Two days ago I took the statistics test I referred to in the previous post.  All I can say is “wow”.  Yes, I’ve actually had a statistics course in the past … in the not-so-recent past (as in 1989 …).  Well, on Monday, it showed.  The test seemed simple enough; there were 10 questions and I could use a calculator and a standard normal probability table.  I quickly learned that all the questions were essay response.  I answered the first two questions fairly quickly and though I had a good shot at doing halfway decent on the test.  Then I got to the third question.  Yikes!  Ok, well, let me skip that one and come back.  Fourth question … double yikes!  And so it went … all the way to question #10 (and back).

So I fell on my sword and, discretion being the better part of valor, submitted the test with only two questions out of ten answered.  I then requested that I be given permission to enroll in the PhD section of 704.  (Yes, I had previously enrolled in 704, but little did I realize, that was the wrong section.)

Lesson learned …

Ok, I got the following email today … I knew it was coming …. I just didn’t want to admit it!  I haven’t taken a statistics course since … ummm … uhhh … 1989???  Well, I’m not sure I’ll do extremely well – I’m already signed up for 704!

(edited for length and content)
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Dear Fall 2010 Incoming Doctoral Students:

As mentioned in my first welcome email last month, the SPP faculty have created a statistics placement exam for all incoming doctoral students.  This exam will test your familiarity with concepts crucial for success in PUBP804 (Multivariate Statistical Analysis).

Students wishing to be exempted from PUBP704 (Statistical Methods for Policy Analysis) must take this exam online between Friday, May 21 at 8am Eastern Daylight Savings Time and Wednesday, June 2, 2010 by 11:59pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time.  Should you choose not to take the placement exam, you must register for PUBP704 as a pre-requisite.  Students who take the exam and perform well will be exempted from PUBP704.

Once you begin the exam (on a day of your choice between May 21st and June 2nd), you will have two hours total to complete the exam.

Should you be required to take PUBP704, you must register for PUBP704-001.   Do not register for any other section of PUBP704.  The CRN for this course is 71688, but I will need to give you permission before you can register (the course is currently controlled so that no one can register without permission).

By Friday, May 21, you should be able to log into Blackboard (see the attached instructions) and view the link to the exam (although not the exam itself).  Please try logging in on Friday, and let me know if you have any difficulty doing so.  If you have not yet confirmed your enrollment in the program, you will not be able to log in to Blackboard.

Please email me by Thursday and let me know whether you plan to take the exam.  If you choose not to take the exam, you must register for PUBP704 this fall.

My previous post listed what courses I’m taking … but I didn’t really provide a description of what each title means … so I pulled the descriptions from the GMU SPP website:

• PUBP 704 Statistical Methods in Policy Analysis (3) Graduate-level introduction to statistical methods and techniques used in policy sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics, sampling and probability theory, graphical data display, estimation and significance testing, contingency tables, bivariate regression and correlation, and multiple regression, with introduction to computer-based statistical analysis.
• PUBP 730 National Policy Systems and Theory (3) Provides inquiry into policy-making environment, organized around U.S. federal system. Examines nation’s policy systems and key components: actors, institutions of governance, outside groups, and other influential interests. Special emphasis on dynamic character of policy making. In addition, different policy theories discussed in context of current political realities.
• PUBP 801 Macro Policy (2-4) Demonstrates how macroeconomic, technological, demographic, and social forces affect supply and demand for governmental services. Counterpart analysis of the impact of shifts in patterns of international trade, demographic composition of population, and trends in social structure. Builds awareness of need to factor alternative assumptions about macro environment into policy planning; shows how macro events can affect social welfare and policy performance indicators; and suggests how national income accounting analysis and simple macroeconomic models can help pinpoint impending trouble spots for public policy.

GMU SPP PhD Program Page