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SIN Contest Proctor Instructions

The document provides detailed instructions for teachers on setting up and administering the Sir Isaac Newton Physics Contest, including login procedures, test administration, and grading processes. It emphasizes the importance of student identification, the 15-minute grace period for starting the test, and the rules for maintaining test integrity. Additionally, it outlines the requirements for written solutions if students wish to be eligible for prizes and describes the grading process, including computer and hand grading criteria.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
22 views4 pages

SIN Contest Proctor Instructions

The document provides detailed instructions for teachers on setting up and administering the Sir Isaac Newton Physics Contest, including login procedures, test administration, and grading processes. It emphasizes the importance of student identification, the 15-minute grace period for starting the test, and the rules for maintaining test integrity. Additionally, it outlines the requirements for written solutions if students wish to be eligible for prizes and describes the grading process, including computer and hand grading criteria.

Uploaded by

ombugzlaquadra
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

SIN Setup and Login Instructions for Teachers

Before the Test


The login you have been provided is only for the proctor account. For students to write the test you
will need to provide student credentials to each of your students. Please pick ONE METHOD, either
print out passwords physically and provide one to each student OR upload a list of student email
addresses and email your students their passwords.
When students log in, the first page will ask for the student's first name and last name. This information
is necessary for handing back test results and must be completed before the student attempts the test.
Once they have entered their names, the printed table from above will be updated with this
information. In the case of an accidental logout, please reprint this table and ensure that the student
is logged back in with the correct user ID.
After they have filled in this information, they will be taken to a page with the student's instructions for
writing the test. You can see a copy of these instructions in the lower Test Preview section of your screen.
Students will remain on this page until you click the large 'Begin Test' button on the proctor portal.
Before any student can access the test, you must click the 'Begin Test' button, although clicking the
button will not force them to start immediately. Once you have started the test the students will have a
15-minute grace period to press their own individual 'Start Test' buttons.
If they start at any point in this grace period, they will have the full exam period to write. If they start
after this grace period has ended, their exam time will be measured from the end of the 15-minute
grace period.
The purpose of this grace period is to allow students more time to read the instructions, if necessary.
During the Test
During the test it is your duty to ensure that all the students complete the test fairly. Students should
not need any additional resources unless they have been explicitly stated by the exam administrators
and students should not be allowed to access other pages on the internet or consult with one another.
While you may answer any questions the students may have about the functionality of the SciOn
system, you should refrain from helping them to complete the actual questions.
During the test, the proctor page will display the time remaining in the examination as well as
information about all your writing students. Please be aware that, once your timer runs out, students
may still have up to 15 minutes remaining to finish, depending on when they began writing. Therefore,
you must wait at least 15 minutes before being able to begin the test again.
Proctors will be provided a link to complete their own optional version of the test once the test has
begun. Do not write a student test as a proctor, as it may skew global scores.
After the Test
Once a student submits their test, they will be taken to a final page thanking them for their
participation. Students who have reached this point may close their window and leave at your
discretion. A student who runs out of time will be locked out from answering any more questions or
changing answers, although they will not be taken to the final page until they click their submit button.
Marks will not become available until the test is completed globally.

The process of marking and returning results may take a few weeks.
UNIVERSITY OF
WATERLOO The 57th Sir Isaac Newton Physics Contest
Department of Physics & Astronomy
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada

Level and Discipline: Grade 12 Physics


Date of Contest: May 1st, 2025
Duration of Contest: 2 Hours

General Instructions
1. This is a prize contest. The results are used to decide Contest Rankings, SIN Prize
awards, and entrance scholarships. It is meant to be fun and challenging.
2. If you wish to be eligible for a SIN Prize award, it is important to include legible written
solutions (see below). Otherwise, you do not need to provide solutions.
3. Your numerical answer may differ from our "rounded off" answer. Choose the closest answer.
4. You have two hours to write this Contest. Good Luck!

SIN Checklist
• Sense of humor, ability to have fun with a challenge
• Pencils/pens, paper
• Calculator

Written Solutions Student Instructions (Only needed if you wish to be eligible for a prize)
The Cover Page for Student Solutions has important instructions for you to follow.
If you didn’t bring your own, you will have time to view it after you log in to the Contest.
Please hand in your written solutions to your teacher with your Cover Page on top.

