How do PLC exams work?

LiamGGG

Hi,
I will be doing a plc course this september. I hope to get 8 distinctions in the course i'm doing in order for me to progress to third level.

I am just wondering how you are assessed in a plc course.
Is it like school and each module is like a class and you study each module and have a big exam at the end like the leaving cert or is each module continuously assessed and you get an average result at the end?

Thanks (in advance) for your help.

meoklmrk91

This really depends on the course and the modules. In mine there was continuous assessments, by way of assignments, practical examinations where I demonstrate something and examinations at the end. Most likely it will be a mixture.

Lamina

LiamGGG wrote: »

Hi,
I will be doing a plc course this september. I hope to get 8 distinctions in the course i'm doing in order for me to progress to third level.

I am just wondering how you are assessed in a plc course.
Is it like school and each module is like a class and you study each module and have a big exam at the end like the leaving cert or is each module continuously assessed and you get an average result at the end?

Thanks (in advance) for your help.

The majority of modules are partly based on assignments as well as a written test at the end. Some are based solely on assignments. For example, Communications is totally based on assignments that have to be handed up by the end of the year. Whereas Biology was based like 50 or 60% on a book of written up experiments we did throughout the year and the rest on a written test. I don't think there are any modules totally based off a written test at the end.

92Grainne1992

I'm just finished my FETAC in Applied Psychology, a lot of the grading it done for that module by means of CA. Our exams ranged from module to module, with one exam being worth 60%, and another being worth just 30%. I found the continuous work to be a great bonus for me, because I bloody hate and despise sitting down and actually learning things, however if you don't work hard enough at your referencing and spending time researching topics for your continuous assessments, it can leave you feeling deflated at the end of the year, knowing you need to do really well to pass the module or w/e. I'd recommend a PLC to anybody who isn't 100% about what they want to do with themselves, as its only a year long commitment and I think I got a good taste for what I want to do with myself now. But as I said before the continuous assessment caught a lot of people out this year, as it is a LOT of work. At least for my course anyway :S

brasher

If you know the subjects on your course, go to Fetac.ie and search for the module name. The assessment details are contained in each one. Most subjects have at least one piece of work or report and an exam. But it varies by module.

Further Ed.

The new component specifications for the FETAC modules have very little detail. It is the programme that is written by the centre/college which will give you more information. But the trick with FETAC is to stay on top of the work load throughout the year.

brasher

The new modules are vague and harder to find, but the old modules will give you a good idea. The few I've seen are not that different from the old ones in terms of assessment and workload.

Further Ed.

The marking for the new components is very different. All the learning outcomes of the new specifications must be assessed - in the past you might be able to leave out a question and not cover it for an exam or not write an assignment on it but that is changed and you now have to cover everything. This is having a dramatic impact on results around the country.