Correcting Junior & Leaving Cert Exams

ateam

How do you go about correcting these exams i.e. who do you contact?

slickmcvic

Get onto the state exams commission in athlone or check out their website....think the deadline has passed for applications....they are normally up in staffrooms around November Time
Corrected papers last Year....NEVER AGAIN!! Stuck inside on a scorching July working on tight deadlines from dusk till dawn and financially NOT worth it!!

spurious

The application forms are usually out just before the Christmas holidays.
Financially it's not really worth it (though the rates have increased considerably recently) and I dread to think how anyone with small children manages to do it, but I do it every so often just to keep up to date with standards nationally. It is three weeks solid work and you will not get away with less than 6 hours at it a day. There are quite tight deadlines to meet so there is no chance of nipping off for a weekend anywhere. The security arrangements for the scripts have to be observed too, so you can't take them to the beach.

Some subjects have a very high turn over of personnel, so the SEC like to see familiar faces coming back. Personally, I like teaching very weak children and I try to get to correct the Ordinary Level Junior Cert. paper as my experience helps some kids get marks a teacher with different experience might not 'see'.

If you choose to do it next year, the main thing is to meet your deadlines and keep a close eye on your tots. The sample 20 and the first 100 papers seem to take forever to get through, but then you generally get going and can sometimes be in a position to take extra papers that other examiners are having trouble completing on time. Depending on your experience, you may also get the papers in the red packets from 'daoine faoi bhac' - I always enjoyed them.

There is no harm contacting the SEC and expressing an interest in working for them this year. Soime subjects are always stuck for examiners.

I think it's something every teacher should do at least once, otherwise you have no idea how your students' work will be marked.

It can also be an 'in' into many other areas of work in the SEC.

GAA widow

i corrected papers for a couple of years too - good for experience but there are easier ways to make money!

TheDriver

Its not good money if you are a full time teacher as its at 42% but if you are subbing abit or not worked a lot, then you make more money due to lower tax band.

slickmcvic

TheDriver wrote:

Its not good money if you are a full time teacher as its at 42% but if you are subbing abit or not worked a lot, then you make more money due to lower tax band.

.....wish that was true but last year i wasnt gettin paid holidays and they still taxed me at 42% even after they had my details!!.....In the middle of tryin to get taxback from it but i dunno will it happen cos the SEC dont issue P60's for the work

TheDriver

The SEC are the most incompetent shower, I sent in a form with my new address plastered all over it and they still sent it to my old address not to mention payment details and you can never find someone to talk to that wants to help.

gaeilgegrinds

Not worth it for the money...as for experience I always read the examiner's report now instead! Not worth it and until they realise the money is an insult, not doing it again!

Amtmann

About marking papers, does one need to have any previous teaching experience? For instance, I've a 1:1 degree in History; am I currently eligible to grade LC (or JC) scripts?

spurious

I think they like to have experienced examiners do Leaving Cert., but Junior Cert. certainly. The standard of degree you have makes no difference really.

There is traditionally a high turnover in History, so contact the SEC and see how you go.

cuddlesk

does the same examiner correct all junior cert subject in the same school!

sitstill

cuddlesk wrote: »

does the same examiner correct all junior cert subject in the same school!

No.. An examiner corrects a bunch of exams of one subject and they're never told what school the exams are from.

spurious

You are also guaranteed not to get scripts from the school you teach in. On application, you have to declare if you have any children or relatives sitting the exam and they will make sure you do not get scripts from those centres either.

cuddlesk

but does one school go to the same examiner!

GERMAN ROCKS

how much do you get paid per paper now before tax for example german

spurious

cuddlesk wrote: »

but does one school go to the same examiner!

Each centre goes to one examiner, apart from scripts where the person has perhaps recorded their answers on tape or has had some other special arrangement. This means that (for example) should someone have copied the essay of a candidate beside them, an examiner will be able to spot it and he/she is required to report their suspicions and the 'suspect' numbers to the Chief Advising Examiner. They will then consult the seating map which all superintendents have to draw for each exam and if action needs to be taken they will decide on what to do.

