Tips and tricks 6: Exams @ KU Leuven Monday December 8th 2014 • KU Leuven examination regulations Clothilde Smedts (instead of Toon Boon) Organisation of Teaching and Learning Processes - General Process Coordination • The role of the ombudsperson Bert Kwanten Ombudsperson Faculty of Bioscience Engineering • Cultural differences in evaluation, style and expectations Karel Joos Study Advice Service Tips and tricks 6: Exams @ KU Leuven : Cultural Differences in Evaluation, Style and Expectations 8/12/’14 Karel Joos Study Advice Service Content of this session • • • • • • Introduction Different examination formats Grading Cultural differences? Consultation of results Contact Introduction Introduction • Cultural differences Exam expectations o How to pass exams o Focus of this session : oral exams • Similar expectations (whole K.U.Leuven)? o No, o but +/- consensus o Different examination formats Different examinations • Oral • Written Open questions o Multiple choice • Paper • Presentation o Oral exam : progress (1) • Classroom • Materials : • • • • • • student card paper, pen mobile phone (in bag) (open book – closed book) (normally no food) (dictionary - F.i. Social sc : translation dictionary, no explanatory dictionary - Law : allowed only for Erasmus, not for degree seeking student) • Questions o o 2-3 questions on cards knowledge - exercises Oral exam : progress (2) • Preparation time : Human sciences : 30’ o Exact sciences : sometimes 4 h o Schematic outline • Presenting (+/- 15’) o Oral presentation or prof reads written preparation o Goal of additional questions? o Prof stops you? o No feedback! (facial expression, ‘ok’, marks) o Oral exam : Tips • • • • • • Structuring your answer Repeating question in own words Non-verbal communication Meeting Dress code Reliability? Written exam : essay questions • Reading the question carefully “why” vs “how” o “What’s the theoretical relevance of ….” Draft in keywords Situating answer o broader context, background info, refer to table of content : o “In general …”, “specifically the theoretical consequences …” Not : just showing knowledge, always relevant for question Structure … o • • • • Written exam : essay questions • Structure : o Possible scheme • Broader context : • Specific answer : • Consequences : o Making structure explicit Written exam : multiple choice • Multiple choice = one choice (single choice exam) o Multiple alternatives • Correction for guessing • Count, different phases 1. Know the correct alternative 2. 2 alternatives left 3. 3 alternatives left 4. 4 alternatives left = pure guessing • Common sense : example Multiple choice • Wich problem Carter explains concerning the FAZ-theory? 1. 2. 3. 4. The theory is in contradiction with the law of DUM The theory is based on the FOL-theory The theory has a high predictive value The theory is able to explain the new facts Multiple choice • Wich problem Carter explains concerning the FAZ-theory? 1. 2. 3. 4. The theory is in contradiction with the law of DUM The theory is based on the FOL-theory The theory has a high predictive value The theory is able to explain the new facts Papers • Independant working • Starting from keywords • Sources and referring o o o o o Hot topic at K.U.Leuven Required in scientific writing (better too much than not enough) Within text quotations, reference list Plagiarism : www.kuleuven.be/plagiarism Not : general knowledge • Appears in more than 5 independant sources ( http://educatie-en-school.infonu.nl/studievaardigheden/98468zo-voorkom-je-plagiaat.html ) Grading Grading (mere indication of what to expect in general) Mark Transcript US ECTS % of succesfull Your answer 20 Outstanding A+ A 10% Exceptional, additional analyses, additional information Very good A B 25% 19 18 17 16 15 Good A- 14 13 Above average Satisfactory 10 30% D 25% B 12 11 C Own examples, counter examples, comparisons, critics, applications B-C+ C E 10% Structuring answer Memorizing literally, basic understanding 8-9 Insufficient D Superficial knowledgecomprehension 0-7 Very insufficient F Lack of knowledgecomprehension 1400 Marks Exams International Students (n=11.454) 1200 Exams 1000 800 600 400 200 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Marks Marks • Average : 12/20 • • • • 0 – 9 : 25% 10 – 14 : 50% 15 or more : 25% 20/20 : only 0.2% Cultural differences Cultural differences? • Selection at the beginning of programme + selection during the programme • Grading • No information about results after oral exam • Looking for statements with an argumentation Consultation of results Contact o Study Advice Service Naamsestraat 80 3000 Leuven 016/32 43 11 www.kuleuven.be/studyadvice o [email protected] Succes!!