ERB and student feedback CAT June 2005
The CAT Examination Review Board met on 24 June 2005 to give immediate feedback on the June 2005 CAT examinations.
The terms of reference of the Board are:
- To review the questions, answers and marking schemes after each exam session to ensure that the papers are a fair and reasonable test.
- To recommend changes to the syllabus and format of the papers.
Members of the CAT Exam Review Board are:
Bal Grewal BPP
David Currington Lancaster & Morecambe College
Felix Orogun Jeff Wooller College
David Collingridge FTC
Mike Nardone AT Emile Woolf Manchester
Comments on the Papers Overall
The feedback from the ERB on the June 2005 CAT examination papers was overall very positive. ERB members agreed that the majority of papers were challenging but fair. Some concerns were raised regarding individual papers - these are outlined below.
Comments on Specific Papers
The Board agreed that Paper T3 was a fair paper with good coverage of the syllabus. Paper T4 was seen to be fair, but the wording in question 12 of section A could have been clearer.
One of the Board members felt that some questions in Paper T5 contained some superfluous information which could have misled students. It was also suggested that question 5 was too simple and predictable, however this would have benefited less confident students. The response to Paper T6 was positive, but some Board members commented that the mention of goodwill in question 1 may have caused some confusion. The Board members were informed that markers will be lenient when considering responses to question 2 of Paper T7, as it may have been too time-pressured. Paper T8 was seen to be fair and challenging. The Board commented on an error in the rate of class 2 national insurance contributions listed in Paper T9, but were reassured that the markers have been made aware of this mistake and will take it into consideration when marking the paper. Paper T10 was well received, but it was agreed that part (e) of question 4 could have been reworded to explain more clearly how the interest rates had increased.
All comments were passed to the Examiners for consideration in the marking process. ACCA should like to thank the Board for their helpful and constructive comments.