Undergraduate Teaching 2023-24

Guidelines for Examiners and Assessors: Part IB supplement

Guidelines for Examiners and Assessors: Part IB supplement

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Character of the examinations

  1. The character of the Part IB examination should reflect a transition from the straightforward ‘prelim’ style test of basic principles in Part IA to the more searching assessments of Parts IIA and IIB, where students will be tested on more advanced problems relating to engineering practice.  With this in mind, it is recommended that questions should be structured so that about two-thirds of each question follows the IA style and is entirely straightforward.  The remaining part should aim to be a little more demanding and should, as far as possible, integrate with and extend the earlier parts of the question.  If this cannot easily be achieved, the question may be set in separate parts.  In either case, setters and checkers should ensure that the greater part of each question is entirely straightforward. 
  2. The rubric for the two-hour papers (papers 1-7) should state that candidates are expected to attempt not more than four questions.  Where appropriate, a paper may be divided into two or three sections that correspond to the main subject areas to be examined in the paper.  The number of questions in the section should reflect the number of lectures in the corresponding subject areas. 

Checking of the questions

  1. The only checker is the course Lecturer (or Lecturers). It is essential that all Lecturers see the entire paper, even if they are only responsible for checking one question.

Target average

  1. At the setting stage, Examiners should aim for a target average on the written paper in the range 60% to 65%.  When coursework marks are included the overall average can be expected to increase by c.6%. 
  2. Checks should be made that the average mark is in line with the target average and the proportions in each class for the paper are broadly similar to the norm for the Tripos overall.  Where there is a significant discrepancy the Chair should be consulted and consideration given to either modifying the marking scheme or otherwise adjusting the marks.  If after consultation it is agreed that the marks should be scaled this should be done to the least degree consistent with producing the required change.

Rex Moir Prize

  1. The Rex Moir Prize shall be awarded annually by the Examiners to the candidate who has shown the greatest distinction in that examination.

Heaviside Prize

  1. The Heaviside Prize is awarded annually by the Examiners for Part IB of the Engineering Tripos to the candidate who has shown great distinction in Electrical Engineering (Paper 5) and Mathematical Methods (Paper 7) examinations.

Rayleigh Prize

  1. The Rayleigh Prize is awarded annually by the Examiners for Part IB of the Engineering Tripos to the candidate who has shown great distinction in Mechanics (Paper 1) and Thermofluid Mechanics (Paper 4) examinations.

Additional information

Last updated on 24/10/2023 09:31