Guide to Exam Databases
Most high schools in the Philippines are in need of resources for
students. The library, a computer laboratory and the science laboratory
are staples for most schools. To take things further, what about a
computer network with an exam database?
Four times a year, students go through quarterly examinations. In
private high schools and universities here and abroad, the students are
equipped with so much more to make their studying for exams easier and
more effective.
In the University of Auckland in New Zealand, for
example, there is a wireless computer network for staff and students.
Net IDs are also given for staff and students that can be used to log
in and access the LEARN library, which is connected to an array of
powerful databases that can summon the full text of journal articles
with just a click of the mouse.
There is also access to databases that include ABI/Inform (half the
text of 1,400 journals and magazines), Emerald (full text of 100
journals), Newztext (full range of newspapers and magazines) and Index
New Zealand (for journals and conferences).
But what is perhaps the most useful to students in the University of
Auckland is their exam paper database. In the LEARN library, this
translates to a compilation of past exams from 2000 to present. All the
student has to do is log in with their Net IDs and search for their
subjects using the Programme code.
To see what this database looks like, click here. An Examination Location Map
can also be downloaded for the use of any student or staff online. The
examination papers are in PDF format. They don’t contain the answers,
but can help a student immensely as to expecting the types of questions
to be asked in his or her exam.
Similarly, Chicago-Kent Law School also has a
database of sample exams numbering to about 600 from recent years.
These PDF files are sample exams released by professors for the purpose
of student review. But instead of Programme codes, Chicago-Kent faculty
and students have to log in, and use pull-down menus to search for
exams, which are categorized according to Instructor, Course and
Term/Year.
The National University of Singapore, on the other
hand, input examination papers that come from the Registrar’s Office
into the EXAM database. It gets updated whenever the library receives
new examination papers from the Registrar’s Office.
For students to access this portal, they go to http://lib.nus.edu.sg/
and log in. Under the Exam Papers/RBR, they type in the Module code in
the search box. Search options for module name, faculty and year of
examination are also available.
These three universities have taken the extra mile in using
Information and Communication Technology to the benefit of their
students. The concept of reviewing for examinations can be akin to
reviewing for the Board Exams in law or other licensure exams. Students
get drilled on the questions that might come up, proving the genius
behind exam databases quite effective.
Sources:
“Access.” Retrieved April 5, 2009 from
http://examdb.auckland.ac.nz/
“How to search exam papers.” Retrieved April 5, 2009 from
http://libpweb1.nus.edu.sg/lion/d/exam.html
“Law School Exam Database.” Retrieved April 5, 2009 from
http://library.kentlaw.edu/eresources/exams.htm
“Student Resources.” Retrieved April 5, 2009 from
http://www.gse.auckland.ac.nz/13563.html
(Published 13 April 2009, Smart Communications, Inc.)
