New GL-5 Exam Format

[johnfgolding]

Does anyone have any idea what the actual marking system is likely to be with the new format exam - there was a note circulated see below?

I and others on my course will be taking our exam next week, so we are starting to panic.

It appears that there is information that has been given to the instructors which is different.


CHANGES TO FORMAT OF GL5 EXAM

Of mutual interest to examiners and instructors alike is news that part of this year’s GL5 exam will be different from previous years:

It is still 70 questions in length – BUT THE LAST 10 QUESTIONS WILL HAVE MORE THAN ONE ANSWER;

THERE MAY BE A CHOICE OF 5 ANSWERS;

CANDIDATES MUST CIRCLE A MINIMUM OF 2 ANSWERS, BUT IT COULD BE 3, 4 OR ALL 5;

THEY NEED TO GET THE CORRECT COMBINATION OF ANSWERS – TOO FEW OR TOO MANY WLL BE MARKED WRONG.

[Acumen]

Derek Rowley tells me that the final 10 questions do require a number of answers. Candidates are told to circle no fewer than one and no more than
five. The point is that all those which are correct will score and those which are incorrect will not be taken away from those correct. A guessers charter?

[Colin Thorogood]

There is no need for anyone to panic. If you have put in the work, and done your homework, the exam will not be a problem.
Just answer the correct options?
There is a change to previous years which had the tag of TOO EASY.
The instructions are that, you must answer a minimum of two options, any less and you will fail that question, answer too many and again you will fail that question.
All examiners are fully aware of the marking system, and as with previous years the examiners will mark the papers fairly.
I repeat if you have put in the effort you will be rewarded with a pass, exams are not meant to be easy but a test of the candidates knowledge of the laws of cricket.
I suggest you stop worrying and concentrate on revision.

[johnfgolding]

I would agree there was little to choose from the GL-6 and last years GL-5 format.

It is simply a case of the candidates knowing what is going to be thrown at them. My point is there is confusion which does not help encourage more to take the GL-5. ACU&S members should be encouraged not confused, that may even attract more to become members.

Of course plenty of revision is required, that goes without saying, easy to say do not panic but when the week before there is no clear idear of the marking system or even what the questions look like.

[johnfgolding]

Well we are still none the wiser.
The exam "papers" did not turn up!!
Obviously someone forgot about the reliability of the Christmas post.
Should have used a courier service or electronic download.

The frustration is it is going to be difficult to build up the adreneline a second time.

That is off my chest now.

[keithhealey]

Reply for johnfgolding.

New GL5 (Q61-70): Candidates must pick at least two answers, but not every available option. As things stand currently, all correct answers will be credited with one mark and all wrong ones will not be penalized!
This is very generous - but make the most of it - there may well be negative marks for wrong answers to this type of question in future GL5 exams!

[johnfgolding]

WELL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We took the exam last night.
The information on the marking to be used for questions 61-70 were virtually as per my orginal posting.

"THERE MAY BE A CHOICE OF 5 ANSWERS; CANDIDATES MUST CIRCLE A MINIMUM OF 2 ANSWERS, BUT IT COULD BE 3, 4 OR ALL 5; THEY NEED TO GET THE CORRECT COMBINATION OF ANSWERS – TOO FEW OR TOO MANY WLL BE MARKED WRONG. "

The exam itself was challenging but fair. Unfortunately the quality of some of the videos concerned meant that the answer was achieved more by guess work and interpretation than based on fact.

When asked about the marking system the examiner said he would not mark the papers then and there as he was still unsure.
So we all have to wait about 4 weeks before we know.

My feeling was that all those that took the exam left unhappy.
This is not the way to encourage umpires to progress. No-one is looking for the eay option. We need clarity and clear thinking.
I can see another organisation rubbing their hands in glee.

[johnfgolding]

Well the results are in. To blow my own trumpet I passed.
Interestingly when we reviewed our answers at the end of the exam, I think I scraped in with the original marking system and did much better with the more relaxed alternative suggested. My actual results were somewhere in between.
The feedback sheet I got was very comprehensive; apart from not having access to the questions it is difficult to see where I went wrong. I have suggested to our course instructors that an exam review evening should be held, so we can all recap on those questions we got wrong. I believe our course did quite well with a 72% pass rate (well done our instructors).
So now I am GL-5 and ECBOA Level 2. “Mr Anon GL-4 here I come”.

See comment
nompere.proboards37.com/index.cgi?board=ecboa&action=display&thread=1155246357&page=1#1168701544


Importantly what has come to light was the very hard work put in by a few members, particularly Colin T. He needs to be congratulated on putting the exam together. Hopefully lessons will be learned from this exercise.

