SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS

INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXAMINERS

- A COMMENTARY ON SETTING EXAM PAPERS

This note is intended to complement the document entitled "Instructions and Procedures ". The idea is to highlight sections of the document that are relevant to setting exam papers, together with a Quality Assurance requirement (ICA samples).

There are three sections (A, B, G) which are likely to require your attention in the next few weeks and which I would advise you to read. One section (C2) is useful as a guide to what we are trying to achieve in our exams. The other sections you are likely to need to look at more carefully later on, but a glance through will suffice for now.

Section A gives instructions on procedures which should be followed in setting exam papers. Subsection A1 lists the steps you have to go through, including arrangements for typing. Subsection A2 tells you the structure of the papers we prepare together with reference to a 'house style' used for our papers. Subsection A4 includes guidelines on setting papers. The default mode for typing is: in the General Office by a secretary using Microsoft Word. The LaTeX provision is offered in recognition of some people's preference for LaTeX as a working environment, but it isn't 'supported' (in the computer software sense) - all the documentation is in the style file and the example. Please do not use or construct your own style file. Please do not use LaTeX in order to save your secretary time!

Section B deals with security. The central issue here is that we have to ensure that our exam papers (and later exam marks) remain confidential. Students should not be able to walk into someone's office and find a copy of a paper for forthcoming exams. We also have to take reasonable steps to ensure that students cannot gain access to papers (and marks) held electronically. The rules/guidelines for Unix/Linux users might appear draconian, but they represent the most straightforward way of highlighting the relevant issues without writing a book! Please note the comment, though, that "you are welcome to discuss your situation with me if you are convinced that you have a secure environment not covered [in Section B]". (I have omiited a postscript from this version, for security reasons).

Section G deals with ICA samples. As part of our Quality Assurance procedures we are required to retain original projects and test papers for External Examiners. We are also required to provide copies of (samples of) in-course-assessment, whether these be projects, tests or routine homework. Section G tells you in detail what you need to do.

OHK 6/12/00