If you are a student that “knows” that his/her teacher usually has more True-False “questions” that are True (perhaps because certain experts say that that is what you should do), … and because of this you choose to answer “True” for every question (to make sure that you get more than half right), that may be Altruism by Ernie’s definition but is not true Altruism because you would not doing it out of concern for others but for yourself.
It works similar to the crossword philosophy that, if one writes in the first answer that comes to mind, one is more often than not correct or at least on the right track. But that’s based on a literate and widely read reader.
Same for T/F and MC tests. If one has studied the material or at least browsed it, one might be more likely to intuit the correct response.
And, as to the term altrusim, it appears that the covid pandemic has generated altruistic efforts by some who are no better off than the majority, but who have made helping others their goal.
Sometimes great tragedy brings out humanity’s best side.
I knew a teacher who complained to one of his adult education classes, that had just failed another weekly test, they were so stupid they could not pass a test even if they were to have the questions and the answers. He told them to take home the questions and answers and study over the weekend. “Do not just memorize the a b c d on the Scantron.” He rewrote the test with every answer A. All the students failed. He told them to go home and study again. He rewrote the test again as true and false with all answers true.They all failed again. This clearly demonstrated to scholl administration that the problem with that class was not the teacher.
If you’re talking test-taking strategy, the best approach is to go thru reasonably fast answering all the ones you’re sure about, then go back and spend some more time puzzling out the others, but be sure you’ve marked something down for every question before time expires. You’ve got a 25% of just guessing right on those, but if you leave them blank, your chances drop to 0%.
Doug K about 2 years ago
If you are a student that “knows” that his/her teacher usually has more True-False “questions” that are True (perhaps because certain experts say that that is what you should do), … and because of this you choose to answer “True” for every question (to make sure that you get more than half right), that may be Altruism by Ernie’s definition but is not true Altruism because you would not doing it out of concern for others but for yourself.
sandpiper about 2 years ago
It works similar to the crossword philosophy that, if one writes in the first answer that comes to mind, one is more often than not correct or at least on the right track. But that’s based on a literate and widely read reader.
Same for T/F and MC tests. If one has studied the material or at least browsed it, one might be more likely to intuit the correct response.
And, as to the term altrusim, it appears that the covid pandemic has generated altruistic efforts by some who are no better off than the majority, but who have made helping others their goal.
Sometimes great tragedy brings out humanity’s best side.
uniquename about 2 years ago
Not a bad strategy for life, however.
Lee26 Premium Member about 2 years ago
Sorry, but I was totally disinterested in this comic and don’t care who cares. Al T.
InTraining about 2 years ago
Dr. Ernie needs a hearing aid or two….!
scottbruce about 2 years ago
Faslify care.
j4m35 about 2 years ago
I knew a teacher who complained to one of his adult education classes, that had just failed another weekly test, they were so stupid they could not pass a test even if they were to have the questions and the answers. He told them to take home the questions and answers and study over the weekend. “Do not just memorize the a b c d on the Scantron.” He rewrote the test with every answer A. All the students failed. He told them to go home and study again. He rewrote the test again as true and false with all answers true.They all failed again. This clearly demonstrated to scholl administration that the problem with that class was not the teacher.
StephenHoyt about 2 years ago
Espicially if you need to get over 50% of them right to pass.
KEA about 2 years ago
I gave a quiz once where all the answers were true, just to see what would happen… ended up with a room full of irate students.
Richard S Russell Premium Member about 2 years ago
If you’re talking test-taking strategy, the best approach is to go thru reasonably fast answering all the ones you’re sure about, then go back and spend some more time puzzling out the others, but be sure you’ve marked something down for every question before time expires. You’ve got a 25% of just guessing right on those, but if you leave them blank, your chances drop to 0%.
MCProfessor about 2 years ago
It’ll get you a 50%. That’s why I graded True/False tests with a minimum 70% pass score.