MSc International Management Generic Examination Guidance

1. MSc International ManagementGeneric Examination Guidance Derrick Chong

2. Role of the College in the Exam Process • The College, as part of the University of London, takes the exam process very seriously • The College sets the exam timetable not the School • With your exam timetable, you receive an exam candidate number • Any infractions of the College’s exam regulations will be noted by the invigilators • Consequences can be severe (e.g., a mark of 0% being awarded for the exam or termination of degree registration)

3. Purpose of Generic Exam Guidance • Pre-exam, exam day, and post-exam guidance • This guidance session is generic, which is of particular interest for those who are reading (studying) at a British university for the first time • Please refer to the individual courses for guidance that is specific • MN5111 – International Accounting & Finance • MN5113 – International Marketing Business Economics • MN5114 – International Strategy • MN5118 – Business Economics • MN5121 – Information Systems & Operations Management • MN5131 – International HRM & OB

4. Pre-Exam StageRole of Past Exams • Past exams for all courses can be assessed via Moodle and the College Library’s online portal • Past exams, unless indicated otherwise by the instructor, provide a good indication of exam rubrics • Style of questions (form) • Subject matter of questions (content) • Number of questions / time length • Do not memorize responses to previous exam questions

5. Exam Rubrics

6. Pre-Exam StageExam Preparation • Establish a revision schedule • It should take into account the exam schedule • It should take into account your particular areas of strength and weakness (re: core courses) • It is unlikely that instructors will repeat questions from one year to the next • Many exams offer choice, which may influence your study habits • Do not focus too narrowly on topics • Do not limit yourself to the bare minimum

7. Pre-Exam StageRevision Resources • Even if you do not to gather any more material, a reasonable amount is at your disposal • Assigned readings, lecture notes, and other materials uploaded onto Moodle • Readings you collected to complete assignments • In-class tests • Additional material can be obtained from the usual sources (e.g., business press, Business Source Premier, ABI-Inform)

8. Contact with Instructors in April and May • For consultations outside the teaching term, there is limited availability; email is the best mode of contact, though instructors may not be able to respond • Note that instructors are not permitted to assess mock answers to past exam questions

9. Exam Day • Ensure you have the right day, time, and location of the exam: arrive about 15 mins before the start • Seating is allocated by your exam candidate number • Bring 2-3 pens (blue or black ink); do not use a pencil • There is no need for white-out or highlighters; cross-out any errors • Bring a watch – to monitor your use of time – as mobiles are not allowed and direct sight of the clock in the room may be limited • Dictionaries are not permitted • Calculators will be provided, if required

10. How to Allocate Your Time • Read the instructions • How much time is allocated? • How many questions must be answered? • Are there compulsory questions/sections? • Spend the first 5-10 mins reading the entire exam – that is all the exam questions – and decide which ones you will answer

11. How to Allocate Your Time (cont’d) • In responding, ensure that time is spent on a question in proportion to the marks allocated to the question • E.g., answer 3 essay titles from a list in 3 hours: each is worth one-third of the available marks, means 45-55 mins each; do not over-run on the first question as you will be at a disadvantage in answering the others • E.g., with problem sets, note how the marks are allocated; show your work to be awarded part marks

12. During the Exam • Try to stay calm • Start each question on a new page • Legible handwriting is important as it will aid the markers in assessing your work; illegible handwriting may result in the exam not being assessed (i.e., you will be asked to re-sit the exam) • If you need any assistance during the exam – such as another exam booklet or to go to the toilet – raise your hand to alert an invigilator • Do not leave your seat without permission • Do not talk • At the end of the exam, you will be asked to tie the exam booklets together in sequential order with a piece of string; if you are unsure how to do this, ask an invigilator for assistance • Invigilators report all exam infractions to the Academic Registrar

13. Answering ‘Essay’ Questions • Ensure that your answer is a direct response to the question, rather than merely addressing the topic implied in the question • Common formats • Direct question or set of questions (why and how) • Based on a quote (discuss/analyze/critique) • Compare/contrast (relationship) • Each response requires engagement with the essay title; it is unusual to be asked to provide a list or description

14. Answering ‘Essay’ Questions (cont’d) • Do notmemorize responses to popular topics (or questions from past exam papers) • Do not identify the question as about ‘X’ and then proceed to write all you know about ‘X’ • The question is probably posed in a manner to force you to tackle a statement (or statements) about ‘X’ • References to relevant literature and practical examples are deemed as highly appropriate for a full and complete response

15. Answering ‘Numerical’ Questions or Problem Sets • Show your calculations (workings) in the exam booklet not the exam script • Partial marks are awarded • Some errors in calculation can be carried forward in how marks are awarded • Note that the exam script is separated from the exam booklet • Do not leave questions blank

16. Exam Marking/Assessment Procedure • Course instructors serve as first markers; this helps to ensure consistency and fairness • For marking criteria and classification system, see the Postgraduate Student Handbook on the School’s website • 70-100% (Distinction) • 60-69% (Merit) • 50-59% (Pass) • 40-49% (Fail – Condonable) • 0-39% (Fail – Non-Condonable) • Your performance vis-à-vis others sitting the exam is considered, thus there is a sense of relative marking • External examiners – a fundamental feature of the UK university system – tell us to ‘mark the range’

17. Post-Exam • Candidates who have condonable and non-condonable fails will be contacted by the School (re: options available, including re-sits in August 2012) • There is no formal progression to the IRP stage