So you flubbed up that Spanish quiz. We're sure you have a good reason, like staying up until 4 a.m. to read the latest SparkLife posts (darn that time difference!). But now you're dealing with a grade that is going to seriously phunk with your GPA. You would do anything for a do-over, but how to approach your teacher? We did an extensive survey of every one teacher in America to find out what strategies will get you a retest, and which ones will only make things worse:
1) Do NOT get Mama and Papa bear involved. Nothing annoys a teacher more than having a student's parents call on his or her behalf. It shows that the student isn't taking responsibility. Besides, the teacher's job is to teach you, not your mom and dad. And chances are, your parents don't have the full story (like the fact that you had three weeks to study for the test).
2) Do NOT blame the teacher or the test. Have you ever seen a teacher on the defensive? Trust us when we say it's not pretty—kind of like a rabid raccoon backed into a corner. Teachers and entire boards of education work very hard to make tests appropriate and fair. If the test really was too hard, or there wasn't enough time to prepare for it, the teacher knows already, because of the class's general performance.
3) Do NOT play the excuses game. Blaming your mono from last year is going to fool no one. Neither is blaming the death of your little brother's ferret, the fish sticks in the cafeteria, or the glare from the classroom windows. Chances are you really just messed up. That's okay. We all do it. Your teacher's even done it once or twice. He or she is more likely to respect your request for a retest if you're honest, direct, and even a little bit humbled ("I really messed up on the test. It's my fault, and I'm embarrassed about it.").
4) Do NOT try to bribe or blackmail your teacher. Even with cheese and e-cabbages.
5) DO put some thought into what went wrong. Your teacher wants to see that you've learned a lesson — not just the one the test was on, but one of those big, capital 'L' Life Lessons. Talk with him or her about what you could have done differently. Did you need to start studying earlier? Could you have studied a little bit every day instead of in one big cram session? Do you need some extra help? Could you listen more closely in class or take better notes? These kinds of reflections are music to a teacher's ears.
6) DO ask for your teacher's help. What we're about to say may rock your world, but your teachers actually want you to succeed. In fact, that's what they want most. And the good ones will do just about anything to help you do it. When asking for a retest, ask your teach for his or her studying and test-taking tips. They've been around this block a few times. They might have some tricks up their wizard sleeves that surprise you.
7) If you are granted a retest, DO STUDY! Maybe you did study the first time, and things just weren't clicking for you. It's frustrating. We hear ya. Keep at it. Try to switch up your studying methods this time. But if you bombed your first test because you didn't study (or didn't study enough), please, please, please study this time. As Einstein said, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome is a sign of insanity.
If a teacher gives you a retest, and the grade comes back lower than the original, you better hold on to your hat. In order to help you out, your teacher probably spent extra effort and time making up another test and grading it—time she would rather have spent knitting a new theme sweater or watching The Bachelor. If you didn't have the courtesy to spend extra effort studying for it, this will be your last retest.
Have you ever asked a teacher for a retest? What worked and what didn't?
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