Information About the Common Final

**If you haven't looked at the blog recently, please be sure to look at the past few posts, which have important information for the final weeks of class...**

As you know, you will have the Common Final on Monday, Dec. 11 at 8 am. I will discuss it with you at length in class this week, but to back it up, here is that information in writing.

1. The location will be announced during our last class session.

2. The reading for the Common Final will be distributed during our last class. It is essential that you are in class, as I cannot email the reading to you--you must be there to get an actual copy.

3. The prompt will be given at the exam itself.

4. We will have a practice exam on Tuesday, 12/4, and you will get tips (based on the practice exams) in our last class.

5. If you have a (legit) conflict with the time, please speak with me IMMEDIATELY. You must set up the alternate time in ADVANCE--students must bring proof of the conflict to the Office and they can take the exam at the Alternate time. Students who miss the exam for other reasons (e.g. they sleep in) cannot take it at the Alternate time and will lose that part of the grade.

6. You must bring the following to the exam:
*the readings
*blue book(s)
*pen(s)
*a photo ID (do NOT forget this one!)

7. If a student has a disability (and therefore needs extra time or has some other special needs, he/she must be registered with the DSP office to get special requests. Have the student get a copy of a letter from the DSP (this is standard procedure) and then get that letter to the office which will handle the arrangements. REQUESTS SHOULD BE MADE ASAP AS LAST MINUTE REQUESTS MAY NOT BE HONORED.

8. Students can use a dictionary and Hacker; however, they cannot use electronic dictionaries as it's too hard to keep track of what else might be in the memory of such devices.

AND HERE ARE SOME MORE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...

Q: Are they encouraged to write a draft first, and then revise for their
final copy?

A: They are certainly welcome to do that if they can manage their time.
Students are welcome to have study groups, to write on the readings, to
read them over and over.

REMINDER: Students will get the prompt for the exam at the exam itself.
They should NOT try to pre-write the exam.

Q: Is there a length requirement for the essay?

A: There is no requirement.

Q: Do they have to use the full two hours?

A: They do not have to use the full 2 hours.