WRITTEN EXAMINERS 2019

mtoutlemonde · 17-06-2019 4:04pm

Moody_mona wrote: »

No problem, I'm corrected JC Maths as well, by choice though,I didn't want to do online so I've moved from LC.

Why so? I didn't want to use it the first year but that was more to do with the SEC implemented it but when I used it - it was brilliant - you're marking will be so fast. I couldn't recommend it enough.

Moody_mona · 17-06-2019 4:11pm

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

Why so? I didn't want to use it the first year but that was more to do with the SEC implemented it but when I used it - it was brilliant - you're marking will be so fast. I couldn't recommend it enough.

Really, that's great to hear! I was meant to be online last year with LC Maths but it didn't happen, I was afraid that was going to be an omen for what a mess it would work out to be. I know the sorting is a pain and you have to be so careful with the marking sheets, but I would sooner the devil I know.

mtoutlemonde · 17-06-2019 4:24pm

Moody_mona wrote: »

Really, that's great to hear! I was meant to be online last year with LC Maths but it didn't happen, I was afraid that was going to be an omen for what a mess it would work out to be. I know the sorting is a pain and you have to be so careful with the marking sheets, but I would sooner the devil I know.

Yes there was legal action brought against the SEC by the scanning company hence no online correcting last year. They were 40+ examiners down in my subject last year but again it was the way the SEC handled the situation. I'm trying Leaving Cert this year so paper again, if it's not for me - I'll go back to JC next year. I used to have my quota corrected/marked in three hours. It's so fast!!! The SEC say all subjects will be online by 2022.

amaryt03 · 18-06-2019 7:43pm

I was hoping I would be correcting online for those reasons. I heard it is faster and cuts out all that admin. Maybe next yr.

RealJohn · 21-06-2019 7:02pm

On a point of pedantics, the only ones correcting at this time of year are advising examiners, correcting the work of the examiners on their teams. The examiners are marking, not correcting. You correct your own students work, because you're supposed to give them feedback. For the SEC, you mark, because you're not giving individual candidates any feedback (I hope - you're in serious breach of the rules if you are), you're just assigning marks to their work.

For those who are a little worried about online marking, from what I've seen of it so far, it's actually going to be a massive improvement. It's hard to say without actual experience of the whole process, but I'm very optimistic that the whole thing will be much less painless this year, and I'm usually the first to criticise change, if I don't see the benefit of it.

spurious wrote: »

For those recruited as a Written Examiner, beware the paragraph in the letter of appointment that says if you take more papers than the average ('additional work') there will be an extra 25% payment per script.

They discussed it at our conference, a number of us took extra packets in the last couple of days and then they reneged on paying any extra fee per script.

It's baffling why they have problems recruiting and retaining examiners.

The subjects that were getting the extra told the examiners what the number was. It might not have been a misrepresentation, so much as a misunderstanding on the part of your chief examiner, or chief advising examiner. It's possible that they read the same thing you did, and assumed it applied to all subjects if taking extra papers was necessary.
At my conference, we were told very clearly that we were only getting paid extra if we passed a certain threshold, whether we'd accepted extra scripts or not.

thefasteriwalk · 24-06-2019 7:11pm

How long are we usually waiting for our advance? I was expecting mine by now but can’t quite remember how quickly it came last year.

Moody_mona · 24-06-2019 7:12pm

thefasteriwalk wrote: »

How long are we usually waiting for our advance? I was expecting mine by now but can’t quite remember how quickly it came last year.

Five working days I think?

runjb · 24-06-2019 9:55pm

First time marking exams and will be attending conference next week. What do the two conference days involve exactly?

Thanks in advance

Moody_mona · 24-06-2019 9:58pm

runjb wrote: »

First time marking exams and will be attending conference next week. What do the two conference days involve exactly?

Thanks in advance

Going through the marking scheme, understanding what all the comments mean, correcting exemplars, understanding the admin involved, meeting with your advising examiner.

spurious · 24-06-2019 10:12pm

runjb wrote: »

First time marking exams and will be attending conference next week. What do the two conference days involve exactly?

Thanks in advance

My subject only ever had one day, but I guess the two day ones do much the same.

