MSAP

astonaidan

How did everyone find the test yesterday, I hate them kinda tests, like I feel confident but their is no way for sure knowing how I did, I finished quickly and had time to look over it but still having doubts

A.Partridge

I sat mine in Galway.

Like yourself, I think I did ok but then again....

The essays were grand but the humanities questions were a mixed bunch.

I wasn't too fond of the 'anarchist' questions tbh.

Will just have to wait and see, I suppose?

Fame and Demise

The humanities questions were a bit weird, I felt. Like with some of them each of the answers could be the right one. I'm pretty slow at reading as well, so I thought a couple of the passages were a bit too long.

The essays were ok I think. I came out of it pretty confident that I did well, but the more I thought about it the more I think I might have just rambled incoherently for a few pages without particularly addressing the topic properly.

I suppose it's best just to forget about it for a few weeks until the results come out. No point stressing about it now.

serjical_strike

I did mine in the Cork center.

I thought I did fairly well at the essays. Took up all the space available for them anyway and don't think i wrote total ****e so thats encouraging.

The question parts were a bit tricky though. The anarchist questions were tricky and some of the reading sections I found a bit tough simply because of the back and forth needed for them. Reading the questions before reading the passages did help a bit though. As ye said though, its hard to know how you have done in the questions because all the questions and answers are fairly ambiguous.

How many weeks till results and college offers do ye know.? June.?

What are ye hoping to study.?

A.Partridge

The Msap site says the results will be out mid-April.

I just hope I did well enough to get called for interview.

I'm hoping to study Creative Writing at NUIG.

It'll be very tight for a place though. I think there are only 2 for mature students .

serjical_strike

April isnt too bad. I heard June/July for the first round mature student offers.

My course didnt have an interview. Selection was based on letter of interest and the MSAP.

Hope to study Digital Humanities and Information Technology in UCC. Think there is about six places for my course so the odds are a little better.

A.Partridge

Serjical, fingers crossed that you get your course.

It sounds interesting. Did you have any second choice courses?

I only put down one course. That's all I am interested in.

serjical_strike

A.Partridge wrote: »

Serjical, fingers crossed that you get your course.

It sounds interesting. Did you have any second choice courses?

I only put down one course. That's all I am interested in.

Thanks, I hope you get yours too Partridge.!

I didn't put anything else down. We were advised to put only one course down as it shows that you have a focus and desire for just that course and aren't just applying for everything so that you can go to college for anything subject at all.

The UCC mature student office held a lot of meetings and were available for questions at anytime so they were great. They even held a mock pre MSAP exam two weeks before the real one to help us prepare. It helped an immense amount.!

Its gonna be a long wait to find out eh

Waylander1982

I was just wondering, does anyone have an idea what the MSAP cut off points are for their particular courses. I'm hoping to study Arts at UCC myself and, from what I can find, it seems to be upwards from a 90 precentile. That seems a bit high to me so any perspective you guys could give, in regards to your own courses, would help me get a general lay of the land.

Thanks in advance.

auskid

No way arts in ucc will be in the 90's ...early 70's at most...when i did it 4 years ago it was in the early 60's

Waylander1982

auskid wrote: »

No way arts in ucc will be in the 90's ...early 70's at most...when i did it 4 years ago it was in the early 60's

Well that certainly makes a bit more sense to me.

The only information I could find, in this regard, was on older threads here. Wherein the 90 percentile was mentioned by a number of people.

Fame and Demise

I presume it depends year to year. Like there's no point in them having a cut-off percentile because they might only end up with a handful of people

A.Partridge

Waylander1982 wrote: »

I was just wondering, does anyone have an idea what the MSAP cut off points are for their particular courses. I'm hoping to study Arts at UCC myself and, from what I can find, it seems to be upwards from a 90 precentile. That seems a bit high to me so any perspective you guys could give, in regards to your own courses, would help me get a general lay of the land.

Thanks in advance.

