test late and then look at the key, etc. I felt pretty stupid. I guess he thought I'd just assume that it was the same test and leave it alone, but from my point of view, everything posted on the website is declassified and is therefore practice material.

Just another illustration that when you're not on the same page with people, the results can be disastrous for everyone involved. Now he has to a.) come up with a new set of questions for me to do, which sucks for him or b.) decide if my mistake was egregious enough to warrant giving me a zero, which sucks for me. Not a fun position for either of us. On another note, it's kind of frustrating to feel like you got burned for doing the right thing, but I suppose that happens often enough in life. Otherwise we wouldn't have people who cheat. I also feel dumb because I'm pretty sure this experience, on his side, is going to make him a lot less amenable to being flexible later on when students miss things, so I'm afraid I've screwed over a whole bunch of future students. I don't feel like it was unreasonable for me to assume something posted online was fair game for study, but I also don't think it was unreasonable for him to give me the same test as everyone else since writing new tests takes a lot of time. There doesn't seem like there's any one thing that can be "blamed," it's just a crappy situation.

Misunderstandings suck, y'all. Anyone else have one of these experiences?

Yeah, that sucks. I would put the blame on the professor. In all of the classes I have had previously either the professor makes all make-up dates before the rest of the class takes it or doesn't give out the key until everyone has taken it.

He at least should have told you he was posting it online and not to look at it. Whatever happens, don't take a zero. You didn't cheat. You told the truth and that should be rewarded, you could have easily taken the test anyway. So what if he has to write new questions? Boo hoo, it is his job. He will get over it.

 

[cactus8910]

It seems like he should've just waited to post the exam and answer key until after you had taken the test. Sounds like an honest (though maybe a bit naive) mistake on your part, and a thoughtless error on the prof's part. I hope it works out okay for you! Who knows, maybe you'll be asking him for a LOR someday and he'll remember you as the student who owned up to having seen the test before, when you could've taken it anyway.

 

[alsab]

I think this is a case where trying to be a good person may have ended up backfiring for you. In the long run, this shows you're a genuinely honest person and will probably make a great doctor, but in this specific instance I think it would have helped to be a bit Machiavellian and just not say anything...

 

[wegotthis14]

Usually, teachers don't post the answer key until all the students complete the test. If they do, they usually make a different version about the test. Don't feel bad about it, and good job for owning up to it. I hope things work out for you.

 

[I'mJustCurious]

Keep us update. Curious to what is he going to do. Hopefully he will write up another exam for you

 

[Tintinnabula]

...is this a professor who is new to teaching?

 

[NeuResurgens]

It seems like he should've just waited to post the exam and answer key until after you had taken the test. Sounds like an honest (though maybe a bit naive) mistake on your part, and a thoughtless error on the prof's part. I hope it works out okay for you! Who knows, maybe you'll be asking him for a LOR someday and he'll remember you as the student who owned up to having seen the test before, when you could've taken it anyway.

I hope so! He was one professor I was considering asking for a LOR since I've done well in his classes, but after this I just thought "great, he's never going to give me one now," haha. I personally think he should have waited to post it if he expected me not to look at it, but he said that's detrimental to students who took it and wanted to see why they were wrong, etc. which I do understand.

 

[NeuResurgens]

...is this a professor who is new to teaching?

Definitely not. I think that's why I assumed he'd just have old exams and question material lying around for me to take.

 

[JPA178]

You did the right thing. Even if he's upset for having to write a new test, it's his own fault for not having one ready to go for students who couldn't make the exam the day it was given - assuming, as it sounds, he will allow alternate test dates per the class syllabus. The answers were made available on a forum that everyone in the class uses regularly. He can't expect to put up the questions/answer key and also expect you to not look at it unless it was made extremely clear at the beginning of the course. Even then, that's still kind of ridiculous.

You avoided a possible institutional action by not cheating! If he has a big problem or is giving you a hard time, take it up with his department chair. I assure you that in the interest of academic honesty, the department will side with you assuming you were following class/department policies to the letter.