Some schools will have more than one centre. In general, all a school's centres will go to the one examiner, but it depends where the lists have been divided and a school might be split between two corrector's bags.

ateam

€5.83 per paper for junior cert history(before tax).

ateam

Anyone else going to the history conference on Thursday and Friday or any conference? This is my first one. What happens at it? I know it's starts at 10, how long does it go on for? Is there food there?

rainbowtrout

ateam wrote: »

Anyone else going to the history conference on Thursday and Friday or any conference? This is my first one. What happens at it? I know it's starts at 10, how long does it go on for? Is there food there?

Normally what happens (for Junior Science and LC Ag Science anyway) is that tea and biscuits are provided(most important). They will probably spend the first day going through the marking scheme, and other possible answers will be debated and added in or removed etc etc, that will take most of the day. On the second day if the scheme hasn't been finished continue with it, then you will get some photocopied scripts (everyone gets the same) and you will get some practice at correcting them and they go through those scripts so everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet so to speak, they'll probably do a bit of paper work as well and you will meet your advising examiner who you are answerable to for the next couple of weeks. Then off to the SEC that afternoon to collect your scripts!

sitstill

ateam wrote: »

Anyone else going to the history conference on Thursday and Friday or any conference? This is my first one. What happens at it? I know it's starts at 10, how long does it go on for? Is there food there?

How did you get on? What's it like? I have mine this Wed and Thurs for CSPE. Did they tell you what the advance pay is going to be?

irishgirl08xx

In my irish paper 2 in the junior cert, i ticked the "answer through english" box instead of irish. will i still get marked?? reply asap.

sitstill

irishgirl08xx wrote: »

In my irish paper 2 in the junior cert, i ticked the "answer through english" box instead of irish. will i still get marked?? reply asap.

As long as you actually answered through Irish you should be fine. The examiner will understand that it was a mistake.

irishgirl08xx

sitstill wrote: »

As long as you actually answered through Irish you should be fine. The examiner will understand that it was a mistake.

ok..thanks!! i was so worried..!!!

ateam

How's the correcting going for the correctors?

Have people received their advance payment yet? My conference ended last Friday and I've got nothing yet.

rainbowtrout

ateam wrote: »

How's the correcting going for the correctors?

Have people received their advance payment yet? My conference ended last Friday and I've got nothing yet.

I had my conference on monday and tuesday so have been correcting the last three days and i'm sick of it already. this is my 7th year doing it...

i haven't got my advance yet either. i'm not going to worry about it, it'll arrive at some stage.

sitstill

I had my conference on Wed and Thurs. This is my first time doing it and think it'll be my last. I had no idea I'd have this many (nearly 400!) and I already hate it... but another month nearly to go!

They said we'd get the advance payment within 3 days. Is that just wishful thinking?

ateam

sitstill wrote: »

I had my conference on Wed and Thurs. This is my first time doing it and think it'll be my last. I had no idea I'd have this many (nearly 400!) and I already hate it... but another month nearly to go!

They said we'd get the advance payment within 3 days. Is that just wishful thinking?

I finished my conference last Friday and I haven't received anything yet. So I'm just waiting. I knew it was going to be around 400 scripts, did you not research it!

Ah I think the first 20 are the hardest, then you get used to it. But it's hard work.

rainbowtrout

sitstill wrote: »

They said we'd get the advance payment within 3 days. Is that just wishful thinking?

No, actually they are usually pretty efficient with advance payments

TheDriver

glutton for punishment, fair play to ye, couldn't do the correcting. hard enough corecting my own exams

sitstill

TheDriver wrote: »

glutton for punishment, fair play to ye, couldn't do the correcting. hard enough corecting my own exams

Totally. I don't see myself doing it again as I haven't enjoyed it at all. I do think it was good experience though so I'm glad I did it for that reason.

ateam

sitstill wrote: »

Totally. I don't see myself doing it again as I haven't enjoyed it at all. I do think it was good experience though so I'm glad I did it for that reason.

