Abstract: Although both open-book or close-book exams have drawbacks of one kind or another，they are effective and very popular ways to check the quality of teaching and learning at present.But ideological and political theory course exams in China′s universities do have problems：written test being the only form，exams are scientifically designed with test contents confined to text books.Also test results take up too large a part in students′ performance evaluation.Such problems prevent students′ initiative in learning.In order to really attain the goal of ideological and political theory teaching，more emphasis on students′ practice work performance should be added to the evaluation system.Students′ usual performance can be decided through class discussion，and students who performance excellently in learning can be exempted from taking exams.More importantly，exams should be designed to accurately test whether students have the ability to analyze and solve problems by using what they′ve learned in class.

Key words: ideological and political theory course, exam reform, moral conduct, juristic act, democratic appraisal