 

[ReggieNoble22]

This is on him, anyone with half a brain knows that kids will check for study materials on blackboard or whatever else he uses. Either he totally forgot about you having to take the test later or he was trying to give you an underhand toss of a test lol

 

[Doctor Strange]

You did the right thing; do not ever doubt yourself on that. If this professor gives you a hard time about it and gives you some sort of grade penalty, bring it up with the grievance committee at your school.

 

[NeuResurgens]

You did the right thing. Even if he's upset for having to write a new test, it's his own fault for not having one ready to go for students who couldn't make the exam the day it was given - assuming, as it sounds, he will allow alternate test dates per the class syllabus. The answers were made available on a forum that everyone in the class uses regularly. He can't expect to put up the questions/answer key and also expect you to not look at it unless it was made extremely clear at the beginning of the course. Even then, that's still kind of ridiculous.

You avoided a possible institutional action by not cheating! If he has a big problem or is giving you a hard time, take it up with his department chair. I assure you that in the interest of academic honesty, the department will side with you assuming you were following class/department policies to the letter.

Yeah, I definitely wanted to avoid any kind of cheating, and I've studied and prepared well enough to get a good grade. I think the biggest thing I'm bummed about was that I wanted a LOR from him and now I'm fairly sure he dislikes me. Even though I'm good student and made it upfront that I'm honest, you don't have to like someone to respect what they did, and sometimes dislike for a person can come across in writing even if only "positive" things are said, if that makes sense. I think it wouldn't make a very good letter, so now I'm worried where my third LOR is going to come from.

 

[Tintinnabula]

Definitely not. I think that's why I assumed he'd just have old exams and question material lying around for me to take.

Yeah, then this is on him. It *is* normal for make up tests to be different tests than the rest of the class took. He may not have wanted to write another test but that's just part of the teacher's life, especially when you two agreed beforehand that you'd take it as a make-up. It's just laziness on his part to not have done this and if he decided to not compose a new exam for you he should have clearly laid out the expectations of you.

 

[electrophile1984]

When I have been in a situation where I had to take a makeup test, the professor said I had one of two choices:

If I was going to make it up before people got their tests back/the answer keys were distributed, I would take the test everyone else took.

If I took it after the tests were handed back/answer keys were distributed, he would have written me a new test (he is a very nice man).

This is on your professor - if he wanted you to take the same test as everyone else, he shouldn't have posted the key before you took it.

 

[JPA178]

Yeah, I definitely wanted to avoid any kind of cheating, and I've studied and prepared well enough to get a good grade. I think the biggest thing I'm bummed about was that I wanted a LOR from him and now I'm fairly sure he dislikes me. Even though I'm good student and made it upfront that I'm honest, you don't have to like someone to respect what they did, and sometimes dislike for a person can come across in writing even if only "positive" things are said, if that makes sense. I think it wouldn't make a very good letter, so now I'm worried where my third LOR is going to come from.

That sucks, but he shouldn't hold being honest against you. If you're uncomfortable asking him for a letter, see if you can find another one of your professors to meet with. Even if you didn't ace the class - maybe you struggled initially and made some improvement throughout the semester - that can make for a strong letter. Don't be afraid to go to another professor's office hours and talk with them for a while. You'd be surprised how easy it is to get a good letter if you're personable and the prof knows you're a hard worker. They expect to write LORs as it's part of the job description.

 

[NeuResurgens]

Yeah, then this is on him. It *is* normal for make up tests to be different tests than the rest of the class took. He may not have wanted to write another test but that's just part of the teacher's life, especially when you two agreed beforehand that you'd take it as a make-up. It's just laziness on his part to not have done this and if he decided to not compose a new exam for you he should have clearly laid out the expectations of you.

I do think this could have been avoided if he had said "hey, heads up, I'm posting the test and its answers online for the other students. You will be taking the same test, so DO NOT under any circumstances look at these materials. Your honor is at stake on this." There is no way I would have even glanced at them then.