Lots of admin stuff, discussion of questions that there might be issues with, then you will break into groups and correct a selection of papers to make sure everyone knows what qualifies as an acceptable answer.

Make sure to read your 'Instructions to Examiners' a few times before you go.

This applies to old style marking, not online.

runjb · 25-06-2019 8:02am

Thanks guys...on the second day I might have to get away a little early, is that possible or is it strict you attend the full days? Meeting with advising examiner - is this done on a one to one basis or as a small group?

thefasteriwalk · 25-06-2019 8:08am

runjb wrote: »

Thanks guys...on the second day I might have to get away a little early, is that possible or is it strict you attend the full days? Meeting with advising examiner - is this done on a one to one basis or as a small group?

No, absolutely no chance. You’re either in or out.

Meet your advising examiner with a small group of other examiners they’re responsible for.

spurious · 25-06-2019 8:15am

No getting out early. In fact that whole first evening once you get home will be very busy - counting and checking papers, starting on the sample 20 etc. There is also a set time (post conference) out at SEC HQ for examiners of each subject to pick up papers. You can't rock up early and get yours in the middle of another subject.

runjb · 25-06-2019 8:29am

thefasteriwalk wrote: »

No, absolutely no chance. You’re either in or out.

Meet your advising examiner with a small group of other examiners they’re responsible for.

Okay thanks for clearing that up, I’ll reschedule what I was planning on doing that evening.

So it’s an informal meet with advising examiner? I don’t need to particularly prepare for it?

spurious · 25-06-2019 8:38am

runjb wrote: »

Okay thanks for clearing that up, I’ll reschedule what I was planning on doing that evening.

So it’s an informal meet with advising examiner? I don’t need to particularly prepare for it?

Read the exam paper. They are available on examinations.ie
Think about possible answers the candidates could give, or refresh knowledge on possible obscure answers.

You really won't have much time that evening once you get home.

happywithlife · 25-06-2019 9:40am

runjb wrote: »

thefasteriwalk wrote: »

No, absolutely no chance. You’re either in or out.

Meet your advising examiner with a small group of other examiners they’re responsible for.

Okay thanks for clearing that up, I’ll reschedule what I was planning on doing that evening.

So it’s an informal meet with advising examiner? I don’t need to particularly prepare for it?

Depending what it is reschedule for a month's time.
First time examiners usually end up rechecking themselves fairly regularly and having to confer with guidelines a lot more than experienced examiners so tgat slows the process down.

To give you me prior experience as an example. I've a two day conference. You sit at round tables with your group & advisor. Marking scheme & procedures are explained. We correct some exemplars the first afternoon & wrap up about 5. Its fairly full on.
Back for 9am next morning. Continue with exemplers. Correct scripts from SEC & drive straight home. No lunch break & offically you can't leave scripts unattended in car so I drive home, arriving about 5pm. Have a dinner. Unload scripts. Do all the counting & admin. Set myself up for marking first thing in the morning. Those that lived closer start correcting that evening. The day after I get home I must have 5 scripts corrected & make post office before evening post (takes 40 mins out of my day between driving to PO, queuing & return drive) I then continue with marking. ....
And repeat for 25 days.

It's tough going. You really need to clear the decks before marking & absolutely don't commit to plans/outings etc

Random sample · 25-06-2019 10:14am

runjb wrote: »

Okay thanks for clearing that up, I’ll reschedule what I was planning on doing that evening.

So it’s an informal meet with advising examiner? I don’t need to particularly prepare for it?

You may spend most of the two days with your advising examiner, depending on the subject.

I wouldn’t plan anything other than dinner for the evening of the conference, as outlined above.

The sec staff have the papers packed up and ready to go at specific times, there’s no way of letting one person out of conference early, they would just have to wait at the sec until the appointed time to get their papers.

Postgrad10 · 25-06-2019 11:23am

The advice above it spot on. Just to add to it, keep working ahead . You are human , dentist appointments will need to happen. Just keep ahead and advise your advising examiner as soon as possible. You are also on summer holidays so it’s important to schedule the odd trip to the cinema/ football. Start your marking early in the day and take breaks to get some fresh air.

runjb · 25-06-2019 5:41pm

Random sample wrote: »

You may spend most of the two days with your advising examiner, depending on the subject.

