Passing Exams :

Cultural Differences in Evaluation,

Style and Expectations

7/12/’10

Karel Joos
Study Advisory Service
Introduction
 Introduction
 Cultural differences
– Exam expectations
– How to pass exams
– Focus of this session : oral exams
 Similar expectations (whole K.U.Leuven)?
– No,
– but +/- consensus
 Content of this session
 Different examination formats
 How to prepare
 Grading
 Cultural differences?
 Contact
Different examination
formats
 Different examinations
 Oral
 Written
– Open questions
– Multiple choice
 Paper
 Presentation
 Oral exam : progress
 Classroom
 Materials :
– paper, pen
– no food, drinks, mobile phone
– (open book – closed book)
 Questions
– 2-3 questions on cards
– knowledge - exercises
 Oral exam (2)
 Preparation time :
– Human sciences : 30’
– Exact sciences : sometimes 4 h
– Schematic outline
 Presenting (+/- 15’)
– Oral presentation
or prof reads written preparation
– Goal of additional questions?
– Prof stops you?
– No feedback! (facial expression, ‘ok’, marks)
 Oral exam : Remarks
 Exercises – knowledge
 Open book – closed book
 Dress code
 Reliability?
 Oral exam : Tips
 Structuring your answer
 Repeating question in own words
(if necessary)
 Non-verbal communication
(showing motivation)
 ~ game (role playing), meeting (convincing)
…
 Written exam
 Essay questions
– Situating answer
– Structure

 Multiple choice
– Correction for guessing
– Count, different phases
 Papers
 Guided Independant Learning
 Starting from keywords
 Sources and referring
– Hot topic at K.U.Leuven
– Required in scientific writing
(better too much than not enough)
– Within text quotations, reference list
– Plagiarism
How to prepare?
 Different levels of preparation
 Reading
 Basic understanding (8-12/20)
 Complex understanding (10-13/20)
 Applied understanding (14-18/20)
– Own examples
– Critical point of view
– Linking chapters
Grading
 Grading
Mark Transcript US Your answer
18-20 Outstanding (A+) A+ Exceptional, additional
16-17 Very Good A analyses
14-15 Good A- Own examples, compare,
13 Above Average B+ critics, application
12 Average B Structuring answer
11 Satisfactory B- C+ Memorizing literally,
10 Satisfactory C basic understanding
8-9 Insufficient D Lack of comprehension
0-7 Very Insufficient F Lack of knowledge
GA INCOMPLETE INC.
 Marks Exams International Students (n=11.454)

1400

1200

1000

800
Exams

600

400

200

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Marks
 Marks
 Average : 12/20

 0 – 9 : 25%
 10 – 14 : 50%
 15 or more : 25%
 20/20 : only 0.2%
Cultural differences
 Cultural differences?
 Selection at the beginning of programme +
selection during the programme
 Knowlegde – insight – application
 Grading
 No information about results after oral exam
…
 Contact
– Study Advisory Service
Naamsestraat 80
3000 Leuven
016/32 43 11
www.kuleuven.be/studyadvice

– Karel.Joos@dsv.kuleuven.be
Succes!!