 

[Tintinnabula]

I do think this could have been avoided if he had said "hey, heads up, I'm posting the test and its answers online for the other students. You will be taking the same test, so DO NOT under any circumstances look at these materials. Your honor is at stake on this."

Yeah, I really wouldn't go heaping too many ashes on your head for this one.

 

[The Helpful Aye Aye]

If this is exactly how it happened then go to the Dean of the college (not the department head), explain the situation, and emphasize that you have anxiety about getting a good letter for medical school. The Dean may offer to write you one as consolation for your cruddy experience (as opposed to the department head who would confront the teacher directly). It won't make up for the fact that you're lacking a science letter, but when it comes time to do your committee letter (assuming your school has one) this character reference will be looked at VERY favorably by your pre-professional office. That's what I would do.

 

[NeuResurgens]

If this is exactly how it happened then go to the Dean of the college (not the department head), explain the situation, and emphasize that you have anxiety about getting a good letter for medical school. The Dean may offer to write you one as consolation for your cruddy experience (as opposed to the department head who would confront the teacher directly). It won't make up for the fact that you're lacking a science letter, but when it comes time to do your committee letter (assuming your school has one) this character reference will be looked at VERY favorably by your pre-professional office. That's what I would do.

We don't have a committee, but a route similar to this one could be useful down the line. Luckily I don't think there will be too many tangible consequences from this, besides the professor thinking I'm dumb, so I should be able to adapt. There are a lot of professors I think I could ask but I liked this guy because I had two classes with him, which I think can help.

 

[The Helpful Aye Aye]

We don't have a committee, but a route similar to this one could be useful down the line. Luckily I don't think there will be too many tangible consequences from this, besides the professor thinking I'm dumb, so I should be able to adapt. There are a lot of professors I think I could ask but I liked this guy because I had two classes with him, which I think can help.

Yeah, and honestly a conversation from the person in charge of academic affairs of the school you're at is never a bad thing. I'd discuss it ASAP though since it just happened.

 

[breakintheroof]

First, like others have said @UNMedGa, it's the professor's fault above all. It's a mistake to post a test that you are shortly going to ask another student to take.

On the other hand, I agree with @cactus8910 that you appear to have acted naively here. Even if you had been correct in assuming that you'd get a different test, when you looked at the posted one, you were still using a study resource that was available only to you. That should have been a hint that looking at the test was stepping into a gray area. Furthermore, when professors make "new" tests, the concepts and even the question stems are likely to be reused, so knowing what was on an alternate test would be particularly beneficial to you. How similar would the test you were given have to be for you to say something to the professor?

I might anticipate concerns like this being raised if you have to discuss this further, so be prepared to address them. I am very glad to see that you were honest as soon as he handed the test to you, as I think this demonstrates that your actions were merely naive. Further honesty will help you make this go away, as it should. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[NeuResurgens]

First, like others have said @UNMedGa, it's the professor's fault above all. It's a mistake to post a test that you are shortly going to ask another student to take.

On the other hand, I agree with @cactus8910 that you appear to have acted naively here. Even if you had been correct in assuming that you'd get a different test, when you looked at the posted one, you were still using a study resource that was available only to you. That should have been a hint that looking at the test was stepping into a gray area. Furthermore, when professors make "new" tests, the concepts and even the question stems are likely to be reused, so knowing what was on an alternate test would be particularly beneficial to you. How similar would the test you were given have to be for you to say something to the professor?

I might anticipate concerns like this being raised if you have to discuss this further, so be prepared to address them. I am very glad to see that you were honest as soon as he handed the test to you, as I think this demonstrates that your actions were merely naive. Further honesty will help you make this go away, as it should. I wish you the best of luck.

Yes, and this is why I can see where he's coming from vs. just thinking it's on him. I think I'm technically smart enough to reason through the fact that this extra study material gives me an advantage, I just didn't think about it at the time because I was in overdrive trying to prepare for the thing, haha.

