MSAP!!!!!

ITS_A_BADGER · 07-02-2012 3:53pm #1

Okay guys whos signed up for the MSAP on Feb 18th
Im kinda nervous about it as its not really something you can study for only look at sample questions kinda thing.

And people that done the MSAP what would you reccomend looking at or doing in advance and what would be the ideal time frame for each section ?

Thanks

ITS_A_BADGER · 09-02-2012 9:52am

really no one on here is doing the MSAP ??

Larianne · 09-02-2012 11:54am

Maybe they are all busy looking at the sample papers?? :pac:

If you do a search of this forum you should come across some threads on it. I'm pretty sure there was a big thread a year or two ago on it.

Best of luck!!

Fatboydim · 11-02-2012 1:22pm

I am Badger... And even though I earn my living as a writer and I am assured it shouldn't be a problem. I'm bricking it. LOL

Ireland21 · 14-02-2012 9:59pm

Hey,

I am registered to do the MSAP exam too on February 18th. Their doses not seem to be a lot of preparation that you can do for it.

I bought the example MSAP Question booklet, which explains the layout of the exam etc. Have a look at the preparation section of the MSAP website, it seems like it is much the same.

http://msap.acer.edu.au/preparation

ITS_A_BADGER · 15-02-2012 1:26pm

cheers lad im doing it in galway actually kinda nervous as the day draws nearer

Ireland21 · 15-02-2012 5:44pm

No worries man.

I am doing it in Galway. I will be pretty happy when it is all over.

Bobby42 · 15-02-2012 6:02pm

Hi,

I did this exam two years ago so I understand how to feel.

The best advice I can offer is go over some of the example papers over and over again. Really familiarise yourself with the layout of the paper.

Especially the multiple choice questions. If you go over them a few times you begin to "get" the logic they're looking for. Time yourself as well. you only have a minute or so per question.

Best of luck!

ronano · 15-02-2012 7:26pm

Essay wise should you frame it like an academic essay, intro - points - conclusion?

Fatboydim · 15-02-2012 7:44pm

I'm in Galway as well... BTW if you have the sample booklet... do you understand the table for Q 20 -23. Re: Human Capital?

sara1 · 15-02-2012 9:41pm

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ITS_A_BADGER · 15-02-2012 10:02pm

i know what ya mean after reading the way some of the excerpts are worded in section 2 i hope they dont expect the essays to be written that way like. in the end tho i feel like one cant really prepare for the exam, only just look at the sample questions and try to understand them as best you can.

section 1 is just writing and how well you can convince someone that your argument is the correct one to choose thats the way i think of it at least

Fatboydim · 16-02-2012 3:51pm

It seems archaic to go back to pen and paper for writing an essay. My hand actually aches from writing... How bizarre is that?

sara1 · 16-02-2012 8:49pm

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Fatboydim · 17-02-2012 11:03am

@Sara - I'm spending the day researching some quotes about things like Religion, Crime, Capitalism, etc...

Think of some issues and just get in the mode of writing about them. As an example -

Is religion still pertinent in a modern society?

Has technology made God redundant?

Does the economic slow down have an effect on crime rates.

That kind of thing...

We won't know until tomorrow what the questions are, but just getting your brain thinking that way may help.

Azures · 17-02-2012 11:22am

Fatboydim wrote: »

@Sara - I'm spending the day researching some quotes about things like Religion, Crime, Capitalism, etc...

Think of some issues and just get in the mode of writing about them. As an example -

Is religion still pertinent in a modern society?

Has technology made God redundant?

Does the economic slow down have an effect on crime rates.

That kind of thing...

We won't know until tomorrow what the questions are, but just getting your brain thinking that way may help.

This time tomorrow we'll know what the questions are!
I'm practising planning essays, based on the sample questions, just to focus on reading the question and coming up
With a structured answer. The content is any one's guess- but we can practise technique -
The poetry has me though- I write poetry but in the sample test in the book and on- line I scored 0 for poetry!

Good luck everyone!

dougiex06 · 17-02-2012 2:05pm

Hay Guys,

I'm doing the msap tomorrow in Dublin. A bit nervous I have to say. I didn't get the booklet myself I've just been doing the sample papers from the website over and over and I routed out some English past papers which have a similar structure to section 2 and what not. The first time I timed myself on section two it nearly took me an hour and a half, I feel time management is going to play a big part. I'm a slow enough reader and some of the extracts and long enough considering they only have 3-5 questions.

Seems like there is a lot of competition for places this year so I hope I have the thinking cap on. Best of luck to everyone doing it anyway. See you all on the other side to see what you thought of it.

