New Limits for Anatomy, Physiology Assessment Tests

Students taking Human Anatomy (BIOL 2304/2101) and Human Physiology (BIOL 2305/2102) assessment tests should be aware of new rules that affect them.

Beginning Monday, April 25, there is a seven-day waiting period before students can retest if they fall below the anatomy or physiology cutoff score.

Also, beginning May 16 there is a new limit of three test attempts per semester.

The rules address the growing demand for anatomy and physiology classes, says Dr. Kathleen Christensen, vice president of student support and success systems.

“The volume has grown tremendously, with more than 7,000 tests administered last year alone,” she says. “These changes will relieve some of the pressure on staff and ensure fair access to all students who wish to take the assessments.”

Anatomy and physiology classes require a high-school-level knowledge of biology and chemistry. The assessments test students’ current knowledge in these subjects. A minimum score of 70 is required to register in the class.

The Biology Department provides resources to help students improve their success on the exams and in the courses. Visit the department’s website to access free online practice modules and learn about credit and noncredit refresher classes.

15 Responses to "New Limits for Anatomy, Physiology Assessment Tests"

By RENEE April 22, 2011 - 7:31 pm

WOW..What a way to shoot down education,, I guess they are getting like the rest of the state.

By Rachel April 25, 2011 - 8:41 am

This is getting to be ridiculous!!!

By Suzy April 25, 2011 - 12:47 pm

Students allowed to take the test multiple times without limit were simply memorizing the test questions. They were not really learning the concepts, so were not truly prepared for Physiology.

By olivia April 26, 2011 - 11:04 am

i don’t think the new quidelines are fair at all, they shouldn’t limit the test amonuts to lower students into the program, they should hire more teachers since there is HUGE shortage in the health field

By Suzy April 26, 2011 - 10:07 pm

This is a very difficult course. Students that cannot do the work to pass the assessment will most likely not do well.

By Les Albin April 27, 2011 - 11:26 am

What is ridiculous is that students were ever allowed to retest an indefinite number of times in a short time period. Students who are unable to pass the assessment or unwilling to review the information they are supposed to know, definitely have no place in any healthcare field taking care of patients.

By Maria April 27, 2011 - 1:00 pm

The test don’t fully cover all that is taught in A&P. Most of the things I was tested on weren’t ever mentioned in A&P. Let’s keep it real. These new limitations are only going to deter students from the health field.Oh yeah, the staff shortage is ridiculous.

By Suzy April 27, 2011 - 2:49 pm

I teach the course, so I guess I should knnow. Maybe we should poll my current students and see how much cellular and molecular/chemistry they need to know?

By Sam April 28, 2011 - 6:24 am

I took both the anatomy and physiology assessment tests… I spent less than one week studying, I made Bs on both tests. It was already learned in high school, just review it. It’s not shooting down education, it’s weeding out people, so the ones who really want to take the course can. If you want to take it, study and pass the assessment.

By Maria April 28, 2011 - 8:28 am

I would say the majority of people taking Anatomy & Physiology are not coming from a high school environment where Biology is still fresh in their minds. I have found that if you can pass the assessments test easily, you’ll have no trouble with the classes either, why would you? You’re being tested on material that you’ll be taught in class!

In lieu of an assessment maybe it can be waived with successful completion of previous biology class or an A&P class. I figured it would be a matter of time before they put a limit on this testing and I was right.

By robert April 29, 2011 - 10:59 pm

I would agree that most students arnt coming straight for high school. Most are older students really wanting to make a difference in their life and others. i took the test a few days ago and it is so difficult. I am afraid my new life path isnt going to happen now. Passion doesnt matter though !

By robert April 29, 2011 - 11:05 pm

Also to address Sams comment! Just because you dont pass it right away or grasp all of the information as quickly as you did is not a fair comment. I truly want to pass and I do study very hard as many older students returning to school are trying to do. So its not fair to say that if you dont pass it in one try you dont really want it!! everyone keep trying as hard as you can!!

By ACW May 2, 2011 - 11:56 am

http://www.austincc.edu/biology/

http://www.austincc.edu/biology/humanind.html

It’s very hard to find the information you are needing because its not a user friendly website.

By Daniela May 2, 2011 - 8:49 pm

It should have been this way from the very beginning. Why should I be allowed to retest 100 times? That was ridiculous to begin with! I am happy the change has been made.

Education and getting in to a College in general has become far to ”simple”, and what I mean by this is that, a lot of people out there expect to get an A only by showing up! Well, what about some hard work and actually taking studying seriously? If one passes the test that is great, if not…do something else. I would not want a nurse that had to retest Anatomy and Physio (which is absolutely basic knowledge!!) “x” times!Would you?