 

[breakintheroof]

Yes, and this is why I can see where he's coming from vs. just thinking it's on him. I think I'm technically smart enough to reason through the fact that this extra study material gives me an advantage, I just didn't think about it at the time because I was in overdrive trying to prepare for the thing, haha.

We've all been there.

I just want to inject a note of caution with some responses saying you have absolutely nothing to worry about. You do have something answer for here, and you'd best be prepared to respond. Reflect on these events and be honest and I think you'll be fine. (I suggest that this should include an honest commitment to think twice before using study materials that may have been unavailable to others.)

 

[Kelevra]

Your professor's a certified idiot.

 

[NeuResurgens]

We've all been there.

I just want to inject a note of caution with some responses saying you have absolutely nothing to worry about. You do have something answer for here, and you'd best be prepared to respond. Reflect on these events and be honest and I think you'll be fine. (I suggest that this should include an honest commitment to think twice before using study materials that may have been unavailable to others.)

Definitely going to take that last point into consideration from here on out. My explanation for doing what I did is that I study hard for this class and use literally everything posted on the website, including past exams and quizzes as well as book problems, and so I considered the exam study material, assumed that since it was available that I was ok to look at it, and studied it from there. Hopefully this will make it clear that it was just an honest attempt to be prepared and practice the concepts and does not represent an attempt to cheat or game the system in any way.

 

[Goro]

This is exactly what we do when someone misses a test. The Professor screwed up big time, both in not doing the simple thing of delaying the answers, and not telling you what he re-take format would be.

It seems like he should've just waited to post the exam and answer key until after you had taken the test. Sounds like an honest (though maybe a bit naive) mistake on your part, and a thoughtless error on the prof's part. I hope it works out okay for you! Who knows, maybe you'll be asking him for a LOR someday and he'll remember you as the student who owned up to having seen the test before, when you could've taken it anyway.

 

[KillaKitteh]

While the mishap is certainly--for the most part--on the professor's end, if you had had any inkling of a doubt it would have been wise to contact said professor before using the exam key to study. That way you could have at least saved yourself from this mess, rather than assuming your professor had other plans for you. I'm sure you'll be more cautious in the future, and I'm sorry that this is the way you had to learn.

 

[NeuResurgens]

While the mishap is certainly--for the most part--on the professor's end, if you had had any inkling of a doubt it would have been wise to contact said professor before using the exam key to study. That way you could have at least saved yourself from this mess, rather than assuming your professor had other plans for you. I'm sure you'll be more cautious in the future, and I'm sorry that this is the way you had to learn.

Yeah definitely. I really don't know why it didn't occur to me to email him before going ahead and using the one posted online for practice.

So update, he got me another exam to do. It was a bit tougher since it wasn't written specifically for the way he taught the class this semester, but I'm hoping it didn't turn out too badly. I do wish I would have just not used the test everyone else took to practice with because it really was geared more to what we learned this semester vs the last couple times he taught, so it was a lot easier.

 

[NeuroMaster316]

All this could have been avoided if he didn't post the key.... Though even if he hadn't, he should have prepared another test since you could basically ask your friends what questions were on the test. All in all you learned two things:
1- Your professor is a lazy idiot
2- Honesty is NOT the best policy, life is unfair that good deeds get twisted against you.

 

[Toffey]

Whenever someone in my class is unable to take the test, nothing is released (grades, keys, ect) until after the last person has taken it, even if it's many weeks later. It's not your fault, and good for you for being honest 🙂

 

[mimelim]

I'm not sure how forgetting that you made an exception for a student when you post a key (if you personally did it rather than whoever is doing the administrative stuff for you) makes you "lazy" or a "certified idiot". The level of condemnation for a professor who simply made a relatively small mistake is pretty staggering. I mean the guy let OP take the test on a different day to fit his schedule. And everyone gets pissy that he didn't write an entirely new test?