From what I understand, the 90 refers to your scaled score out of 150. There is no way that you would need to have scored in the 90th percentile. That would mean that only the top 10 per cent of people would be offered a place, which wouldn't be realistic.

Waylander1982

A.Partridge wrote: »

From what I understand, the 90 refers to your scaled score out of 150. There is no way that you would need to have scored in the 90th percentile. That would mean that only the top 10 per cent of people would be offered a place, which wouldn't be realistic.

That is pretty much in line with how I was thinking. It makes sense that the Unversities would work from the highest precentiles down, until all alloted places are filled.

I just got some conflicting info in a number of other threads, gave me a bit of a panic attack:( Who would have thought that Boards is not the best place for reliable information..WEIRD!

compo1

Waylander1982 wrote: »

That is pretty much in line with how I was thinking. It makes sense that the Unversities would work from the highest precentiles down, until all alloted places are filled.

I just got some conflicting info in a number of other threads, gave me a bit of a panic attack:( Who would have thought that Boards is not the best place for reliable information..WEIRD!

It depends a lot on how many places are available. You'll get your results as a score and as a percentile. A percentile of 82 got me into Arts in UCC no bother. That was last year.
Results usually late June/early July, with offer, if you're lucky, a few weeks later.
Then you'll be contacted about the Mature Student Orientation Day. (Information Overload!!!)
Don't worry if you feel a bit lost at the start; we're all like that.:)

astonaidan

Any idea when we will be hearing back regarding results and whether we will be accepted

A.Partridge

astonaidan wrote: »

Any idea when we will be hearing back regarding results and whether we will be accepted

The MSAP website says the results will be out mid- April. Another week I'd say?

Waylander1982

astonaidan wrote: »

Any idea when we will be hearing back regarding results and whether we will be accepted

It says the results are out 6 weeks after the exam. So I would expect some time after the 16th.

jacquelinem

HI. Did anyone get their MSAP 2016 scores yet? The six weeks is up.....I applied for Arts and Social Work in UCC and am wondering what the cut off is....thks

astonaidan

jacquelinem wrote: »

HI. Did anyone get their MSAP 2016 scores yet? The six weeks is up.....I applied for Arts and Social Work in UCC and am wondering what the cut off is....thks

I just got mine now written English really let me down 72 overall percentile 😢

Mac_Lad71

I got mine this morning as well.

Module 1. 134. 86%ile

Module 2. 104. 70%ile

Overall. 119. 81%ile.

serjical_strike

I got an email from them this morning with my results too.

Which are good (I think). Anyone have any input on that?

Module 1. 135 scaled. 87%

Module 2. 104 scaled. 70%

Overall. 120 scaled. 83%

So that places me in the top 17% in the country i think.

Does anyone know how this will stand to me for UCC.?

It looks like me and Mac_Lad71 had very similar results.

Mac_Lad71

Top 17 % let's not get carried away. Haha.
I applied for Arts in UCC..and am confident 119 will be good enough.
I am applying as a second chance student so fingers crossed on the tuition fees.

Waylander1982

Module 1: Scaled score 132 - 81 Precentile
Module 2: Scaled score 96 - 56 Precentile
Overall: Scaled score 114 - 73 Precentile.

I am completely gutted! I was hoping to do Arts in UCC, this does not bode well for me I think.

serjical_strike

Mac_Lad71 wrote: »

Top 17 % let's not get carried away. Haha.
I applied for Arts in UCC..and am confident 119 will be good enough.
I am applying as a second chance student so fingers crossed on the tuition fees.

hahah well it does sound silly but it means that we did better than 83% of the people who sat the exam and 17% of people did better than us.

serjical_strike

Waylander1982 wrote: »

Module 1: Scaled score 132 - 81 Precentile
Module 2: Scaled score 96 - 56 Precentile
Overall: 73 Precentile.

I am completely gutted! I was hoping to do Arts in UCC, this does not bode well for me I think.

