At Reading Study Group we discussed a couple of Mod 1 questions, of this this was one.
As a one off experiment, I thought I'd see how much I could actually get down on paper in the time now permitted. I gave myself a strict 18 mins to do all that you see attached (i.e. including heading info) just to see how it went when against the clock.
Of course I had all the decided advantage of having discussed the question in class a few days earlier; I certainly doubt whether I could done so well if I had been completely cold into the exam with only 10 minutes to select the questions and think of an outline. I felt that I would only have permited myself 10% of the 20 minutes to plan before commencing writing, so hence the 18min allowance I set. I suppose that I am not as "young and fit" as those who sit the exam but don't feel that I am too much into my dotage yet, although noticeably slowing down.
I have got to say that I think it is too tough; very difficult to have done 3 questions within the hour to any reasonable level.
Note that I knew I was fighting time so it is a bit of a scawl and generally terse; also gaps left in case I had time to go back and flesh out- which I of course didn't end up having the luxury to do.
Having to move straight on to the next one to do in the same fashon and then another one- umm.
Personal conclusion: asking candidates to attempt 3 questions within the hour was probably a mistake. I accept all were in the same boat and it was certainly possible to pass (hats off to those who succeeded), but I can see why the scores were all low across the range.
"I think we'd better think it out again".
As a one off experiment, I thought I'd see how much I could actually get down on paper in the time now permitted. I gave myself a strict 18 mins to do all that you see attached (i.e. including heading info) just to see how it went when against the clock.
Of course I had all the decided advantage of having discussed the question in class a few days earlier; I certainly doubt whether I could done so well if I had been completely cold into the exam with only 10 minutes to select the questions and think of an outline. I felt that I would only have permited myself 10% of the 20 minutes to plan before commencing writing, so hence the 18min allowance I set. I suppose that I am not as "young and fit" as those who sit the exam but don't feel that I am too much into my dotage yet, although noticeably slowing down.
I have got to say that I think it is too tough; very difficult to have done 3 questions within the hour to any reasonable level.
Note that I knew I was fighting time so it is a bit of a scawl and generally terse; also gaps left in case I had time to go back and flesh out- which I of course didn't end up having the luxury to do.
Having to move straight on to the next one to do in the same fashon and then another one- umm.
Personal conclusion: asking candidates to attempt 3 questions within the hour was probably a mistake. I accept all were in the same boat and it was certainly possible to pass (hats off to those who succeeded), but I can see why the scores were all low across the range.
"I think we'd better think it out again".
PJW