Clearly you guys haven't had to write many tests, or develop a separate answer key. Yes, it is expected that professors will accommodate their students to a certain degree, but writing a completely new exam for him "because it is his job"? Give me a break.

Did the professor make a mistake by having the test/key public? Yes, of course and this wouldn't have been an issue if he didn't. At the same time, it is hard to really think that a separate exam would be made for a single student. Likelyhood of a professor making a mistake is much much higher than that they would take the time to craft a new exam/key for a single student. If half the class had to take it on a different day, that would be a different story, but while you certainly didn't do anything wrong, this is hardly unpredictable. As such, in no way should you get in trouble for this from an academic dishonesty perspective, but this mess is hardly blamable on a single person.

 

[Psai]

it was pretty silly for you to decide that it was ok to take the test as practice but it's on the teacher for posting it in the first place.

 

[Gurby]

I'm not sure how forgetting that you made an exception for a student when you post a key (if you personally did it rather than whoever is doing the administrative stuff for you) makes you "lazy" or a "certified idiot". The level of condemnation for a professor who simply made a relatively small mistake is pretty staggering. I mean the guy let OP take the test on a different day to fit his schedule. And everyone gets pissy that he didn't write an entirely new test?

Clearly you guys haven't had to write many tests, or develop a separate answer key. Yes, it is expected that professors will accommodate their students to a certain degree, but writing a completely new exam for him "because it is his job"? Give me a break.

Did the professor make a mistake by having the test/key public? Yes, of course and this wouldn't have been an issue if he didn't. At the same time, it is hard to really think that a separate exam would be made for a single student. Likelyhood of a professor making a mistake is much much higher than that they would take the time to craft a new exam/key for a single student. If half the class had to take it on a different day, that would be a different story, but while you certainly didn't do anything wrong, this is hardly unpredictable. As such, in no way should you get in trouble for this from an academic dishonesty perspective, but this mess is hardly blamable on a single person.

I wouldn't know how to approach this situation if it was posed to me as an interview question.

Say we find the test online, take it thinking it was a practice test, and then find out it's the actual test. Obviously we should avoid this situation in the first place by just not looking at the test even after finding it... But for the sake of argument let's assume we did by accident. Do we tell the professor, or just get a few wrong on purpose to keep it from being obvious?

In this scenario, both the teacher and student have made a mistake. The path of least resistance is to keep quiet and take the easy A. The honest and "right thing to do" is to tell him which is going to cause a lot of headaches, possibly get us into trouble, and most likely have no impact on our grade in the end because we were well prepared for the test anyways.

If I was an interviewer, I'd have a hard time believing someone who said they would tell the professor they had already taken the test. At the same time, doing anything else is cheating. Honesty and being able to admit mistakes seem to be extremely important traits for medical training - if you make a mistake and then cover it up, patients' lives could be affected. You could use the logic I gave above and cover up something because "it would cause headaches and probably not affect anything anyways", but as a medical student or resident, maybe you don't really know what the effects could be.

On the other hand, you can't rigidly follow the letter of the law in medicine. As an EMT, I've been in many situations where a policy/protocol/law told me to do something that could potentially be detrimental to a patient's health, or some company policy conflicted with a law and I had to choose between breaking the law or losing my job, etc. At least as an EMT, you're constantly navigating gray areas where the "right" course of action is not the best one (or even a good one). In this scenario, the "right" choice is to tell the professor... But what good could ever come of that? And what bad ever comes of us just taking the test?

Am I way off base here? It feels like it must be wrong to say "yep, I would cheat" at a med school interview.

 

[mimelim]

I wouldn't know how to approach this situation if it was posed to me as an interview question.

Say we find the test online, take it thinking it was a practice test, and then find out it's the actual test. Obviously we should avoid this situation in the first place by just not looking at the test even after finding it... But for the sake of argument let's assume we did by accident. Do we tell the professor, or just get a few wrong on purpose to keep it from being obvious?