I have no idea of the cut off for all this. I wouldn't worry too much until you know that. Maybe try ringing the mature students office?

I'm looking for Digital Humanities and IT in UCC which is under Arts too. I think there is 6 places for mature students on that course.

Waylander1982

serjical_strike wrote: »

I have no idea of the cut off for all this. I wouldn't worry too much until you know that. Maybe try ringing the mature students office?

I'm looking for Digital Humanities and IT in UCC which is under Arts too. I think there is 6 places for mature students on that course.

Congratulations on your score I would be quiet confident if I were in your shoes. Well done!

I called the Mature Students office and they said they will get back to me, as they didnt know the cut off yet. CK101 has 75 places for Mature Students so I am not completely devastated......yet.

A.Partridge

Waylander1982 wrote: »

Module 1: Scaled score 132 - 81 Precentile
Module 2: Scaled score 96 - 56 Precentile
Overall: Scaled score 114 - 73 Precentile.

I am completely gutted! I was hoping to do Arts in UCC, this does not bode well for me I think.

Why are you gutted?

AFAIK, Arts in UCC needs a scaled score of around 90. You achieved 114. I'd say you will get a place no problem with plenty to spare.

Don't worry, be happy! :pac:

A.Partridge

Module 1: Scaled score 142 - 93rd Percentile

Module 2: Scaled score 116 - 86th Percentile

Overall: Scaled score 129 - 92nd Percentile.

I'm happy with that :-) , although I have no idea whether it is good enough as there are only 2 places for matures on my chosen course.

Well done to all of you who sat the exam and I hope you get the course of your choice.

Waylander1982

A.Partridge wrote: »

Why are you gutted?

AFAIK, Arts in UCC needs a scaled score of around 90. You achieved 114. I'd say you will get a place no problem with plenty to spare.

Don't worry, be happy! :pac:

From my understanding, a scaled score of 90 is only the cut off point, and does not guarantee a placement. Places are filled from the highest score/percentile down, so it depends on the amount of people with a 74 percentile or higher i.e. 1/4.

Congratulations on your own score, its quiet impressive. I'm sure it will get you your course. Best of luck.

astonaidan

So guys, is it the scaled score which I scored 113 or the percentile which Im 72% which is what I get judged acceptable for NUIG. I emailed the mature officer their and asked her this question and she replied 80
I cleared it up with her the scaled score judges your eligibility, the 72% is whether you get accepted, I nearly had a heart attack when she told me 80

auskid

These scores will gurantee arts ..normally the 60's is enough...ye have nothing to worry about..well done both excellent scores

auskid

Also just wondering why people are choosing arts...if its for teaching purposes i would advise to start checking the teaching topic here on boards.ie its very imformative with help and info...some negative i might add but your as well off knowing what your uo against...especially when unlike most masters the pme teaching takes your first year scores into account in application process ,,,something that shocks a lot of second years as they hadnt looked into it yet...well done again everyone

Fame and Demise

Mod 1: Scaled score 145 - 95th percentile

Mod 2: Scaled score 101 - 67th percentile

Overall: Scaled score 123 - 86th percentile

Waylander1982

auskid wrote: »

These scores will gurantee arts ..normally the 60's is enough...ye have nothing to worry about..well done both excellent scores

I was just wondering, where did you get the number of 60 from? Seems a bit low.

auskid

Waylander1982 wrote: »

I was just wondering, where did you get the number of 60 from? Seems a bit low.

In the 65 th percentile..not really..
Thats in the 90's aggregate wise..

Waylander1982

auskid wrote: »

In the 65 th percentile..not really..
Thats in the 90's aggregate wise..

As I understand it, the 90 (65 precentile) is the cut off point only. This, unfortunately, will not guarantee a place.

Perhaps I am wrong on this, if so please correct me

auskid

Waylander1982 wrote: »

As I understand it, the 90 (65 precentile) is the cut off point only. This, unfortunately, will not guarantee a place.