By ME May 4, 2011 - 10:23 pm

TOOK THE TEST TODAY, NONE OF THE INFO THAT IS ON THE PHYSIOLOGY ASSESMENT IS ON THE TEST, SEEMS LIKE WE ARE BEING SET UP TO FAIL, IF YOU JUST WANT TO WEED OUT STUDENTS JUST SAY SO, OR HIRE MORE STAFF.

By RENEE April 22, 2011 - 7:31 pm

WOW..What a way to shoot down education,, I guess they are getting like the rest of the state.
By Rachel April 25, 2011 - 8:41 am

This is getting to be ridiculous!!!
By Suzy April 25, 2011 - 12:47 pm

Students allowed to take the test multiple times without limit were simply memorizing the test questions. They were not really learning the concepts, so were not truly prepared for Physiology.
By olivia April 26, 2011 - 11:04 am

i don’t think the new quidelines are fair at all, they shouldn’t limit the test amonuts to lower students into the program, they should hire more teachers since there is HUGE shortage in the health field
By Suzy April 26, 2011 - 10:07 pm

This is a very difficult course. Students that cannot do the work to pass the assessment will most likely not do well.
By Les Albin April 27, 2011 - 11:26 am

What is ridiculous is that students were ever allowed to retest an indefinite number of times in a short time period. Students who are unable to pass the assessment or unwilling to review the information they are supposed to know, definitely have no place in any healthcare field taking care of patients.
By Maria April 27, 2011 - 1:00 pm

The test don’t fully cover all that is taught in A&P. Most of the things I was tested on weren’t ever mentioned in A&P. Let’s keep it real. These new limitations are only going to deter students from the health field.Oh yeah, the staff shortage is ridiculous.
By Suzy April 27, 2011 - 2:49 pm

I teach the course, so I guess I should knnow. Maybe we should poll my current students and see how much cellular and molecular/chemistry they need to know?
By Sam April 28, 2011 - 6:24 am

I took both the anatomy and physiology assessment tests… I spent less than one week studying, I made Bs on both tests. It was already learned in high school, just review it. It’s not shooting down education, it’s weeding out people, so the ones who really want to take the course can. If you want to take it, study and pass the assessment.
By Maria April 28, 2011 - 8:28 am

I would say the majority of people taking Anatomy & Physiology are not coming from a high school environment where Biology is still fresh in their minds. I have found that if you can pass the assessments test easily, you’ll have no trouble with the classes either, why would you? You’re being tested on material that you’ll be taught in class!

In lieu of an assessment maybe it can be waived with successful completion of previous biology class or an A&P class. I figured it would be a matter of time before they put a limit on this testing and I was right.
By robert April 29, 2011 - 10:59 pm

I would agree that most students arnt coming straight for high school. Most are older students really wanting to make a difference in their life and others. i took the test a few days ago and it is so difficult. I am afraid my new life path isnt going to happen now. Passion doesnt matter though !
By robert April 29, 2011 - 11:05 pm

Also to address Sams comment! Just because you dont pass it right away or grasp all of the information as quickly as you did is not a fair comment. I truly want to pass and I do study very hard as many older students returning to school are trying to do. So its not fair to say that if you dont pass it in one try you dont really want it!! everyone keep trying as hard as you can!!
By ACW May 2, 2011 - 11:56 am

http://www.austincc.edu/biology/

http://www.austincc.edu/biology/humanind.html

It’s very hard to find the information you are needing because its not a user friendly website.
By Daniela May 2, 2011 - 8:49 pm

It should have been this way from the very beginning. Why should I be allowed to retest 100 times? That was ridiculous to begin with! I am happy the change has been made.

Education and getting in to a College in general has become far to ”simple”, and what I mean by this is that, a lot of people out there expect to get an A only by showing up! Well, what about some hard work and actually taking studying seriously? If one passes the test that is great, if not…do something else. I would not want a nurse that had to retest Anatomy and Physio (which is absolutely basic knowledge!!) “x” times!Would you?
By ME May 4, 2011 - 10:23 pm

TOOK THE TEST TODAY, NONE OF THE INFO THAT IS ON THE PHYSIOLOGY ASSESMENT IS ON THE TEST, SEEMS LIKE WE ARE BEING SET UP TO FAIL, IF YOU JUST WANT TO WEED OUT STUDENTS JUST SAY SO, OR HIRE MORE STAFF.