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TAKING EXAMS (an examiner’s view)

TAKING EXAMS (an examiner’s view). by Pete Loader Chief Examiner Geology AS/A2 W.J.E.C Edinburgh ESTA CONFERENCE Sept 2004. Where’s my red pen?. The enemy?. Who are these examiners anyway?. Know the enemy line-up!. Remember examiners are also examined. Common misconceptions!.

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TAKING EXAMS (an examiner’s view)

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  1. TAKING EXAMS (an examiner’s view) by Pete Loader Chief Examiner Geology AS/A2 W.J.E.C Edinburgh ESTA CONFERENCE Sept 2004

  2. Where’s my red pen? The enemy? Who are these examiners anyway?

  3. Know the enemy line-up! Remember examiners are also examined.

  4. Common misconceptions! • The exams will be harder this year • The grade boundaries will be higher • Examiners have to fail so many • Examiners often make mistakes • Examiners don’t make mistakes • My script was probably marked wrong

  5. How examiners choose those questions? • IS IT WRITTEN IN THE SPECIFICATION? • Does it meet the Assessment Objectives (Knowledge/understanding/analysis/ experiment/evaluation/synthesis ?) • Is it at the right level? • Has it been set very recently? • Will it discriminate? • Will it get through QPEC ? (Question paper evaluation committee)

  6. To discriminate questions must have an incline of difficulty.(a) introduces a topic. Question get progressively harder (b) A related topic may be introduced, perhaps through supplementary data Question structure

  7. Examiners are trying to help! • Check marks for level of answer needed. • There are often more marks available than on the paper – more bites of the cherry. Be expansive but don’t labour the point. • Use data given. Each word has been chosen carefully to help. • Examiners recycle questions – study past papers for style/level.

  8. Command words • DESCRIBE – give factual details • EXPLAIN – show how, why, give reasons • OUTLINE – summarise main points • DISCUSS – argue giving different viewpoints • COMPARE – point out similarities AND differences • EVALUATE – make an appraisal of worth in the light of evidence.

  9. KEY words Q1. Describe two hazards associated with the volcanic eruption of lava. Q2 Explain two contrasting theories for the extinction of dinosaurs. Q3 Compare the eruptions of Mt. Etna and Vesuvius.

  10. (c) Figure 2b shows four methods of stabilising a hill slope (P,Q.R,S). • With reference to Figure 2a, explain why cutting steps into the face (method P) will help stabilise the hill slope in Figure 2b • (ii) Choose one other method used to stabilise the slope in Figure 2b (Q,R,S) and explain its use in this situation.

  11. Best answer?!!! Don’t know. Had crap teacher.

  12. Level marking

  13. Level marking

  14. How to achieve ‘nil points’ Wandering off the point Twisting question IRRELLEVANCE Misunderstanding misreading question Disregarding question

  15. and of course! Mobile phones

  16. More “dos & don’ts” • Check instructions • Read through paper to plan time allocation • Don’t waste time writing out question saying what you intend to do– a plan is better) • Give appropriate examples from your studies. • Check over work at end. • Legible handwriting……..please!!!!

  17. help!

  18. Good examinees are generally good communicators SO……..

  19. COMMUNICATE WITH US!

  20. Examiners are also teachers (and mums and dads)! They want: • to reward you with marks you deserve. • you to answer the question set. • be able to read what you write. • you to answer all parts of the right number of questions. • your opinions/statements backed up by relevant argument/evidence/ examples and illustrations

  21. But don’t forget...revision is still the key

  22. Make your examiner happy! ….perhaps not! Good luc k

  23. the end

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