I wouldn’t plan anything other than dinner for the evening of the conference, as outlined above.

The sec staff have the papers packed up and ready to go at specific times, there’s no way of letting one person out of conference early, they would just have to wait at the sec until the appointed time to get their papers.

Great, thanks for advice on all this. I’ll keep the schedule free!

When collecting from sec offices, are the papers a heavy load? Is it better I drive or could I bring them via train?

mtoutlemonde · 25-06-2019 5:43pm

runjb wrote: »

Great, thanks for advice on all this. I’ll keep the schedule free!

When collecting from sec offices, are the papers a heavy load? Is it better I drive or could I bring them via train?

Drive. The SEC staff put them in your boot. You might manage with a very big suitcase but it will be heavy. If on public transport, watch case like a hawk!!

spurious · 25-06-2019 5:44pm

runjb wrote: »

Great, thanks for advice on all this. I’ll keep the schedule free!

When collecting from sec offices, are the papers a heavy load? Is it better I drive or could I bring them via train?

You could get two large bags. By large I mean the sort of weight that I as an adult woman would have to do a funny walk while I carry. I couldn't carry one of them any great distance.
I did it twice by train when I was young and foolish. Never again.

km79 · 25-06-2019 5:53pm

runjb wrote: »

Great, thanks for advice on all this. I’ll keep the schedule free!

When collecting from sec offices, are the papers a heavy load? Is it better I drive or could I bring them via train?

The sec office is miles away from train station
Security of scripts is also paramount
How are you getting to and from conference .......

rainbowtrout · 25-06-2019 6:12pm

runjb wrote: »

Great, thanks for advice on all this. I’ll keep the schedule free!

When collecting from sec offices, are the papers a heavy load? Is it better I drive or could I bring them via train?

Drive. Even if you were to get the train you will be depending on another teacher at the conference to bring you to collect your papers and then drop you to the train station. And they are heavy. Consider that you are probably going to have about 400 answerbooks. That's what you are carrying.

spurious · 25-06-2019 6:22pm

This all reminds me, should anyone need a lift back Thursday afternoon (27th) to the Dublin area, PM me.

Postgrad10 · 25-06-2019 6:41pm

Car is a must. The SEC suggest a taxi if needs must and they will reimburse. Think 2-3 heavy sacks. And they have to be in your sight at all times.

Reya10 · 26-06-2019 5:14pm

Hi, going to be marking JC German and have the conference on Monday. Can anyone tell me roughly how much the advance fee is, and is it true you get it in the first couple of weeks after the conference. Cheers!

thefasteriwalk · 26-06-2019 5:33pm

Reya10 wrote: »

Hi, going to be marking JC German and have the conference on Monday. Can anyone tell me roughly how much the advance fee is, and is it true you get it in the first couple of weeks after the conference. Cheers!

For JC it’s €900 and it will be taxed for the first time this year. And yes.

Postgrad10 · 26-06-2019 5:40pm

You get it within 5 working days from conference.

Seesee · 26-06-2019 7:56pm

Reya10 wrote: »

Hi, going to be marking JC German and have the conference on Monday. Can anyone tell me roughly how much the advance fee is, and is it true you get it in the first couple of weeks after the conference. Cheers!

Me too and just got the offer today. Have never done it before. How many scripts are we likely to get?

Reya10 · 26-06-2019 8:30pm

Seesee wrote: »

Me too and just got the offer today. Have never done it before. How many scripts are we likely to get?

I have no idea, it’s also my first time! I guess we’ll see on Monday, maybe it depends on how many examiners they have?

Postgrad10 · 26-06-2019 10:40pm

Yeah you won’t know the total number until you take them out of the bags and count them. You might get told an average at conference.

Seesee · 26-06-2019 10:44pm

Where do people usually stay? I'll be coming from Dublin on Monday morning seems like makes sense to stay Monday night.

spurious · 26-06-2019 11:00pm

Seesee wrote:

Where do people usually stay? I'll be coming from Dublin on Monday morning seems like makes sense to stay Monday night.

I know the Shamrock lodge has a special rate for SEC people. Might be a fiver or so off. Ask whatever hotel you're considering. I think many of them have similar.