In this scenario, both the teacher and student have made a mistake. The path of least resistance is to keep quiet and take the easy A. The honest and "right thing to do" is to tell him which is going to cause a lot of headaches, possibly get us into trouble, and most likely have no impact on our grade in the end because we were well prepared for the test anyways.

If I was an interviewer, I'd have a hard time believing someone who said they would tell the professor they had already taken the test. At the same time, doing anything else is cheating. Honesty and being able to admit mistakes seem to be extremely important traits for medical training - if you make a mistake and then cover it up, patients' lives could be affected. You could use the logic I gave above and cover up something because "it would cause headaches and probably not affect anything anyways", but as a medical student or resident, maybe you don't really know what the effects could be.

On the other hand, you can't rigidly follow the letter of the law in medicine. As an EMT, I've been in many situations where a policy/protocol/law told me to do something that could potentially be detrimental to a patient's health, or some company policy conflicted with a law and I had to choose between breaking the law or losing my job, etc. At least as an EMT, you're constantly navigating gray areas where the "right" course of action is not the best one (or even a good one). In this scenario, the "right" choice is to tell the professor... But what good could ever come of that? And what bad ever comes of us just taking the test?

Am I way off base here? It feels like it must be wrong to say "yep, I would cheat" at a med school interview.

The correct answer, both in real life and if someone asked you this kind of thing in an interview is to come clean about it. It is the right thing to do and I don't think that anyone would really dispute that. Also, while grey areas certainly exist in medicine, the simple adage of 'doing right by the patient' covers the vast majority of what people do and honestly I haven't seen it really conflict with the law, but that is just my experience.

My biggest issue was with people piling on a professor that they think should be infallible, should cater to students and create separate exams for them and students not take responsibility (at least some) for things that happen. Academic entitlement etc.​

 

[Gurby]

The correct answer, both in real life and if someone asked you this kind of thing in an interview is to come clean about it. It is the right thing to do and I don't think that anyone would really dispute that. Also, while grey areas certainly exist in medicine, the simple adage of 'doing right by the patient' covers the vast majority of what people do and honestly I haven't seen it really conflict with the law, but that is just my experience.

My biggest issue was with people piling on a professor that they think should be infallible, should cater to students and create separate exams for them and students not take responsibility (at least some) for things that happen. Academic entitlement etc.​

Sounds good to me - thanks!

 

[NeuResurgens]

I'm not sure how forgetting that you made an exception for a student when you post a key (if you personally did it rather than whoever is doing the administrative stuff for you) makes you "lazy" or a "certified idiot". The level of condemnation for a professor who simply made a relatively small mistake is pretty staggering. I mean the guy let OP take the test on a different day to fit his schedule. And everyone gets pissy that he didn't write an entirely new test?

Clearly you guys haven't had to write many tests, or develop a separate answer key. Yes, it is expected that professors will accommodate their students to a certain degree, but writing a completely new exam for him "because it is his job"? Give me a break.

Did the professor make a mistake by having the test/key public? Yes, of course and this wouldn't have been an issue if he didn't. At the same time, it is hard to really think that a separate exam would be made for a single student. Likelyhood of a professor making a mistake is much much higher than that they would take the time to craft a new exam/key for a single student. If half the class had to take it on a different day, that would be a different story, but while you certainly didn't do anything wrong, this is hardly unpredictable. As such, in no way should you get in trouble for this from an academic dishonesty perspective, but this mess is hardly blamable on a single person.

Yep, and I don't really fault him for it as I've said. I could have just as easily assumed I probably shouldnt look at it but I was just really determined to be prepared and practice as much as possible, so that part of it is on me.

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Hmm maybe I see it differently but the fact that you used the other test as a study material, even if you expected a slightly different version, already moved you out of the moral/ethical high ground. Your actions could already have been considered dishonest in my opinion. He messed up as well, but just because you admitted to studying the answer key doesn't excuse the fact that you used your later test date as an unfair advantage to get a better grade.

