Students in this course may choose to complete a final, cumulative oral exam in place of all other graded coursework (exams, assignments, quizzes). This option is designed to assess understanding of course concepts through explanation and reasoning rather than written work. To be absolutely clear, the oral exam is intended to be equivalent to standard assessment, not an easier version of it.
Choosing the oral exam is optional, but it must be decided prior to sitting for the first exam and it cannot be changed once the first exam has passed.
Students who prefer traditional grading may continue with the standard course assessments. This being said, I highly encourage all students, regardless of your decision, to continue to study and prepare for the standard assessments as normal.
The oral exam is a structured, individual assessment focused on your understanding of the core ideas of the course. It is not a debate, performance, or test of confidence.
You may ask for clarification, pause to think, or revise an answer during the exam.
The exam covers the central learning objectives of the course, not every example or technical detail.
You may be asked to:
The exam will not require:
Your exam is evaluated using a standardized rubric. Grades are based on the substance of your responses, not confidence, presentation style, or speed of speech.
Evaluation criteria include:
Conceptual Understanding
Accuracy and depth of understanding of core concepts.
Reasoning & Connections
Ability to explain why ideas work and relate concepts to one
another.
Communication & Precision
Clarity of explanation and appropriate use of course
terminology.
Responsiveness to Feedback
Ability to refine or improve responses when prompted.
Follow-up questions are used to clarify reasoning and allow improvement; a partially correct answer can often be strengthened through explanation.
Possible grades include A, B, C, or F. I’m inclined to avoid +/- grading, but reserve the right to modify the letter grade based on either oral exam performance or your cumulative performance on the standard assessments (e.g., a B on the oral exam, accompanied by excellent attendance, participation, and performance on written exam can be grounds for a B+)
An example rubric is given at the end of this document.
To ensure consistency and fairness:
Oral exams may be audio recorded for grading verification purposes and are used only in the event of a grade question.
If you believe your oral exam was graded incorrectly, you may request a review. Reviews are based on:
Grade changes are made based on rubric evidence, not overall impressions or comparisons to other students.
The oral exam is a high-responsibility option that works best for students who are comfortable explaining ideas aloud and engaging in conceptual discussion.
If you are unsure which assessment format is right for you, please speak with the instructor before deciding.
Your oral exam will be evaluated using something like the criteria below. Performance is assessed based on the substance of your responses rather than confidence, speaking style, or speed. Each of these criteria may be evaluated holistically or associated with individual topics (e.g., testing conceptual understanding on t-tests, distinct from conceptual understanding on ANOVA).
Strong
Demonstrates accurate and flexible understanding of core concepts;
explanations reflect clear comprehension.
Adequate
Demonstrates basic understanding with minor imprecision or small
gaps.
Needs Improvement
Shows significant misunderstandings or relies on memorized language
without understanding.
Strong
Clearly explains why ideas work, connects concepts across the
course, and applies ideas to new situations.
Adequate
Follows standard reasoning but struggles to generalize or make
connections.
Needs Improvement
Reasoning is incomplete, unsupported, or inconsistent.
Strong
Communicates ideas clearly and uses course terminology
accurately.
Adequate
Ideas are understandable but occasionally vague or imprecise.
Needs Improvement
Explanations are difficult to follow or consistently imprecise.
Strong
Effectively refines or corrects responses in response to follow-up
questions.
Adequate
Makes limited improvements when prompted.
Needs Improvement
Does not meaningfully engage with clarification or correction.