Comparison of Scores on Regularly Scheduled Examinations and Makeup Examinations

Abstract

Two studies investigated students' performance on makeup examinations. In Study 1, 70 of 520 students used a comprehensive makeup, and in Study 2, 103 of 220 students used an hour makeup to replace missed regularly scheduled examinations. Students scored significantly higher on regularly scheduled than on either examination. Further, students who did not miss an examination earned higher total scores than students who did. Finally, more students took the hour makeup than comprehensive makeup examination. It is suggested that (a) these findings be included in instructors' manuals for introductory psychology textbooks, (b) instructors inform students about the makeup-examination scores at the beginning of a term, and (c) instructors use this information to decide on what format of makeup examination to use.