Written Solutions Teacher Information


All contestants will have their multiple-choice answers computer marked to generate a computer score.
If a computer score is high enough, we will ask the teacher to send a pdf of their solutions for hand marking.

Resources Handy Triangles


Examples of Significant Zeros
Number 10 10. 10.0
# of Significant Digits 1 2 3
m Nm2
Use 𝑔 = 10.0 s2 , 𝐺 = 6.67 × 10−11 kg2
Marking Scheme
All questions are of equal value:
Correct Answer = +4, Unanswered = 0, Incorrect Answer = −1 (discourages guessing)
The Complete Grading Process – for your curiosity and writing strategies
Notes:
If you do not wish to be considered for a prize, you do not need to create formal solutions.
You will be shown your Ranking after the hand-marking process – no formal solutions required.

a. Initial Grading Process


• The SIN Contest is initially graded by computer to generate a computer score.
• All questions are of equal value:
 +𝟒 for a correct answer, 𝟎 for a blank answer and – 𝟏 for an incorrect answer.
o The 𝟎 encourages not guessing and the −𝟏 discourages guessing.
o Possible total scores can range from,
➢ −𝟏𝟐 for 12 incorrect answers, to 𝟎 for 12 blank answers up to +𝟒𝟖 for 12 correct answers.
o So, even if you do not answer any questions, you likely will not be last.

b. Formal Solutions – only needed if you wish to be eligible for a prize


• Teachers: Please do not email us student solutions unless requested to do so by the SIN Committee.
• Only if you provide legible, organized, written solutions will you be considered for a prize.
 Solutions must have a Cover Page* – See SIN Website or your Teacher
 You must submit your written solutions, with Cover Page, to your supervising Teacher
immediately after the contest. Either,
i. Hand in your solutions*. Your teacher will scan them only if requested by us.
ii. Email your solution pics* in one pdf (or Word doc) to your teacher.

c. Hand Grading Process – Determining SIN Prize Winners


• If your score is high enough, we will email your teacher and request that they send your solution pdf
to us for hand grading.
• The SIN Contests with the top few hundred computer scores are collected for hand grading.
• Hand grading rewards solutions that are clear and demonstrate understanding, while it discourages
lucky guessing and unclear solutions that do not demonstrate understanding. In other words, a
student with a lower computer score that demonstrates understanding with clear solutions can end
up with a higher hand-marked final score than a student with an initially higher computer score and
no solutions or solutions that do not demonstrate effective communication skills or understanding.
o For a correct answer*, a good solution earns up to 𝟒 extra points (total possible score of +𝟖)
o For an incorrect answer*, a good solution can earn up to 𝟒 extra points (total possible score of +𝟑)
o For no answer*, a good solution can earn up to 𝟒 extra points (total possible score of +𝟒)
* answer = The choice the student entered Online

A Good Solution earns up to 4 extra points as follows:


• A Good Diagram 0 or 1 point (large enough, labelled well)
• Mathematical clarity 0 or 1 point
• Logic and organization 0, 1, or 2 points

Final Scores and Ranking


After hand grading it is possible to be awarded up to an additional 48 points for a total possible
score of 96. The score out of 96 will be used to determine Prize Winners and Ranking. For
example, if you achieve a computer score of 40 and chose not to hand in solutions, then your
final score will then be 40 out of 96. However, if you handed in your solutions AND your
computer score was high enough to warrant hand grading AND you achieved 42 marks from
hand grading, then your final score would be 82 out of 96 and you may be eligible for a Prize.
UNIVERSITY OF
WATERLOO Cover Page for Student Solutions
The Sir Isaac Newton Physics Contest
Use this only if you wish to hand in your solutions to be eligible for a prize.

Please either print this page and fill in the table below or write the Required Information on a separate page.
Then bring this with you to the Contest.
Required Information
Date Thursday May 1st, 2025

Full name of student


Please print neatly

Name of School
Please print neatly

Name of Teacher or Proctor


Please print neatly

eMail of Teacher or School


Please print neatly

Written Solution Instructions for Students (Only needed if you wish to be eligible for a prize)
1. Hand in your solutions with this page on top
Or download this page, print, and fill it in after you login to the Contest →

Or make your own separate cover page containing the Required Information (see above).
2. Start each solution on a new page. Only write on one side of the page. AB

3. Write down the question number at the top, right corner of the page.
4. Ensure your solutions are within 1 cm of the page edge. 1 cm
5. Print your initials beside the question number.