Fatboydim · 17-02-2012 4:21pm

Anyone have an idea how many words the essays are expected to be. I know they say quality not quantity... But obviously there is an average... would that be 800 words a 1000 - two sides of A4 three / four. Any advice appreciated.

trixie_belle12 · 18-02-2012 3:08pm

Did the test in Cork this morning. Not used to all that writing! Thought it was tough enough but not too bad either. Hopefully did ok. I'd say I wrote about 3.5 pages per question for the essays. Some of the multiple choice ones were pretty tough I thought. How did everyone else get on?

dougiex06 · 18-02-2012 3:56pm

trixie_belle12 wrote: »

Did the test in Cork this morning. Not used to all that writing! Thought it was tough enough but not too bad either. Hopefully did ok. I'd say I wrote about 3.5 pages per question for the essays. Some of the multiple choice ones were pretty tough I thought. How did everyone else get on?

Hay,

I done it myself in dublin, I only got 2 pages per essay, maybe even less. Decent topics but I felt it was hard enough to come up with an essay, structure it and wrote it in a half hour, sure you can only do what you can I suppose! Section two was also tough, narrowed nearly every question down to two possible answers - then for a lot of them it was a stab unfortunately. Any idea when the results are?!

trixie_belle12 · 18-02-2012 4:16pm

Yeah the time constraints made it difficult to plan and write x 2 essays in the hour for sure. Was jumping around the 2nd part for ages answering the easier ones first, the last few were kind of chancing it a bit! I think on the website it says 6 weeks. There's only 10 places on the course I want for mature students so dunno what the odds are really there was a good number there today! Delighted it's over now though

ITS_A_BADGER · 18-02-2012 5:12pm

did mine in galway today thank god im just home now, howd everone get on?
the written part i got 2 pages written for section one part A and 2 for part B i chose the consumers using up resources and the heroes that go without recognition

Section B i thought was touch and go i chanced my arm at few a few of them overall i thought it was ok tho what did you guys think?

madaload · 18-02-2012 5:45pm

I sat the test this morning in Cork. I must say I am utterly disappointed with how I did. :eek:

I didn’t complete the second essay and I ran out of time before I could complete Section 2, so I ended up completing it lottery ticket style. No idea what happened in there, except that I’m not used to write by hand. Although English isn’t my first language I expected I’d do much better. I’m arguing public affairs in English on an almost daily basis, but this morning my mind just went blank.

I also agree with what somebody here said about the 2011 MSAP test, namely, that the sample test is nothing compared to the real thing. I only got 3 answers wrong in the sample but struggled all the way through the real one. I can’t even blame it on distractions, because I wasn't distracted by anybody or anything and I felt quite relaxed. I guess I'm just too slow.

I have a bit of advice for anyone planning to sit the test next year. Read to expand your vocabulary and practice writing essays. Focus on structure and time management. I couldn’t do either.

sara1 · 18-02-2012 6:02pm

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iwantadonkey · 18-02-2012 6:02pm

also sat it in cork this morning.
i found the essay section grand, finished both in the time frame. i wrote about 3 pages for each topic.
section 2 was very difficult i think. we had done a practice MSAP in college a few weeks ago and i got a good enough score but it was much easier than the one today.:(

trixie_belle12 · 18-02-2012 6:03pm

madaload wrote: »

I sat the test this morning in Cork. I must say I am utterly disappointed with how I did. :eek:

I didn’t complete the second essay and I ran out of time before I could complete Section 2, so I ended up completing it lottery ticket style. No idea what happened in there, except that I’m not used to write by hand. Although English isn’t my first language I expected I’d do much better. I’m arguing public affairs in English on an almost daily basis, but this morning my mind just went blank.

I also agree with what somebody here said about the 2011 MSAP test, namely, that the sample test is nothing compared to the real thing. I only got 3 answers wrong in the sample but struggled all the way through the real one. I can’t even blame it on distractions, because I wasn't distracted by anybody or anything and I felt quite relaxed. I guess I'm just too slow.

I have a bit of advice for anyone planning to sit the test next year. Read to expand your vocabulary and practice writing essays. Focus on structure and time management. I couldn’t do either.

Hey. Sorry to hear it didn't go so well for you. Did you make a start on the 2nd essay? You're advice is very valid. Particularly so for people out of the education system for a while. I just found even writing so much in a short space of time quite difficult. As one of the other posters said above the timeframe was quite short within which to structure and write 2 essays.