Postgrad10 · 26-06-2019 11:12pm

Radisson and Sheraton are quite popular. Athlone Springs too.

deiseindublin · 27-06-2019 8:44am

The SEC rate for Shamrock Lodge is €65 b&b, hard to beat, and a lovely breakfast and with free parking.

djemba djemba · 27-06-2019 10:52am

Do we bring anything in particular with us to the conference or will we be supplied with everything. (pens/paper etc).

Postgrad10 · 27-06-2019 10:57am

Take a red pen and a note book to conference. Calculator too. Buy a good few red pens in one of those discount stores and keep the receipt for your expenses on the form account at the end.

mtoutlemonde · 27-06-2019 10:57am

djemba djemba wrote: »

Do we bring anything in particular with us to the conference or will we be supplied with everything. (pens/paper etc).

Pens, calculator and the blue book you were sent a few weeks ago. You will be supplied with exam paper but I'm sure you have one with your own answers.

happywithlife · 27-06-2019 9:58pm

djemba djemba wrote: »

Do we bring anything in particular with us to the conference or will we be supplied with everything. (pens/paper etc).

As the others have said but I'll add bring a 2nd pen in another colour. I like to know when we review exemplars (you mark a few to check your understanding of the marking scheme) why/where I was out of kilter with advisor / offical mark. I use 2nd pen for this.

spurious · 28-06-2019 2:08pm

Between those bloody treasury tags and the glue strip that sticks papers together, I cannot wait for my subject to be part of the online marking.

Don't start me on superintendents who couldn't manage to put the scripts in numerical order. They should bring a five year old with them next year.

Postgrad10 · 28-06-2019 2:34pm

Oh I’ve seen fellow superintendents stuff them in to the envelopes. It’s a miracle they get the results on time.

mtoutlemonde · 28-06-2019 2:54pm

spurious wrote: »

Between those bloody treasury tags and the glue strip that sticks papers together, I cannot wait for my subject to be part of the online marking.

Don't start me on superintendents who couldn't manage to put the scripts in numerical order. They should bring a five year old with them next year.

The treasury tags are welcome for my subject

(I thought I'd never say that) I'm correcting a different level this year.

I had two superintendents who literally threw scripts in bag. They were meant to put two parts of the exam together and one didn't. It will be going in my report. I wish there was a way to report it to the SEC as it is a pain putting them in correct order before numbering. It's not a big job but it is a superintendents job and they won't miss much of their lunch for four/five minutes.

Postgrad10 · 28-06-2019 3:25pm

They have plenty of time. It’s very clearly laid out in the general instructions. Maybe if they had to sign a note that reads “ I arranged all scripts in numerical order and placed them in seperate envelopes by level”.

mtoutlemonde · 28-06-2019 3:58pm

Postgrad10 wrote: »

They have plenty of time. It’s very clearly laid out in the general instructions. Maybe if they had to sign a note that reads “ I arranged all scripts in numerical order and placed them in seperate envelopes by level”.

Suggestion already gone to SEC!!

Postgrad10 · 28-06-2019 4:39pm

Mtoutlemonde we’re wasted in teaching. The SEC needs us !!

mtoutlemonde · 28-06-2019 4:49pm

Postgrad10 wrote: »

Mtoutlemonde we’re wasted in teaching. The SEC needs us !!

Handy number alright!!! Would love to see the inside of the SEC.

Corkgirl18 · 28-06-2019 5:09pm

The online marking system is a massive improvement. The system is really easy to use and there are so many annoying little jobs that I now no longer have to do!

Postgrad10 · 28-06-2019 5:15pm

I seriously would like a tour of the operation. I really would.

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

Postgrad10 wrote: »

Mtoutlemonde we’re wasted in teaching. The SEC needs us !!

Handy number alright!!! Would love to see the inside of the SEC.

Postgrad10 · 28-06-2019 5:15pm

Cork girl is it <edit> they use?

Corkgirl18 · 28-06-2019 5:18pm

Postgrad10 wrote: »

Cork girl is it <edit> they use?

Yep. Apparently they only got the contract in April so the functionality isn't perfect according to the Advising Examiners but I'm finding it great. Flying through the papers and no totting to be done.

WRITTEN EXAMINERS 2019

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