Score Key: Correct answer = +4, No answer = 0, Incorrect answer = −1 (discourages guessing)
Example Scores: Max Score = 48, No-Answer Score = 0, All-Answers-Incorrect Score = −12

FYI: Before Contest Information


Hand marking
All contestants will have their multiple-choice answers computer marked to generate a computer score.
If your computer score is high enough, we will ask your teacher to send us your solutions to be hand marked.

Hand marking rewards solutions that are clear and demonstrate understanding. In other words, a
student with a lower computer score but with solutions that demonstrate understanding, can end up
with a higher hand-marked final score than a student with an initial higher computer score but with
solutions that do not demonstrate understanding.

Ranking
Your ranking will be based on your computer score plus your hand-marked score.

Common questions

Powered by AI

The SIN contest's marking scheme penalizes incorrect answers by subtracting 1 point, which discourages students from making random guesses. By awarding 4 points for correct answers, 0 for blanks, and penalizing guesses, the system incentivizes students to answer only when confident, thus reducing the reliance on luck and encouraging strategic decision-making. This setup rewards knowledge and understanding over chance .

The hand grading process can significantly affect final rankings by allowing additional points based on the quality of written solutions. Students can leverage this process by providing well-organized, clear solutions with good diagrams and logical explanations, which can result in up to four extra points per question beyond their computer score. Thus, students who thoroughly demonstrate their understanding through their written solutions can surpass peers with higher initial computer scores, potentially increasing their overall ranking and eligibility for prizes .

Students who submit written solutions could benefit from the hand grading process, which evaluates clarity, logical organization, and understanding of concepts. This process rewards well-documented solutions with up to 4 extra points per question. Therefore, even students with lower initial computer scores can surpass peers with higher initial scores through effective communication and clear understanding, which can lead to higher final scores and eligibility for prizes .

The 15-minute grace period is intended to provide students with additional time to read and understand the test instructions without pressure. This period does not force students to begin writing immediately, allowing them more time to prepare mentally and address any uncertainties about the test format or instructions, rather than rushing into the test environment. This setup promotes a fair start for all students, ensuring they are ready before beginning the assessment .

A 'Good Solution' in the SIN contest includes a well-drawn, labeled diagram (up to 1 point), clear mathematical process (up to 1 point), and logical, organized reasoning (up to 2 points). Evaluators assess these elements to determine how well the student understands and communicates their problem-solving process. This detailed evaluation allows for an additional score of up to 4 points per question, rewarding clarity and depth of thought over mere correctness .

To be eligible for hand grading in the SIN contest, written solutions must start on a new page for each question, use only one side of the page, and position the question number at the top right corner with the student's initials. They must also ensure content remains within 1 cm of the page edge. A cover page with specified information such as the student's full name, school's name, and teacher's details is required. These solutions should demonstrate clear understanding with good diagrams, mathematical clarity, and logical organization .

The initial computer grading process disincentivizes guessing by assigning +4 for a correct answer, 0 for unanswered questions, and -1 for incorrect answers. This system means a wrong answer results in a deduction, while leaving a question unanswered does not negatively impact the score. Therefore, incorrect answers can lower a contestant's score significantly, while not guessing at all avoids this risk .

The contest structure ensures fairness and rigor by combining computer-scored and hand-marked methods. The computer score provides an initial assessment based on multiple-choice answers, while hand grading examines the depth of understanding through written solutions. This double-tiered process allows students who demonstrate clarity and analytical skills in their solutions to potentially achieve higher final scores than those with higher initial scores but lacking depth in their responses .

During the SIN setup phase, the proctor is responsible for managing the student credentials by either printing out passwords or emailing them to students, ensuring each student correctly enters their names necessary for handing back test results, and initiating the test by clicking the 'Begin Test' button on the proctor portal. During the test, the proctor must ensure fairness by monitoring students' activities to prevent the use of unauthorized resources or internet access. Proctors should address any questions regarding the SciOn system but must not assist with test questions. They are also responsible for observing the test timer and understanding that students might have an extra 15 minutes after the official time ends to complete their test, if they started within the grace period .

Teachers can distribute student login credentials by either physically printing out passwords and handing them to students or by uploading a list of student emails and emailing their passwords. Both methods involve ensuring students correctly log their first and last names to facilitate test result processing. After completing this, the teacher updates the printed information table and assists in any necessary logins .

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