2) EXAMINATIONS

Organisation of the examinations
You will have two examinations, one at the end of Part One, examining Modules 1 – 4 and one at the end of Part Two, examining Modules 5 – 8. Because of the nature of Module 9 “School Records and Documents”, it will not be assessed in the examination. However, there are assignments for it. The examinations will take place in your region on the dates specified below. They will be supervised by invigilators appointed by the Ministry of Education and you will be notified beforehand of the venue and time.

Each module will have two questions and you will choose to answer one of them. You will have to answer FOUR questions in all and you will be given three hours to do this with an additional fifteen minutes reading time.

All questions will contain elements of the following:-

Knowledge of the module content
Understanding of the key concepts in the module
Evaluation of the issues raised

It is essential that you support your arguments with practical examples and evidence from the modules and other reading that you may have done. The questions are generally practical in nature and will allow you to demonstrate your experience as a teacher.

Examination Dates
Part One Examination (Modules 1 – 4)
August 28, 2009

Supplemental Part One Examination (Modules 1 – 4)
October 30, 2009

Part Two Examination (Modules 5 – 8)
April 1, 2010

Supplemental Part Two Examination (Modules 5 – 8)
May 28, 2010

All trainees are advised to write the first of the two examinations in each part as it gives them the opportunity to re-sit in the form of the Supplemental Examination about two months later, both of which are in the same format. It should be noted, however, that it is for you to choose which examination you wish to take to fit in with your own work schedule. The Supplemental can also be written by those who were unable to complete their work on time, who did not achieve a pass grade in the first exam or for any other exceptional circumstances which prevented the trainee from writing the first examination. On the other hand, if you choose to write only the Supplemental Examination, it will be almost two years, as part of another cohort of trainees, that you will be able to write the examination again.

Examination scripts will be sent to NCERD where a team comprising a sample of Master Trainers will have the responsibility of marking them under standardized conditions. On completion of marking, moderation will take place by a senior officer in NCERD. An investigation of marking or a re-mark can only be carried out in exceptional circumstances and may carry a penalty. Application for this should be made to the Director of NCERD, through the Superintendent of Examinations.

Examination Revision
You will note that the examinations carry 50% of the marks and should, therefore, be treated very seriously. You should allow yourself sufficient time for a thorough revision of the modules before writing the exam. You are advised to prepare a revision timetable in good time and do your revision systematically, concentrating on your weaker areas rather than what you already know. It is advisable, where possible, to work with other trainees in this area as this will expand your experience and be a vital support in what can often be a demanding time.

Keeping track of your examination results
When you write your examinations in the region where you are studying, you will be given a unique identification number which will consist of your regional number plus a personal number e.g. 01/004. This will assure your anonymity with the markers. The number will be allocated by the regional Master Trainers. You will not write your name or any other identifier on the paper and the markers will not have access to the names. In this way your paper will be anonymous to the markers.

Examinations will be administered by invigilators appointed by the Ministry of Education in the various Regions and Georgetown. Examination scripts will be sent to NCERD where a team comprising the sample of Master Trainers will have the responsibility of marking them under standardized conditions.

On completion of marking, moderation will take place by a senior officer in NCERD. If necessary, marks will be adjusted accordingly to ensure uniformity and fair practice.