My first all-fountain pen uni exam

[OtterNZ]

Edit: oops got a bit off topic

 

bluenotegrl and froldt. When we have out end of year exams in New Zealand, we get a question book that started with some short answer questions, and generally progress into longer questions as you go until you are writing short 2 page essays on each topic, and a lined paper book to write the answers in. Generally the questions go from "describe..." to "explain..." to "Investigate...", and as far as I can tell aren't standardised between universities.

 

How does this compare to what you were talking about in the American system? (Seems ours have fewer/shorter essays?)

 

What about to the Irish system you've also been in Frodt?

 

Another thing to note, is depending on what subject you take, there is varying emphasis on assignments/case studies vs exams. E.g. I'm doing Horticultural Science, and most of my yearly mark (around 60-70%) is from various case studies, assignments and labs, while my exams only cover 30-40% of my final mark. Where as I have friends doing engineering who have the majority of their marks coming from their exams.

[bluenotegrl]

OtterNZ, I studied both English Literature and Anthropology (emphasis on Osteology) at university. The English Literature component consisted of only essay-like examinations. Some were short answer, a paragraph or two, and others long answer, pages... Then there were the research papers... I digress.

 

In Anthropology, I did mostly case studies on our bone collections. In essence, they were short answer examinations with specific answers, i.e., describe the features of the sphenoid bone, etc.

 

In my very limited knowledge of other university systems, I have come to understand that there are placement examinations throughout one's university career in European countries...and, I'm sure in Australia and New Zealand. If I am wrong, please correct me.

[OtterNZ]

We don't have placement exams at university here. While the base version of papers don't have any prerequisites, the 2nd year onward papers normally do, you can't get into the more advanced paper until you've completed the previous one (I assume it is the same for you).

 

However, if you have been getting good marks in other similar papers you can go directly to the paper coordinator and see if they are willing to let you into the more advanced paper.

 

Did you do those topics as a double major? or as separate degrees?

 

Oh and I had to look up the meaning of Osteology,

[bluenotegrl]

I was an English Literature major first, then when I was almost done, I discovered my love for Anthropology...much to my mother's chigrin. She was rather upset when I told her I wanted to pursue Anthropology too.

 

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas has a huge osteological collection to study from. And, at the time, I was able to study with Dr. Bernardo Arriaza, the foremost expert on the Chinchurro of Northern Chile. Dr. Arriaza is an incredible teacher.

[froldt]

Edit: oops got a bit off topic

 

bluenotegrl and froldt. When we have out end of year exams in New Zealand, we get a question book that started with some short answer questions, and generally progress into longer questions as you go until you are writing short 2 page essays on each topic, and a lined paper book to write the answers in. Generally the questions go from "describe..." to "explain..." to "Investigate...", and as far as I can tell aren't standardised between universities.

 

How does this compare to what you were talking about in the American system? (Seems ours have fewer/shorter essays?)

 

What about to the Irish system you've also been in Frodt?

 

Another thing to note, is depending on what subject you take, there is varying emphasis on assignments/case studies vs exams. E.g. I'm doing Horticultural Science, and most of my yearly mark (around 60-70%) is from various case studies, assignments and labs, while my exams only cover 30-40% of my final mark. Where as I have friends doing engineering who have the majority of their marks coming from their exams.

 

My 1.5 years of university experience has been, for the most part, multiple choice questions, with some short-answer. Some classes (Writing & Leadership come to mind) had projects or papers in place of a final. Finals make up less than half of the over-all grade, with other exams, quizzes, homework and attendance generally making up the majority.

 

In Ireland, there was no homework (but lots of assigned reading). Most classes had a mid-term project/paper of some sort, which accounted for 10-25% of the over-all grade, with the final making up the remainder. The final exams have all been essay format.

[Flounder]

Well apologies for the delay, my results came through in the middle of September... I passed all my resits! I'm actually *progressing*. I find myself in the second week of a new term, instead of out on my ear with no degree in the worst UK economic slump since the early 1990s. This summer was a heck of a journey, let me tell you. A lot of thought in the wee hours about Life and The Future and Doing My Best.

 

The resit exams themselves threw up some surprises. The gong for "most blessed by passing deities" must go to 'Consumer Marketplace and Society', at 62% (a jump from the 10% I was given 3 months before in the 1st attempt). So the class I disliked the most - a mishmash of old case studies with no theoretical base or even recommended textbook - turned out to get my second best grade. The class I enjoyed the most, with a really interesting subject area and enthusiastic lecturer, got me my lowest percentage! Go figure.

 

The way it works at my university is that the best 2 results [62% and 75%) from your 3rd year are taken into consideration for the big, final honours grade, so if I can avoid any scarring life experiences between now and next August, I have a chance at a decent degree.

 

This year, as well as exams and coursework, marketing students are expected to write a 10,000 word dissertation (excluding appendices!) This involves bothering people to become research participants - usually by filling in long lists of written questionaires. I'm dumping this approach, to make it a bit more interesting for myself and any participants.

 

If anyone's interested - I'll make an official plea on the chatter board in due course - you can get a brief idea of what would be involved here

 

Lastly - if are there any academics out there that have conducted in-depth interviews, either on or offline? I'd love to hear your experiences of this process, any advice would be very helpful!

Edited October 4, 2009 by Flounder

[bluenotegrl]

Congratulations Flounder on your success!

[brokenglass]

The class I enjoyed the most, with a really interesting subject area and enthusiastic lecturer, got me my lowest percentage! Go figure.

 

Glad your efforts paid off! Congrats!

 

My theory about 'course interest' vs. 'resulting exam grades' is this: it is simply easier to predict exam questions for boring courses. This phenomenon causes the most interesting subjects to result in lower exam grades.

 

I wish I'd found FPs during University - could have saved me from note-taking-induced sore wrists! I still wouldn't have been able to use FPs for exams, however, as many Profs required HB pencils for easier (read: electronic) scoring & such.

[I am not a number]

Very well done, I would have asked but sometimes not hearing anything means the result wasn't entirely the desired one, I'm really glad that wan't the case with you. You know the drill now, get stuck in for that last stretch and you get the nice set of letters after your name.

 

Lastly - if are there any academics out there that have conducted in-depth interviews, either on or offline? I'd love to hear your experiences of this process, any advice would be very helpful!

I'll have a chat with a few colleagues when I get back to the office on Wednesday, I'm at a conference tomorrow.