Repeat Exams

LimerickSports

Hi i failed two subjects last semester, and with the way things are going i have a feeling i will probably fail 2 or 3 this semester because i havent been attended classes and the stress is alot to take on. Does any one know how difficult the august repeats are? and can we study them through moodle or get private tution? i really dont want to fail the repeats as i wont be able to go onto second year if i fail more than 2 subjects. im feeling very anxious about it all

johnnykilo

In theory the exams in August are the same, in practice people tend to say they're a small bit harder. Not sure if this is all in their heads (I've done a few repeats in my time and I can't say they were really much harder). I think what tends to happen is that in the actual exams, the lecturer might hint at what will come up in the exam, or you can look at previous exams and see what stuff generally comes up. The Lecturer probably won't give you any hints for the August exam and it'll probably contain some stuff that is still on the course but not usually asked, therefore the student may be less likely to cover that material and think the exam is harder.

As far as I know you're a registered student until the new term starts in September so you should still have access to Moodle, but the Lecturer may change the notes to the new years notes sometime over the Summer so I would download them all as soon as possible just so you have copies on your machine.

By all means get private tuition if you feel this will help you. You might find it difficult to get help though if you're doing unusual subjects. Here's the WIT Students Union approved grinds register anyway:
http://www.witsu.ie/grind_adverts/

Sully

As above really. The repeat exams are set at the same time as the main exam, IIRC. There is nothing to say they are harder or easier. It depends on the lecturer - some can be more or less the same, some can be completely different.

Just speak with your lecturers for the subjects you know your repeating, they might be able to give you assistance with any problems your having (it depends on the lecturer). If your finding the pressure is getting to you in the current semester, speak with your course leader. Its always a good idea to keep lecturers and the course leader in the loop if your having difficulties as they may be able to assist you. You have enough time to get your head straight, take extra time in the library to catch up and so on.

Your a fully registered student until September so you have access to Moodle.

BuilderPlumber

johnnykilo wrote: »

By all means get private tuition if you feel this will help you. You might find it difficult to get help though if you're doing unusual subjects. Here's the WIT Students Union approved grinds register anyway:
http://www.witsu.ie/grind_adverts/

The WITSU grinds service is a disgrace! Tutors have been removed en masse ever since the current hardline administration took over in 2011. With a new set of people taking the reigns in the next academic year, hopefully some of the insane policies with regard to grinds and other issues will be removed. This is the [EMAIL="cr@p"]cr@p[/EMAIL] they hide behind:

http://www.witsu.ie/disclaimer/

A cop out for protecting laziness, cronyism and so-called 'issues outside their control'. All brought in in 2011 I may add.

Look elsewhere for tutors is my main advice. The few that are left on are often too busy. Many subjects are not even covered on their cr@ppy site.

johnnykilo

All I can speak for is the IT related subjects, but I have gotten grinds of one of the people listed for Java, and I was in contact / personally know another couple. Obviously around exam time they're going to be busy and the site probably does need a small bit of updating (but it's up to the Tutors themselves to remove themselves from the site). From an IT perspective I think the grinds register is pretty good, although I can't speak for any of the other disciplines.

BuilderPlumber

johnnykilo wrote: »

All I can speak for is the IT related subjects, but I have gotten grinds of one of the people listed for Java, and I was in contact / personally know another couple. Obviously around exam time they're going to be busy and the site probably does need a small bit of updating (but it's up to the Tutors themselves to remove themselves from the site). From an IT perspective I think the grinds register is pretty good, although I can't speak for any of the other disciplines.

The grinds register was way better a few years back. Unfortunately, it is not the tutors who removed themselves in many cases: it was the WITSU officials who did. This is what they say:

http://www.witsu.ie/disclaimer/

What they DON'T realise is that many of the tutors were students themselves studying for their masters or doctorate. This hardline policy adopted by Brian Staunton's WITSU regime has to end under the new, hopefully more moderate president next year.

It should be up to the student to judge a tutor. Sure, one student may think a tutor is excellent and another may not. Apart from vetting their qualifications, the student union should have no power to remove a qualified tutor off the register as it restricts choice. WITSU should go back to the pre-2011 model where they accept tutors, ask for their CV and then allow the students themselves to judge who best suits them. Choice and democracy is something the current hardline administration in WITSU cannot fathom.

I mainly study engineering subjects and found a poor choice. I did IT but it was limited enough in that too but decidedly better than the engineering side. I have friends doing business and accounting who found the few tutors there to be booked up.

b0ardsUser

Regarding Moodle during the summer, they like to take it down for maintenance 1-2 weeks before the repeat exams (When its needed greatly, because ya know, that makes sense....)

I would advise to take whatever notes, (powerpoint slides, word documents, PDFs etc) and stick them onto your computer, I would not rely on Moodle during the summer.

I wouldn't be getting my hopes up on getting grinds/information off your lecturer if you haven't been attending classes, they pay attention to things like that when dealing with repeats.

fairyribbon

lads anyone know what the story is with deffering exams you have to repeat? i have to repeat 2 but i cant sit them in august . can i sit them next may ( both subjects are 2nd semester ones) . how do i do this ? do i have to pay the repeat fee now or wait till next may
cheers!

BuilderPlumber

fairyribbon wrote: »

lads anyone know what the story is with deffering exams you have to repeat? i have to repeat 2 but i cant sit them in august . can i sit them next may ( both subjects are 2nd semester ones) . how do i do this ? do i have to pay the repeat fee now or wait till next may
cheers!

The rules on this tend to be a little vague so I would talk to your course coordinator and do what he/she says.