Exam Help Needed

[hammerman]

Im about to sit my RHS level 3 garden design exams and we've been going through old exam papers as revision.

Now some of the questions are so vaguely written that we are all (including our lecturer) scratching our heads when the answers are read out.

For example, a question such as "Name two plants that will grow on clay" could be answered with just two names such as Camelia japonica and Acer palmatum.

However, when it goes to the answers, it said that the most points were given to candidates who gave names, cultivars, drew diagrams and god know's what else....even though the question just asked for 2 names.

Now is it possible (under the freedom of imformation act ???) to see my exam paper after it's been marked and could you appeal against such marking.

I hope this is in the right place....the question above is just an example, there are a lot worse !!!!

Thanks in advance

[factor-fiction]

I agree that the questions don't seem to make it clear what's needed.

Do the questions specify the number of marks available for each question?

That usually gives an indication of the depth of answer needed.

Or do they leave a space for the answer- usually a one line space suggests a short answer is needed or a ten line gap suggests more info is needed.

Most exam boards have an appeals procedure, although they are looking more for accuracy and consistency in marking rather than whether the questions were fair.

[coccinelle]

I'd think the fact that the candidate had time in the exam to lengthen his answers would produce more marks. The person who would only write the two names would be correct but extra points would be given for the student who could elaborate. That's just my opinion though.

[coccinelle]

To add to my answer. I remember my maths papers where I could give the right answer but as it was done mentally I couldn't show how I came to that conclusion. The candidates who could show each step, but got the answer wrong got higher points than I did....

[factor-fiction]

That shouldn't be the case nowadays on a maths paper, coccinnelle. Examiners will give full marks if the correct answer is shown, but it's strongly advisable to show all your working as you can get some marks or most of the marks for a incorrect final answer if your method is right or you correctly do some of the intermediate calculations

[hammerman]

So would i be allowed by law under the freedom of information act to see my marked exam paper ???

[factor-fiction]

Your lecturers will know or you could ask the exam board.
You can an appeal and ask for a re-mark but there would probably be a fee. I'm not sure that you have a right under the FoIA to see your marked paper. But for now I would focus on passing

[Ellipsis]

I would go with factor's first response, the key bits being:

> Do the questions specify the number of marks available for each question?
> That usually gives an indication of the depth of answer needed.
> Or do they leave a space for the answer- usually a one line space suggests a short answer is needed or a ten line gap suggests more info is needed.