Using Testbanks

[DrStraggler]

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I think two issues are getting confused here. First, is the perception that the OP is trying to blame others for his performance. The second is a general consensus that the OP is wrong to be upset that others are cheating, that it's wrong for the OP to point out that others are cheating unless he's never done anything wrong in his life, and that most people on SDN will apparently do anything it takes to get ahead in the pre-med rat race, ethics be damned.

To the first point, nobody here can possibly profess to know what the OP is thinking. Trying to claim that he is blaming others for his performance in the class when he claims he's not seems silly.

To the other points, I'm glad that the OP is upset that others are cheating. He should be, as should we all. I'm glad that he values his own integrity and refuses to participate in dishonest behavior. We should all aspire to do likewise. I don't know where to start with the suggestion that the OP can't complain unless he's perfect. That's just flat out wrong-headed. I'm not perfect--does that mean I can't point out that people who plagiarize/pay others to write their papers are cheaters who deserve to be unceremoniously cashiered out of their university?

Frankly, I'm appalled that we seem to have gotten to the point where we defend the cheaters (after all, they're simply using the resources available to them!), but condemn those who point out others who aren't playing by the rules. That is seriously screwed up.

All the OP is doing is pointing out that he was put at a disadvantage by choosing to play by the rules, and was harmed by people who knowingly broke them. In life, we all have to learn that there are a large number of people walking around who will gladly break the rules to get ahead, and that we'll be hurt because of it. It sounds like the OP is learning that lesson here. Yes, it's a fact of life that he'll have to come to grips with. Be that as it may, I'm pretty sure flogging him over the internet isn't going to help him.

Honestly, thank you for this. Probably the best stated post on this thread. It's going to be a hard pill to swallow, but I guess I'll have to deal with it.

 

[listentoadvice]

I retract my previous statement about the OP not working hard enough. If the other students are in fact purchasing materials that are not supposed to be available to them then that is in fact cheating and I don't condone that. The OP's original message confused me since he/she made it sound like other students were using commercially available testbanks to supplement their knowledge while the OP didn't want to put in the time to use them.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

After the course ended, I was so frustrated because I knew of so many students bragging about their performance when they had literally done no studying, that I just had to meet with him.

I met with my professor, and he clearly told me that he knew test banks existed, and that if he found a student with them, they'd be taken to honor court, but that it was impossible for him to track down so many students who used test banks in their dorm rooms or at home.

When I advised him to construct his own tests, he said that he has a lot of research that he has to focus his time on and that a general entry course should not be hard to master. He then went on to say that making personalized tests would take too much time and money away from the University, and that I should get used to this system.

I figured. Rule #1 of school: Teachers are lazy. Count on it.

His response is just stupid because he could easily figure out whose using the bank. Make 50% of the test bank questions and 50% unique questions. The kids who fail and only get the bank questions right are obviously using them. Bring them in and watch them **** their pants when you ask them why they only got the questions right that are pulled from restricted test banks. The end.

No joke, he's basically forcing you to use the test banks if everyone else is and he refuses to change the test. Keep this in mind in the future and just use them ahead of time because I feel like this is the response you'll get from all the professors too lazy to make their own tests.

 

[Dreamer29]

I can certainly understand your frustration, OP. I think what's important is to keep your eye on the bigger prize, which is to get into medical school and become an awesome physician. You studied without the test banks, and that will pay off in the future (when you take your MCAT). But as people have already stated in this thread, don't worry about the other people who cheated. It seems to me like this issue ultimately stems from your professor's own ineptitude as a professor. I wouldn't bother pursuing this any further, because it seems to be heavily tied in with copyright/legal issues.

 

[jay2324]

Honestly, thank you for this. Probably the best stated post on this thread. It's going to be a hard pill to swallow, but I guess I'll have to deal with it.

Op let me tell you something because I'm in the same situation as you....

don't use the test banks.... Use your brain. Study efficiently and if thats not enough so be it because i promise you, once the mcat comes around, those kids who relied on the test banks won't be ready for the MCAT. Thats probably one of the reasons it was put in place to begin with, it separates those that learned and those that crammed/cheated.

 

[ericjones2012]

Don't use test banks unless you just want the degree not the knowledge