I don't know if your test is curved, but imagine if your professor had given you a different test, how would your classmates feel if they knew you basically had an entire extra practice test to study from that they did not have? I am saying this only because if you choose to escalate this issue with the prof or the dean, I feel like this is a point you may have to defend.


EDIT: oh well I just saw your update, nevermind!

 

[caffeinemia]

The correct answer, both in real life and if someone asked you this kind of thing in an interview is to come clean about it. It is the right thing to do and I don't think that anyone would really dispute that. Also, while grey areas certainly exist in medicine, the simple adage of 'doing right by the patient' covers the vast majority of what people do and honestly I haven't seen it really conflict with the law, but that is just my experience.

My biggest issue was with people piling on a professor that they think should be infallible, should cater to students and create separate exams for them and students not take responsibility (at least some) for things that happen. Academic entitlement etc.​

This is funny. I don't think SDN has ever had an M&M before. The concept is that bad things happen and talking about it from a systems perspective with the parties involved might help things get better later on. Shoveling blame around doesn't do anything, honestly.

Bravo to OP for an ethical decision when an unethical one would have been far easier and more advantageous.

 

[Tintinnabula]

are you serious? its his fault he posted the exam and key. you shouldn't have said anything. trying to be the "good guy" was a bad idea in this situation.

As OP has acknowledged, that was a poor decision on his part that they tried to correct later when discussing it with their prof. If you can't maintain personal integrity on an undergrad level....

 

[Tintinnabula]

My biggest issue was with people piling on a professor that they think should be infallible, should cater to students and create separate exams for them and students not take responsibility (at least some) for things that happen. Academic entitlement etc.​

FWIW, I've been on both sides of this issue and will continue to conditionally disagree with you on this pending further discussion. When a student came to me ahead of time with an excused absence regarding an exam I automatically accepted that I would be writing a second exam for that student. My colleagues did the same (I've mentioned here that I've been a TA but I'm a nontraditional with a backstory, so I'm not using "colleagues" out of turn). So did every professor I had as an undergrad and my undergrad classes were taken at both private and state schools. It's time consuming, yes, but I feel it's part of the terms of the job; it's also a whole lot easier today to accomplish with less effort while maintaining reasonable testing rigor and integrity. You mention that often ethical issues posed in med school are answered when you ask the question "what would be best for the patient?" By the same token, I have engaged in a very rough parallel of that consideration when it comes to students in issues like this. I feel it is most ethical to compose separate exams in these situations because it maintains standards for the course, which benefits the student(s), and through that the department and/or institution. I should note that I would also not post the key and test till after the student took it; to counterbalance the effect on other students, I make myself available to discuss their grade and go over things outside of class.

I say conditionally above because it may be that this is a regional experience that, I'll point out, a number of students commenting here seem to have. I haven't looked to see where they might say they are. I'm in the South. Also, it could be that lazy was too harsh, but my other options are overwhelmed and sniping the student about it, or forgetful and sniping the student about it and I'm not sure that's kinder. Life happens to teachers as much as students and some mercy is owed there - but I have never sniped at a student for mistakes of my own originating. OP owned up to their contribution in the original post and seemed to understand that their actions contributed so I didn't really feel the need to comment on that. I can see how you'd think I was saying it was all on the prof but I'd like to be clear that I don't think that's the case.

I hope your day/shift/evening goes well.

 

[NeuResurgens]

I'll give another update when I get the score back for the alternate. Like I said, I felt like I was less prepared for this one since it was recycled from years ago, so it might actually affect my grade, although I think it's unlikely to to mean a full letter grade difference. Might land me an A- instead of an A, which sucks because I put in the effort for an A, but I'm not blameless in this, so I will do my best and take what I'm given.

 

[NeuResurgens]

Welp, got a 79% on that test. I average in the 90s on his other tests. I'm a little bit upset because unless I ace the final this is going to end up lowering my final letter grade.

Any ideas how I can turn this into a butt-kicking secondary essay/ideas as to what sorts of prompts this might be good for?