Tuesday, 1 May 2007

First exam done

I had my first exam with my new system this morning. I feel like it went ok which makes me wonder if I missed something. I felt really nervous as I went in the exam room. Not because I felt unprepared or anything because I did loads of work for the exam but more because it did feel instantly intimidating as soon as I walked in there. The invigilator had all her stuff out on the desk next to my place setting and the reader had all his out on the other side next to me - so that would be it. 4 hours spent sandwiched between 2 people. I don't think so! The invigilator introduced herself and thankfully asked me where I would like to sit so I explained that I didn't mind really but would find it a bit intimidating if she was actually SHARING my desk. In the end she opted to sit behind me which was quite a nice arrangement as it reduced the intimidation a bit. I turned up to the exam a bit early so that I could talk to the reader and find out how they normally operate this being my first time to use a reader and was told that it was his first time as well. I felt a bit worried then that he might not be so good but he was actually very good for a first timer. He ended up sitting behind me with the invigilator and I just called him over when I needed him. It was quite a wordy exam so he came in handy. I knew I would never last the 3hour 45 minute exam without a loo break though so at half time I asked to go it was a welcome 2 minute break where I could stretch my legs a bit at least. I wasn't so keen that she came into the loos with me. I hate that peeing in public thing but I understand why she needed to do it. I think the same woman is doing one of my exams next week as well it would be good if I could have the same reader since I now got used to him but he says he isn't doing any more of mine. About 3 hours into the exam I noticed a mistake on the exam paper and then got really confused trying to figure out what to do. The invigilator ended up timing out the exam so she could go and find my tutor to ask him what I should do. All in all I think the system worked pretty well - and the reader definitely helped me to answer the question right.

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