At Middlesex we have durations of
1hr
1hr 30 mins
2 hrs
2 hrs 30
3 hrs
These are the only exam times that are permitted, historically we had various amount of durations and this was unmanageable, therefore only the above exam durations are now permitted.
We endeavour not to mix durations however, especially during re-sit periods this is unavoidable. Therefore the invigilators place the longest duration exam farthest from the door and announce at the beginning of the exam that there are exams of mixed durations occurring and that students will be leaving; we also announce when there are ten minutes remaining and of course the invigilators have to clearly announce which exam they are referring to.
To date this has not caused any problems, this is probably due to our largest venue only holding 100 students.
Joanne Moles
Examinations Office Manager
Middlesex University
The Burroughs
London NW4 4BT
0208 411 6757
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http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/exams/index.aspx
-----Original Message-----
From: ARC Assessment Practitioners Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kathryn Connor
Sent: 26 October 2012 13:57
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Exam Durations
Dear All,
We had 13 different examination durations in operation last year, and as we held our examinations in three large venues which accommodated between 500 and 1,000 per session, scheduling papers of mixed duration proved unavoidable. From 2013 onwards we’ll be holding all of our examinations in one large venue (capacity - 1,600 per session), which will leave us with even less scope for limiting the number of mixed duration examinations held at any one time.
In order to minimise the disruption caused by large groups of students leaving at 10, 15 and/or 30 minute intervals, we’ve recommended to departments that, in 2012/13, only examinations ending on the hour or half hour be allowed, with a move in 2013/14 to two or three hour examinations only. Whilst most of the College is able to comply with this, there are pockets of resistance (some with good reason).
In order to inform the ongoing discussion/debate about this issue here at KCL, I’d like to find out what happens elsewhere. Could you let me know how many different examination durations you have, and how you manage these if, like us, you use large examination venues.
Many thanks,
Kathryn
****************************
Kathryn Connor
Head of Examinations and Awards
Examinations and Awards Office
7.29 James Clerk Maxwell Building
King's College London
57 Waterloo Road
London
SE1 8WA
Tel: 020 7848 3395
Fax: 020 7848 3379
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