I finished my last script yesterday. It was a lot more paperwork than I expected and revisions are annoying. How many scripts were you correcting an hour?

littlebsci

Into my last 50 thank god, finished those by tomorrow at the latest. Lost the plot with it for two days this week and couldn't get through them at all but other than that I have to say I haven't found it too bad. When I set my mind to it I could get between 10 and 15 corrected in an hour so that makes it worth it. It's the report we have to do that I'm dreading, I know I'll spend far too long doing it.

partmak

If anybody received their advance payment, how much was it? Some people got like 500!:(

sitstill

I'll be finished them by the end of the week. Can't wait. I got my advance last Thurs, I got
E500, is that good or bad?

Toto Wolfcastle

Would people say it's worth doing once for the experience if not the money?

spurious

janeybabe wrote: »

Would people say it's worth doing once for the experience if not the money?

Absolutely.

It's actually worth doing more than once, though probably not in successive years - perhaps every seven years or so, just so you can let the horrid memories fade. Ideally try for the chance to correct your subject at all of the levels it is offered. The conference itself is also a useful experience in seeing how teacher input can 'help out' where a question has been particularly difficult or confusing for candidates.

Toto Wolfcastle

spurious wrote: »

Absolutely.

It's actually worth doing more than once, though probably not in successive years - perhaps every seven years or so, just so you can let the horrid memories fade. Ideally try for the chance to correct your subject at all of the levels it is offered. The conference itself is also a useful experience in seeing how teacher input can 'help out' where a question has been particularly difficult or confusing for candidates.

Lol sounds delightful! It's definitely something I'll try to do next year so.

littlebsci

janeybabe wrote: »

Would people say it's worth doing once for the experience if not the money?

Absolutely worth the experience and the money isn't all that bad either. Well it has worked out well for me, suppose it'd depend on what subject you're correcting though. This is the first time I've done it and it definitely opened my eyes to exactly how the subject is marked. Although we can all get the marking schemes I now really think it's not the same thing. Think I'll do it again next year.....providing I don't get a better offer!!

ateam

littlebsci wrote: »

Into my last 50 thank god, finished those by tomorrow at the latest. Lost the plot with it for two days this week and couldn't get through them at all but other than that I have to say I haven't found it too bad. When I set my mind to it I could get between 10 and 15 corrected in an hour so that makes it worth it. It's the report we have to do that I'm dreading, I know I'll spend far too long doing it.

You could get 10 to 15 corrected in an hour! That's 4 minutes per paper..what were you correcting foundation Irish!?

I could get about 6 to 8 corrected an hour, but some days there's paperwork, post office trips etc. I got my advance payment of €500.

What's everyone putting down for expenses?

rainbowtrout

i have just finished my second 200. 250 to go. so sick of it this year. this is my 7th year doing it, might give it a miss next year. Got an advance of €1200 (already spent!). I think €500 is usually given to new correctors and it increases if you do it in subsequent years. Think i'll move back to ordinary level if i do it again, higher level LC is not worth the hassle.

ateam

rainbowtrout wrote: »

i have just finished my second 200. 250 to go. so sick of it this year. this is my 7th year doing it, might give it a miss next year. Got an advance of €1200 (already spent!). I think €500 is usually given to new correctors and it increases if you do it in subsequent years. Think i'll move back to ordinary level if i do it again, higher level LC is not worth the hassle.

Wo what subject is it? 450 seems like a lot. Yeah ordinary level is almost the same money and half the work I'd say.

freire

littlebsci wrote: »

When I set my mind to it I could get between 10 and 15 corrected in an hour so that makes it worth it.