[GORE]

having read various posts on this site, Mr. Golding was very critical of ACUS exams.
I note he has passed without a word of apology to the people I am sure he and swerveman offended in recent posts.
Then you have the cheek to bleat that you are now ECB OA level 2.
well at least you thanked you instructors. to give you something to work on through the season, find out the difficulties involved in getting any exam off the ground this year?

johnfgolding said:

Well the results are in. To blow my own trumpet I passed.
Interestingly when we reviewed our answers at the end of the exam, I think I scraped in with the original marking system and did much better with the more relaxed alternative suggested. My actual results were somewhere in between.
The feedback sheet I got was very comprehensive; apart from not having access to the questions it is difficult to see where I went wrong. I have suggested to our course instructors that an exam review evening should be held, so we can all recap on those questions we got wrong. I believe our course did quite well with a 72% pass rate (well done our instructors).
So now I am GL-5 and ECBOA Level 2. “Mr Anon GL-4 here I come”.

See comment
nompere.proboards37.com/index.cgi?board=ecboa&action=display&thread=1155246357&page=1#1168701544


Importantly what has come to light was the very hard work put in by a few members, particularly Colin T. He needs to be congratulated on putting the exam together. Hopefully lessons will be learned from this exercise.

[Mr Anon]

Anon pronounced: RNO, its French?

What lessons do you think you have passed on? apart from being a couple of moaners who don't seem happy unless you are complaining about something. You are just two out of 100s that have sat exams this season.
Why do you think you need GL4? As under ECB OA level 2 is the highest grade so far, ECB OA a couple of years away from level 3, their own words, as they do not have the exams or assessor to do this.

johnfgolding said:

Well the results are in. To blow my own trumpet I passed.
Interestingly when we reviewed our answers at the end of the exam, I think I scraped in with the original marking system and did much better with the more relaxed alternative suggested. My actual results were somewhere in between.
The feedback sheet I got was very comprehensive; apart from not having access to the questions it is difficult to see where I went wrong. I have suggested to our course instructors that an exam review evening should be held, so we can all recap on those questions we got wrong. I believe our course did quite well with a 72% pass rate (well done our instructors).
So now I am GL-5 and ECBOA Level 2. “Mr Anon GL-4 here I come”.

See comment
nompere.proboards37.com/index.cgi?board=ecboa&action=display&thread=1155246357&page=1#1168701544


Importantly what has come to light was the very hard work put in by a few members, particularly Colin T. He needs to be congratulated on putting the exam together. Hopefully lessons will be learned from this exercise.

[johnfgolding]

I think Mr Anon, whoever he is, has one thing on his mind looking at his other posts and that is to rubbish the ECBOA.

I like Swerverman and many others I am not interested in rubbishing or promoting either organisation just want to umpire and improve. Iam a paid member of both organisations and plan to continue to be. I wear my ACU&S "kit" with pride, I will do the same when the ECBOA kit arrives.

To improve, like Swerveman, is the reason I want to go on to GL-4, to gain the experience taking the course / exam offers.

Yes being ECBOA Level 2 and am waiting to see their plans for Level 3.

Furthermore, if GORE read my earlier posts I had symathised with my instructors and congratuilated them for the hard work they had put in.

I also commented on the stirling work of Colin T who it appears single handed produced the GL-5 material.
I have had a telephone conversation with the ACU&S to discuss my comments which, I hope, made them see them from a candidates side.
I am not alone in my views, fortunately / unfortunately I am known to say it as it is, and will not suffer in silence.

[swerveman]

GORE said:

having read various posts on this site, Mr. Golding was very critical of ACUS exams.

I note he has passed without a word of apology to the people I am sure he and swerveman offended in recent posts.

I can't actually recall any post in which I set out to offend or criticise anybody. I'd be grateful if you'd specify the post for me, so I can apologise. Indeed, this is my first post in this particular topic.

Mr said:

Anon pronounced: RNO, its French?

What lessons do you think you have passed on? apart from being a couple of moaners who don't seem happy unless you are complaining about something. You are just two out of 100s that have sat exams this season.

Similar response, really. I haven't moaned about anything since July, when I was uneasy about availability of GL4 exams this year. My doubts were dispelled by Colin Thorogood and Geoff Lowden, and I believe all my posts since then have been attempting to provide information. If you believe otherwise, please specify the post and I'll try to clear things up. As a matter of fact, I haven't sat an exam this year. I'm waiting for my GL4 exam date, but I'm not actually worried about it at all, because there's plenty of time before the start of the season.


I think you're both being rather unfair on John Golding. He only found himself in a similar position to me, had an attack of exam nerves, and tried to glean information from the message board. Again, Colin Thorogood in particular was able to allay his fears, and he ended up with a GL5 pass. I'd say that's quite commendable.