SORA’s iBSc exam guide Liam Couch 1st February 2017

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Exams 3* 3 hour papers (1 for each module) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the week beginning the 20th February Each paper is broken down into sections A, B & C A = Essay question (choose 1 out of 3) 1h15m B = Data interpretation (no choice) 1h C = SAQ (choose 3 out of 5) 45m

It’s a numbers game Part B: (60%) (S&P 5%) 20% module 1 20% module 2 14% exam 6% ICA 20% module 2 20% module 3 Part C: (40%) 8% Oral presentation 4% Performance throughout project 28% Project write-up (S&P 5%) 1 = 70%< 2.1 = 60-69.9% 2.2 = 50-59.9% 3 = 40-49.9% Pass = Examiners decision

Bad analogies Critical analysis 1st 2.1 2.2 Critical analysis Synthesis from multiple lecture/modules Bringing in relevant literature Demonstrating understanding Information from lectures

Resources Lectures and lecturers… Your year group Year above Pubmed/library Practice essays and past paper questions

Part A - Essay Really think about the 3 questions, think before which topics you would prefer Plan at the beginning Logical content of an essay, introduction, body and conclusion Don’t blurt facts Combine content from one or (preferably) multiple lectures Demonstrate understanding Write scientifically Logical progression to your argument

Part B – Data analysis General reading helps Be concise in explanations, don’t waffle Be accurate in your descriptions Write scientifically Correctly differentiate between statistical differences and trends Call out bullshit Be prepared (hard to be) for abstracts, data interpretation, critical analysis…

Part C - SAQ Good old SAQ – more like medic exams Listing facts Bullet points great More black and white than an essay (and harder to score highly)

Questions? This will be more productive if you ask questions now Then we can discuss and everyone can benefit