KC and Driving

[Paul Osborne]

OK I know that this is a bit late for you Emma, but may be usefull for more exams later in the year and also finals:

I do work in an academic dept at a Uni, and what we can do with supporting evidence (ie GPs letters etc) is:

1. allow an extra half hour exam time for all exams - exam is also usually taken in a separate quite room - which is good thing as there are less distractions - a GPs letter is usually enough for this.

2. allow the tutor to make an additional representation on the students behalf at the final examiners meeting when the degree classification is issued. However you will need a GPs letter and any other supporting evidence that you can get - the KC for Employers Factsheet could be good for this.

Anyway hope the above helps

Paul

[Andrew MacLean]

Well done emma

Question spotting is an ancient sport. glad to know that students still play it and manage to win!

All the best

Andrew

[Emma_Marie]

Paul,

Thanks for your advice. I am very fortunate that my university are very supportive of my KC, i do get 25% extra in my exams and i am also allowed to sit it in a smaller room which is great. I really couldn't ask for anything more.

I'm not to sure about the degree classification though. I've always been led to believe that the decisions are final? Thankfully this shouldn't affect me until my finals next year, this year is worth 40%.

Andrew!

Yes students are still guessing topics to cover in exams, i've been lucky that my prayers have been answered so far! Hopefully saturdays paper will be good - The Politics and Society of 19th Century Ireland! lol The excitment!

Emma

[Paul Osborne]

Emma,

At the Uni I work at (and most others from what I hear) once the exams have been done, there is then an examiners meeting - this allows the academics to gauge how successfull the exams appeared and whether students have earnt the grades that were expected.

It is at this point that any adjustements are made on behalf of individual students, representations are then made on individuals behalfs for mitigating circumstances. At this point the final classification is issued.

For example if say most of your work were usually classed at the 2.1 percentage rate, but your exams came in at 2.2 but were a couple of percent short of 2.1 - at that meeting they would discuss why the discrepancy and are there any circumstances that need to be taken into account and if appropriate award you with the classification that you deserve.

So you could conceivably get a marks transcript issued showing 58% but a classification of 2.1 .

A similar situation happened to my wife - when she was unable to work as well as she could because I was ill.

You have nothing to lose by getting as much information to your tutor as you can, it really can only help your cause.

Paul

[Emma_Marie]

Paul,

I've an appointment with my advisor of studies 2mro so i think i will mention it, i've nothin 2 loose. at the moment im sitting on 85% in my coursework so hopefully the exam won't bring me down. I'll let u know how i get on.

Emma

[John Smith]

Good luck Emma.

I know from experience that degree grades can indeed change. We had a very friendly lecturer (was actually a student in the year above me, and became a lecturer on "leaving") who told us the degree final grades as soon as the papers had been marked.

Unfortunately, the CNAA (examining body at the time) didn't like the distribution of grades so forced them to be changed. A number of people's real final grade ended up different to the one that had been leaked!

[Andrew MacLean]

Emma

You seem to have a pretty good handle on all this.

I was always surprised how many students kept secret from their departments all sorts of handicaps and disabilities. I came to think that this was unfair to the academics, as it denied them the opportunity to create a playing field that was more or less to level.

My wife now has an academic post in the same University as I used to serve as Chaplain. She tells me that things are still the same, and that it happens sometimes that appeals are lodged after a disappointing award.

Anyway, all the best with Saturday's exam. It could be worse: it could be me, or Paul, or John, or Sweet ... Actually, it used to be us!

19th Century Irish Politics and Society really sounds like an engaging subject.

Belfast is one of my favourite cities. You are really fortunate to be at University there.

Andrew

[Emma_Marie]

well, i went to my advisor this morning and explained the situation. basically he said that because my grades so far have been of a high standard, i shouldn't worry, but if there seems to be a dramatic drop in any of my modules, he'll get it sorted for me. hopefully i shouldn't have any problems. still studying for this exam 2mro, but its the last 1! finally! then i get a week break

I only have 2 deal now with the flood in the kitchen, the radiaitor has decided to leak on me and the fuse went in the shower this morning! the joys of student houses!

Nways got 2 head on, revision to do!

Emma

[Andrew MacLean]

Exams over?

I have always thought that there was something cruel about holding exams just after the christmas Holoiday. I know why UK Universities do it, as they merge an american Style "Semester" system into the old three term structure of the year.

I think it is only Stirling that has managed the complete change. They have two 15 week Semesters, each with exams leading into vacations. First Semester runs from September to December. Exams then Christmas vacation. Second Semester runs from February to May then exams and the summer vacation.

Still, living and studying in Belfast will be its own reward. I hope that your eyes settle down soon

Andrew

[Emma_Marie]

Im FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Last exam is over!!! Thank God, it actually went ok, my left eye played up half way through but persevered with the pain and got there in the end I'm off now 4 a whole week and plan 2 d as little a possible, headin out now 4 a couple of drinks (or a lot!) 2 celebrate! Football 2mro, can't wait, a trip 2 Dublin 4 me

Chat u all later,
Emma x