You never know anyway you may have done better than you think! :rolleyes:

Fatboydim · 18-02-2012 6:32pm

It was sunshine all the way into Galway... and rain in all the way home... which kind of summed it up.

I hate environmental topics. So the part A essay was a nightmare for me. I know enough to make a decent stab at it, but it's just not something I'm passionate about. I wrote 3.5 pages.

The second essay was a lot more fun and I actually ran out of paper, so ended up writing the last paragraph on the pack of the booklet.

The multiple choice questions I thought were considerably harder than the sample questions from the booklet and website. Some of the answers didn't seem appropriate to me at all.: like the axis on the diagram from top to bottom.

I can only think that this is a deliberate ploy on the part of the examiners. Though personally it would have been useful to have had, ask the audience, and phone a friend. Most of the questions you could at least get a 50 / 50.

I'm confident that I'm no moron, but I really have no idea how I did.:o

madaload · 18-02-2012 6:45pm

trixie_belle12 wrote: »

Hey. Sorry to hear it didn't go so well for you. Did you make a start on the 2nd essay? You're advice is very valid. Particularly so for people out of the education system for a while. I just found even writing so much in a short space of time quite difficult. As one of the other posters said above the timeframe was quite short within which to structure and write 2 essays.

You never know anyway you may have done better than you think! :rolleyes:

Hi, trixie_belle!
I did start on the 2nd essay, but I really expected to finish it and make it good if not great. I consider public affairs and sociology my strong suit and usually I have a lot to say on the topic. Given my aspirations I sholdn't have had much trouble with the second section either. I found it difficult to concentrate on those short pieces of writings. I read the words, but they had no mening. It's like when you're listening, but not hearing, if you get my meaning. See now I can even rhyme

But you're right. Being out of the education system for a while makes it a bit of a challenge. I bet I'll see the bright side of it all by tomorrow morning, but right now I feel dissapointed and I wanted to share my frustration. It may comfort others who read this board and and feel like they're the only ones who messed up, because they're not. When it's not your day, it's just not your day.

Congrats to all who did good and fingers crossed for the rest

sara1 · 18-02-2012 6:57pm

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Dunner1 · 18-02-2012 9:21pm

Hey guys, did the msap today in Dublin, feel like I made a total mess of the whole thing, how did everyone get on ?

iwantadonkey · 18-02-2012 9:46pm

did we all do the same paper?

Dunner1 · 18-02-2012 9:54pm

iwantadonkey wrote: »

did we all do the same paper?

Yep to the best of my knowledge we all did the same paper , how did you get on?

trixie_belle12 · 18-02-2012 10:16pm

Dunner1 wrote: »

Hey guys, did the msap today in Dublin, feel like I made a total mess of the whole thing, how did everyone get on ?

THought it was tough enough. The times for the essays were pretty short and the multiple choice were hard enough going. What did you find most difficult?

Sul · 18-02-2012 10:36pm

I also took the exam today in Dublin. I found the essays an absolute nightmare!! I only managed about 2 pages for each and it was very basic writing. My writing was also appalling! I think it is unfair the little time they allocate. They could at least give 10 minutes for you to write down any ideas you may have. 30 minutes for an essay is a stretch.
On the other hand I thought the multiple choice were a breeze. The only one I really stumbled on was the risk question, the rest were grand. I thought they were much easier to understand than the practise questions. I could interpret them just fine so im hoping that the multiple choice section will be good enough to carry both.
I dont think any of it is set out to catch you out though. I think they just want to see can you understand and put across your point in basic English.
Good luck to everyone!!

iwantadonkey · 18-02-2012 10:46pm

Dunner1 wrote: »

Yep to the best of my knowledge we all did the same paper , how did you get on?

oh man i struggled with the second part.:( how about you? i think if there was even a ten minute break between the sections it would have helped. i just couldnt focus.
i suppose we should just all stay calm until we get the results.:o

Dunner1 · 18-02-2012 10:53pm

trixie_belle12 wrote: »

Dunner1 wrote: »

Hey guys, did the msap today in Dublin, feel like I made a total mess of the whole thing, how did everyone get on ?

THought it was tough enough. The times for the essays were pretty short and the multiple choice were hard enough going. What did you find most difficult?

Managed to get both essays finished only did a page and three quarters for each one just seemed to really struggle the question with shakesphere really threw me and knocked my confidence big time.

trixie_belle12 · 18-02-2012 11:04pm

@Dunner1, i know that was a tough one along with some of the others. Still I suppose it's out of our hands now - fingers crossed eh

Dunner1 · 18-02-2012 11:07pm

trixie_belle12 wrote: »

@Dunner1, i know that was a tough one along with some of the others. Still I suppose it's out of our hands now - fingers crossed eh

Yep hope u do well and get the course that u want.

trixie_belle12 · 18-02-2012 11:12pm

Dunner1 wrote: »

Yep hope u do well and get the course that u want.