Ten to fifteen and hour seems like you got quite a mind to put to it - I can get through 40 in a day if I'm motivated but thats a lot of hours, probably 8 solid hours on the desk. Almost done now however.

sitstill

freire wrote: »

Ten to fifteen and hour seems like you got quite a mind to put to it - I can get through 40 in a day if I'm motivated but thats a lot of hours, probably 8 solid hours on the desk. Almost done now however.

40 a day! Thats loads! The most I can get through is 30 but I average about 25. I guess it depends on the subject and how much you put your mind to it though.

freire

sitstill wrote: »

40 a day! Thats loads! The most I can get through is 30 but I average about 25. I guess it depends on the subject and how much you put your mind to it though.

Yes Sitstill, it's a moxy load alright - but not every day - thats from 10 to 10 in the evening with a few breaks, worth it though to get through it but it's incredibly tiring on the bit of grey matter I've left. 25 would also be my average- it's JC Higher French so it's not the most taxing, just kinda monotonous and sometimes irritating if you ken.

partmak

rainbowtrout wrote: »

i have just finished my second 200. 250 to go. so sick of it this year. this is my 7th year doing it, might give it a miss next year. Got an advance of €1200 (already spent!). I think €500 is usually given to new correctors and it increases if you do it in subsequent years. Think i'll move back to ordinary level if i do it again, higher level LC is not worth the hassle.

is that mean new correctors will get paid less at the end as well?

MathsManiac

partmak wrote: »

is that mean new correctors will get paid less at the end as well?

No.

The advance is a percentage of what you got last year, if you did it last year, and otherwise €500.

Fees per script are the same for everyone at the same subject & level, and later you get the total less the advance.

littlebsci

freire wrote: »

Ten to fifteen and hour seems like you got quite a mind to put to it - I can get through 40 in a day if I'm motivated but thats a lot of hours, probably 8 solid hours on the desk. Almost done now however.

Well to be fair the subject I'm doing lends itself to quick enough correcting. On average I probably got in around ten done in an hour but naturally some hours only saw me correcting 5 or 6-it depended on the standard of answers I came up against. I still would only have done in the region of 30 each day, there's ony so much anyone can do before they go goggly eyed!!
It's not a case of me not doing a proper job by any means, I took what I was doing very seriously, as I already said I was just lucky enough to be doing a subject that could be corrected quickly enough if I had peace and quiet!

freire

littlebsci wrote: »

It's not a case of me not doing a proper job by any means, I took what I was doing very seriously

I'm not for a second questioning your commitment or professional standards - just saying respect to you for that rate of turnover - and you're correct on the goggly eyed observation, it sure fries the old brain.

Invaluable experience for future pedagogical endeavours however, very glad I did it and it should possibly be mandatory for all teachers to do at least once - sort of initiation or rite of passage! (not sure how that would go down with the wider teaching community though). Anyway it's pocket money for summer period. In other words, beer tokens. Well done all.

ateam

littlebsci wrote: »

Well to be fair the subject I'm doing lends itself to quick enough correcting. On average I probably got in around ten done in an hour but naturally some hours only saw me correcting 5 or 6-it depended on the standard of answers I came up against. I still would only have done in the region of 30 each day, there's ony so much anyone can do before they go goggly eyed!!
It's not a case of me not doing a proper job by any means, I took what I was doing very seriously, as I already said I was just lucky enough to be doing a subject that could be corrected quickly enough if I had peace and quiet!

So you were no where near 15 scripts an hour? Odd that you said that.

littlebsci

ateam wrote: »

So you were no where near 15 scripts an hour? Odd that you said that.

If you had read what I wrote properly you'd have seen that I said "When I set my mind to it I could get between 10 and 15 corrected in an hour". That doesn't mean that I got 15 done every hour. It means I realised I could get 15 done in an hour. Some hours I did get the 15 corrected or 13/14 others I didn't, as someone who has corrected this year you should understand that the number you get done each hour can vary.

kmart6

Read the posts mate s/he clearly stated that they could get ''between 10 and 15 corrected in an hour''!!!! Odd that you can't read!!