Perhaps I am wrong on this, if so please correct me

All i can go on is my own experience..in my own class of social science which has a higher entry requirement we discussed the msap on a number of occasions and compred scores people in the 70 th percentile and higher got in no problem...and ive seen the matures in arts this year as i am doing a hdipvin history which means im taking modules in first second and third year history and in my honest opinion the standard was higher in the social science..so i would imagine those people would have been in a lower percentile...i making generalisations here aswell though...also the dropout of matures is high so many are left in knowing upwards of 40% will fall away over the first 2 years...

Waylander1982

auskid wrote: »

All i can go on is my own experience..in my own class of social science which has a higher entry requirement we discussed the msap on a number of occasions and compred scores people in the 70 th percentile and higher got in no problem...and ive seen the matures in arts this year as i am doing a hdipvin history which means im taking modules in first second and third year history and in my honest opinion the standard was higher in the social science..so i would imagine those people would have been in a lower percentile...i making generalisations here aswell though...also the dropout of matures is high so many are left in knowing upwards of 40% will fall away over the first 2 years...

Well that certainly gives some much needed, and appreciated, perspective. Thanks, consider me optimistic

auskid

Mac_Lad71 wrote: »

Top 17 % let's not get carried away. Haha.
I applied for Arts in UCC..and am confident 119 will be good enough.
I am applying as a second chance student so fingers crossed on the tuition fees.

Second chance meaning you have previously attended college...was it evel 8 and up to which year

Mac_Lad71

Yes...did not complete first year of a degree course back in 88/89 in Cork RTC back then.
The equivalent degree today is a level 8 in CIT.

auskid

Mac_Lad71 wrote: »

Yes...did not complete first year of a degree course back in 88/89 in Cork RTC back then.
The equivalent degree today is a level 8 in CIT.

As far as i know you wont get a grant for 1st year but it will kick in then in second year...thats what generally happens allthough i dont know how it will go being that long ago..have thought about saying nothing about it and playing dumb if its comes up...thats definately the route id be taking

Mac_Lad71

Too late I've already mentioned it as I did a level 6 in the same college from 89/91. The fees office told me it was before free fees in 96...so I should be ok but I'm still anxious about it.

auskid

who did you mention it to UCC or what.....so did you pay for 1st year in rtc 89/90 yourself

Mac_Lad71

Yeah I mentioned it to ucc as there's a form for mature students where you declare if you've been to college before...and yes I paid for first year myself

auskid

Ok ...so far your fine...UCC have absolutely nothing to do with the grant..you will have to apply to S.U.S.I for it and my advice is to not mention any of this ...there ok to deal with aswell...if you completed the level 6 it is safe to mention this..say nothing about the other course and play dumb if its pulled up..which it wont be...the most important thing about your grant is your income...there are cut off points..are you single or married and if so any children under 23

Mac_Lad71

I've already applied to SUSI and mentioned it there...I hope as I paid the fees in first year of the degree that I'll be ok..but I'm sorry I mentioned it now as I thought it was so long ago it wouldn't be a problem.

auskid

cancel the application and starting it again in a couple of months when you get your place..you have till july 10th to apply...its worth a try...are you within the income boundary to receive it

Mac_Lad71

Yeah I reckon I'm in the income boundary to receive it...but I checked the status of my Susi application today and it's been received and provisionally assessed..I might try ringing them tomorrow..thanks for your help btw

auskid

No bother any other qns just shoot um my way...there is no corner that i have not cut...office i haven't rang or knack that is there to be pulled that i haven't pulled....ha ha..Jesus that sounds terrible...just wondering..why arts..you've a good msap there..is there a longterm plan

Mac_Lad71

To be honest there is no long term plan..it was 25 yrs since I sat an exam before Msap and I surprised myself with my results..I'm 45 now and am interested in doing a degree for personal fulfillment..so an Arts degree has a wide range of subject choices..ill just choose what I'm interested in