Thanks, same to you.

SolasNaGreine · 15-03-2012 7:02pm

Hi just found this thread. Thought the real exam was more difficult than the practise exam too. Think it's a disgrace that the practise run isn't a true reflection of the exam on the day, even so much as the extra units (9 on the practise - 11 on the actual test).

Haven't a clue how well I did. Essays didn't seem too bad and being honest I was more worried about the essays than I was the comprehension side of things. Did the MSAP practise test and at least 20 practise tests with Kaplan SAT GAMSAT and others that I found on the internet ... the difference in difficulty was huge if you ask me. Wish I was in America!!!!!

Almost 4 weeks have passed now and I'm absolutely sick to the stomach, I don't believe I have ever felt so sick in all my life. 2 weeks to go!!

[Jackass] · 19-03-2012 12:29am

I did this last year, and for everyone who did it, I thought the multiple choice part was bizzare and very difficult, and the essay was just pure waffle, but I just mainly focused on trying to structure it properly rather than worry about the content.

But anyway, I ended up doing quite well in it, despite all the worry and literally not having a clue on whether I got everything wrong or what, so my advice would be don't worry and if you're worried, don't be, you probably did grand, it's just one of the biggest melt the head things you'll ever do....

SolasNaGreine · 21-03-2012 9:40pm

Thanks for that Jackass and congrats

anfield bound · 22-03-2012 12:38am

I, for one, know that I absolutely bombed this thing. Essays were a total shambles, got a page and a half of poorly structured crap down for one and two pages of slightly better content, but even worse structure down for the other. As for the multiple choice..meh, could go either way. That axis graph question towards the end was hilarious guesswork though! Am I correct in thinking we should be getting results around the end of this month/ very early april?

Muir · 22-03-2012 6:57pm

Well on the MSAP site it says don't start emailing them about results until the beginning of April, which suggests that they will be available by then.

anfield bound · 22-03-2012 7:06pm

good stuff. Does anyone know if a poor MSAP result automatically disqualifies you from consideration? Just wondering whether they'd also take a well written personal statement into account or is the MSAP the be all and end all?

Bobby42 · 22-03-2012 10:38pm

I know that if you get a percentile less than thirty they don't give you a result. It just says less than 30th percentile. If MSAP is the only thing being considered I'd doubt a result like that would get someone in.

For my course I focused on making a solid personal statement that would stand out. My results were in the 69th percentile. I was disappointed with this as I thought I need much higher to get into UCD. But they obviously took my personal statement into consideration as I got in.

I wouldn't loose hope if you're not happy with your result, if you put in a good personal statement you're still in with a shot.

Best of luck everyone.

GSOIRL · 23-03-2012 1:07am

anfield bound wrote: »

good stuff. Does anyone know if a poor MSAP result automatically disqualifies you from consideration? Just wondering whether they'd also take a well written personal statement into account or is the MSAP the be all and end all?

I wouldn't worry too much about the results. I did the MSAP a couple of years ago and am now in 2nd year of college. The fact that you even knew that your structure was poor puts you in a better position than I was in. I didn't know how to write an essay. I took a course when I started college but I'm still learning.

Oh I did so bad in the essay part that I didn't get a percentile, just told bottom 30%. I did however do well in the other part which brought my score up but I don't think that every course in every college takes much notice of the MSAP so don't worry too much. It's done now so nothing you can do about it.

SolasNaGreine · 26-03-2012 5:07pm

It's usually around the end of March from what I can gather from other years.

For the majority of courses the result isn't the be end of all end, interviews, experience and previous education are all big factors in the decision making process.

ronano · 30-03-2012 1:29pm

got results jsut there but says n/a for score 3? what was score 3?

Fatboydim · 30-03-2012 1:35pm

My scores:

Score 1 131 Score 2 139 Score 3 n/a Overall 135

Not sure what it means so will have to look it up. Fortunately for me it's irrelevant as I've been offered a place on an MA course... However unfortunately for me I still have to pass the qualifying exam for that.

I think score 3 will be the percentile once they have worked it out.

Azures · 30-03-2012 2:40pm

MSAP results are in! Do we get an email from Acer as well or do we have to work out the percentage ourselves? Hard to know without the range- is it defo scaled to 150?

MSAP!!!!!

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