First Year Class Tests - FIRST TERM (2011-2012)

Modules

• CM111A Calculus 1
• CM113A Linear Methods
• CM115A Numbers and Functions
• CM122A Geometry I

Dates

All tests take place in the Great Hall and follow the same procedure as last term. Please arrive in front of the Great Hall by 13:00.

NOTE: The rubrics used may vary from module to module; take note of any announcements made by your lecturers -- and read the instructions once again before you start ticking boxes.

Test duration: Those having to sit two tests on one day: you can work on both test papers in any order you like, you have about 50 minutes to complete both tests. Those having to sit one test only on a day: ignore the other test paper and work on the test you have to sit; you have to hand in that paper after about 25 minutes.

Missing a test: There seem to have been enquiries about what happens if a student misses a test:

• If a test is missed for a good reason (such as illness confirmed by a medical certificate), then the coursework component of the final mark will be computed from the test results of the remaining tests.
• If a test is missed without valid excuse, the score for this test is zero and counts.

Please have your tutorial group number ready (T1, T2, or so), which should be written on the test paper. Failing that, write down the names of the tutors, or at least the time when your tutorial runs. This will greatly speed up the process of returning copies of your test paper to you. Thanks!

Also please take a minute to browse through the instructions collected below.

Some general instructions:

1. Please arrive at the Great Hall doors by 13:00 latest. Wait in front of the doors until the invigilators ask you to enter. Use the waiting time to make sure your mobile phones are switched off.
2. Note: You will not be given extra time should you arrive late. Arriving late does break the concentration of the other students.
3. Inside the hall, follow any instructions given by the invigilators, so as to ensure an orderly procedure. No chatting in the exam hall.
4. Those having to sit TWO TEST PAPERS on a day should enter first and march right through to the FRONT SEATS AT THE FAR WALL. Don't leave any gaps, because any late comers* would have to squeeze into those gaps, which will cause further disruptions. (*By the way, don't be late.) Those having to sit ONLY ONE TEST PAPER on a day should enter after the others and take seats CLOSEST TO THE DOOR. (If this doesn't work, we can't let anybody leave after half an hour.)
5. Please (travel with light luggage and) take your BAGS etc along to YOUR DESK, stow them under your desk. (Collecting bags from the tables near the doors disturbs those who are still writing. And nobody can check who "collects" what.)
6. No items other than pens, test paper and rough work paper (and perhaps a water botlle) are allowed on the desks or writing panels. No calculators are allowed, nor are they useful.
7. On your desk, you will find two test papers (coloured) and some pages of white paper for rough work. Don't touch the test papers until told to start. You will then have about 50 minutes to complete both tests -- COMPLETING THE TEST STARTS WITH WRITING YOUR NAME AND STUDENT NUMBER, and the tutorial group number.
8. Those students who have to sit only one test paper should ignore the other test paper on their desk. They will be told to stop working on their test after about 25 minutes and should leave the hall when their paper is collected -- leave very quietly.
9. (Note that working on the second paper "just for fun" and then handing in both after the full time will count as cheating, i.e. result in zero marks for the test that counts, and in a serious reprimand.) (We have lists of who needs to sit what test.)
10. Those leaving early, please be CONSIDERATE towards those still wrestling with their tests. In particular, keep quiet directly outside of the Great Hall.
11. Please be reminded that the sheets of (WHITE) paper on which you do your rough work will not be stored; they may NOT even be COLLECTED. You can take the rough work sheets with you or leave them behind.
12. As the test rubrics clearly indicate, you are to put your answers directly into the boxes on the (coloured) test papers.

Test format:

The class tests for 111, 113, 115 and 122 will normally have questions in multiple choice format; you will be provided with blank paper to perform rough work on.

One of the standard "rubrics" for the tests is: Correct answers to a question score 5 raw marks, empty boxes result in 0 raw marks, wrong answers are rewarded with -1 raw marks (to discourage mere guessing). However, sometimes different rubrics are used (e.g. one where you are given various statements each of which you have to identify as true or false). Your lecturer will give you hints as to what format is used in their test -- but in any case take the time to read the rubric carefully.

If you CHANGE YOUR MIND about an answer, shade the box which had a cross and put a cross into the one you now have reason to think is the correct one. In case you CHANGE YOUR MIND twice about a correct answer -- e.g. putting a cross into box 1a, then shading 1a and crossing 1b, then shading 1b and trying to cross 1a again -- then write something like "cross in box 1a counts" in the margin next to row 1.)

Should you need extra paper for rough work during the test, raise your hand; paper will be brought to you by an invigilator.

At the end of the test, remain in your seat and await the invigilators' instructions.

Each question paper comes in different versions (of the same overall content); it is therefore rather pointless to try and spy ticks on your neighbour's answer sheet. Moreover, the invigilators will record any observed attempt at cheating, and there will be consequences if you are caught.

These rules are applied in full strictness partly so as to acquaint you with exam conditions in the large examination halls where you will take your January and summer exams. The invigilators there are professionals and, while fair, totally no-nonsense.

There will be NO RESITS for class tests. If you miss one without very good reason (e.g. a medical certificate), you will receive zero marks for it.

Complaints procedure:

Every year, there are some students who complain since they feel their test was marked incorrectly. It's alright for you to do so. It's alright even though about 98 percent of these complaints turn out to be unfounded. However, it's also alright for "us" (lecturers, markers, Dept Office, me) to be somehwat unenthusiastic in the face of such complaints (as about 98 percent of these ...). At least, please stick to the following rules:

• Before you complain, understand that nobody's out there "to get you"; the markers are trying to do a fair and good job.
• Before you complain, look at the solutions, the rubric, and the copy of your test paper; compare them.
• Before you complain, repeat the steps from the previous point, more carefully this time.
• If you still feel there's something in the marking to complain about, do so in an email to me (jawad.2.arshad AT kcl.ac.uk) or Stephanie Rice (stephanie.rice AT kcl.ac.uk), stating
  • your name, student number and tutorial group number;
  • which test it was (e.g. CM111 2nd test);
  • which question you think was mismarked.
  You can cc that email to the lecturer if you want.
• You should definitely contact the lecturer if the problem is of a different nature than factual errors with the marking, as the only things I can deal with by myself are such concrete queries.