How do exams at university work?

tanyapotter

What is their format and how different from A-levels are they? Also, how are you graded?

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 1

bittr n swt

Depends on the uni and course, be specific

Reply 2

tanyapotter

Original post by bittr n swt

Depends on the uni and course, be specific

Okay, for example mechanical engineering at University College?

Reply 3

FireGarden

Original post by tanyapotter

Okay, for example mechanical engineering at University College?

My experience: Physics and Mathematics exams at Exeter, where a typical physics exam I could choose any 4 of 6 questions, each are 25%, and for a typical mathematics exam you'd have to do Section A for 50%, then choose 2 out of 3 in section B, 25% each. All exams bar one (general relativity) are 2 hours; (GR had 2 and a half, probably because the maths is mega time consuming).

Since your doing engineering, I would imagine it will follow these styles in some sense.

Edit: Oh, and you asked how they are different to A level. Some universities will let you see their exam papers. Cambridge, Oxford, Liverpool and Sheffield I know of at least.

Cam: http://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/undergrad/pastpapers/
Ox: http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/current-students/undergraduates/examinations/past-papers/part-a-2004
Liv: http://www.maths.liv.ac.uk/Past_Exams/
Shef: http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/past_papers.html

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 4

Kre

What do you mean by format? University exams are all set internally by your lecturers, unlike A-levels where you have exam boards setting the exams and marking them. They are then marked, and externally moderated. The highest mark is a first, then 2.1, 2.2, 3rd, pass then fail.