Dear All

First, thanks to colleagues from Loughborough University, London Guildhall
University, Aston University, Chester College, Bradford University,
University of Nottingham and University of Wales Institute Cardiff for
their very helpful responses to my request for information on current
practice.

I was warned that a closing date of 14 August was too ambitious at this
time of year and I would be interested in hearing from further institutions
on their practices.  So, I wonder if anyone else who isn't allowed to go on
holiday right now could offer information on the following issues from the
perspective of their institution.  Perhaps I might look to mid-September as
the time to try to analyse the responses.

Thanks in advance.  So, the questions are:

1.   Are examination timetables done by academic departments or centrally?




2.   How far in advance are students notified of the examination timetable
and course work submission dates?




3.   What are the timescales for academics to submit examination question
papers?




4.   Are all scripts archived or only the sample which have been moderated
by the External?




5.   May students have access to see their scripts upon request?




6.   What training/induction do examiners receive and how often is the
exercise repeated during period of tenure, if at all?




7.   What feedback do external examiners get on their reports and in what
timescale?




8.   How are results processed, who prepares and enters assessment data? Is
there a common format for the preparation and production of the mark
matrices and who does these?




9.   How are results issued to students (e.g. letter or transcripts?  What
are the time   scales for notification of results?   What information do
transcripts contain?  Do      you notify students of the overall module
grade or of the grade for each component      of assessment (e.g. essay 1,
essay 2, examination)?




10.  Who sends out the transcripts?




11.  Who sets the dates of the examination boards?




12.  Who informs the External Examiner of the date of the board and how far
in advance is notification given?




13.  Who services the examination boards and who chairs them?




14.  Who undertakes administration of examination boards' consideration of
extenuating circumstances (e.g. central or departmental administrators)?




15.  How is debt dealt with now that the Data Protection Act makes
withholding results untenable?




16.  May Chair's Action be taken?  If so, how frequently and in what types
of situation?




17.  Does your examinations section run the awards ceremony (if not, where
is that responsibility located in your registry)?




18.  Does your examinations section have any involvement with franchise
centres (if you operate franchises)?




19.  Would you receive colleagues from UWCN to discuss these issues further
some time in session 2000/2001 (and if so who might we contact and what is
their phone number and email address)?





Thanks very much,



Paul




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