大学考试

What exams are there in British universities?

Every country's schools have exams. Exams are currently the only globally recognized and efficient means of assessing an individual's ability level in a particular field at a specific stage. Although exams have many drawbacks and may not comprehensively measure a person's true abilities due to various factors, they are universally acknowledged as effective and expedient tests. Exams come in various forms, such as high school entrance exams, medical licensing exams, accounting certification exams, language proficiency exams, and so on.

In domestic universities (referring to universities in China), exams generally consist of written exams and interviews. Interviews are usually conducted as graduation defenses, and there are usually no exams other than job-related interviews in regular circumstances. Most written exams are closed-book exams, with very few open-book exams.

Exam classifications in British universities:

1. Written Exams (Exam)
        Written exams are generally categorized as closed-book exams and open-book      exams. In a closed-book exam, students only need to bring pens and      identification to participate in the exam. In an open-book exam, you can      bring any printed materials, textbooks, notes, etc., but devices such as      phones, computers, tablets are not allowed. However, some exams in certain      departments of British universities may restrict students to only a few      sheets of fully handwritten notes or a single piece of reference material.      The specific arrangements depend on the exam requirements for each      subject, so it's advisable to inquire with your teachers in advance.      Calculators are allowed in some subjects, such as finance and accounting      exams.

I'd like to remind you that whether it's a closed-book or open-book exam, when writing lengthy discussions or answers on the exam paper, you must provide references, which means you need to not only review the answers but also memorize and include references in your responses. References are not long strings of text but rather include the author's name, publication date of the book, and, if applicable, page numbers. For example, "Everyone loves her (Miao, 1996, p.11)" or "Miao (1996) mentioned that everyone loves her." In most open-book exams, English dictionaries are allowed, but the teacher may collect your dictionary and keep it at the lectern or elsewhere for a certain period of time after the exam starts. So, you can only use the dictionary for a brief period of time, depending on the specific requirements of your subject and the teacher. You can ask your teacher in advance whether you can bring a dictionary for the open-book exam and how long you can use it.

Regarding the specifics of references, how to write them, the format, and what to pay attention to, there are strategy articles written earlier.

2. Presentation Exams
        There was a separate section discussing the specifics of presentation      exams, including what a presentation is, how to prepare for a      presentation, and important considerations. I won't repeat that here.

Presentation exams are not very common in domestic universities, but they are a regular occurrence in British universities, often taking place multiple times within a semester.

Presentation exams can be divided into individual presentations and group presentations. Individual presentations involve standing alone at the lectern and delivering a speech, where you independently present your work, such as a PowerPoint presentation. For architecture students, if photos and animations cannot be demonstrated, you can also bring your own physical models and quickly demonstrate them during the presentation. Group presentations involve several people forming a group, collaboratively completing all the content, and each group member giving a speech. During the presentation, it's important to stay focused on the topic and manage the time effectively.

The requirements for presentations will be communicated by the teachers either in class or through the university's student website a few weeks in advance, sometimes even at the beginning of the course. This provides sufficient time for preparation, as long as you don't procrastinate until the last moment.

 

3. Dissertation
        Dissertations are the most common examinations in British universities.      There was a guide earlier on how to write a British dissertation, so you      can take a look at that for more details. Essentially, almost every      subject will require a dissertation as an assignment, with some ranging      around a few thousand words, while a graduation dissertation may require      over ten thousand words.

Dissertations can be categorized as individual dissertations and group dissertations. An individual dissertation is completed independently, while a group dissertation involves collaborative work.

Ten Sheng Miao reminds you that whether it's a group presentation or a group dissertation, it's important to find highly capable and knowledgeable individuals to form a group. It's advisable to avoid being in a group with unfamiliar members or individuals whose abilities are significantly different, as it can lead to frustration. If you encounter uncooperative groupmates, it can be exhausting and painful. They may be absent during discussions, fail to complete their assigned tasks, or produce poor-quality work, requiring others to redo their portion. They might inform you about their inability to contribute or other issues only at the last moment before the deadline. They may also provide suggestions that disrupt the correct direction of your work, among other things.

4. Interviews
        Some majors in British universities include interview examinations, where      the interview score contributes to the overall grade for that subject.      These interviews generally involve simulating specific scenarios, with      teachers or other students engaging in interactive communication with you.      For example, it could be simulating a job interview for an individual or a      group interview, where you imagine yourselves as part of a multinational      company facing a particular problem. In such cases, you need to prepare      detailed outlines in advance, assign roles, identify solutions proposed by      various departments, discuss the pros and cons, and engage in a      comprehensive examination of leadership, teamwork, communication, critical      thinking, language skills, and body language.

5. Internships
        Internships can be short-term or long-term, depending on the requirements      set by your major's professors. Not all types of internships are accepted;      they need to align with the theme of your studies. Internships are also      graded and contribute to your overall subject score. Nowadays, many majors      in British universities provide internship opportunities within the      country. You can either find an internship yourself or seek assistance      from the university.

6. Online Assignments
        Some majors in British universities assign online assignments through the      student portal. The portal displays specific completion times and duration      of completed tasks. If the completion time exceeds the allowed limit, you      know what happens. There are also online discussions related to other      students' assignments, which teachers can monitor. I have encountered such      a situation once. Forgetting students can redo their assignments without      failing the subject, but if the assignment was given one or two months in      advance and had a clear deadline, failing would be the consequence, and      they would have to wait for a makeup exam.