All things examination and results related FAQ

WeeBushy

These kind of questions seem to come regularly around exam time so I thought it might be a good idea to put together a FAQ. There is pretty good info available on the UCD website so that's where pretty much all of this info is coming from. If anyone else has a question to add I can update the OP to keep them all together. Maybe this thread could also be used for everyone wanting info on these types of questions. It’ll save the same questions being asked over and over.

If this takes off maybe a Mod could sticky it, even just for the exam period?

I think I'm going to fail a module, what should I do?

Firstly, relax and calm down Failing ain't the end of the world, and there are so many places you can look for assistance. Contact your lecturers, tutors, student advisor, fellow classmates, students from years ahead of you that you might know etc and see if someone can help you with your problems. Make an effort first and bring along specifics that you are having trouble with. Show you've made an effort and are genuinely looking for help. On the day of the exam relax and give it your best shot and if you do end up failing, check out the following questions.

I failed the module, what happens now?

If you got an E (30 - 40%) there is the possibility of passing by compensation. E grades may convert to P(C) (pass with compensation) only where you have completed and obtained passing grades in modules accounting for 75% or more of the total credit required to successfully complete the stage (usually 9 modules) and the compensation GPA for the attempt at the stage is 2.00 or greater. Provisional E grades are then considered compensated and final grades of P(C) are awarded. P(C) carries a GPA of 1.6.

(Page 4 of Modular Grades Explained)
http://www.ucd.ie/registry/assessment/student_info/modulargradesexplained.pdf

An E that has been converted to a P(C) is acceptable as a pre-requisite. There are some exceptions to this, though not many. If you are unsure contact your programmes office.

Not all modules can be compensated. Dissertation, thesis and research modules valued at 15 credits or greater will not be passable by compensation. Also, some modules may be designated as not passable by compensation, upon recommendation of the Programme Board and subject to the approval of the relevant University Programme Board, where there are sound educational reasons or verified accreditation requirements. These modules are often referred to as ‘must pass modules’. Where a module is approved as not passable by compensation, the student will have to obtain an overall grade of D- or higher to pass that module. Check the module descriptor if you are unsure if the module is a 'must pass module'.


If you received an F, G, or NG you have three options available to you:

1. Resit the assessment for the module, if the module offers a resit, in the next teaching semester. Re-attendance is not required, and this type of remediation carries a pass/fail grade with a grade point value of 2.0.
2. Repeat the module the next time it is offered. Here the student re-attends the lectures, the full spectrum of module grades are available for grading purposes and the actual grade the student achieves is recorded on their academic transcript. However the grade point awarded where a repeat attempt is passed is also capped at 2.0.
3. Substitute another module compatible with the requirements of the programme. Generally only options and electives can be substituted, core modules can sometimes be substituted but this requires the approval of the Programme Board. If you substitute a core mosule the GPA is capped at 2.0. If its an option or elective the subsitute module is treated as the first attempt and the GPA is not capped.

http://www.ucd.ie/registry/academicsecretariat/faq4.html

How much does it cost to resit/repeat/substitute?

Repeats and Resits cost €230 per module.
Substituting costs vary depending on the programme it’s from and how many credits its worth. Information on the fees can be found here:

http://www.ucd.ie/registry/adminservices/fees/fees_registration.htm

What's the difference between a Resit and a Repeat?

When students repeat a module:

• They repeat all coursework, assignments and assessments unless exempted by the School for academic reasons. Normally, none of the assessment from their previous attempt is carried forward.
• They usually attend all classes, unless exempted by the School for academic reasons, timetable restrictions or capacity issues.
• They receive an actual grade, which is suffixed by a (R), on their transcript to indicate it was awarded on a repeat attempt, e.g. B+(R).

When students resit the assessment of a module:

• They take the resit assessment, determined by the School, which is designed to determine whether the student has satisfactorily achieved the major learning outcomes of the module. None of the assessment from their previous attempt is carried forward; however, where the resit assessment has more than one component, the student may be exempted from resitting any component where the School considers the student has already passed a similar component from their first attempt.
• The resit assessment may be an end-of-semester examination or submitted coursework throughout the semester, or both. It does not have to be similar to the original assessment of the module.
• They do not attend classes.
• The resit assessment task is completed by the end of the semester immediately following the original attempt.
• They only receive grades of pass (P), fail (F) or no grade (NG), with grade points of 2.0, 1.0 and 0.0, respectively. These grades are suffixed (R) on their transcript to indicate it was awarded on a repeat attempt, e.g. P(R)

When are resit assessments offered?

The resit assessment is only given once for each offering of the module and is usually offered in the semester following the original offering/attempt. However, a resit will not be available if the module is offered in the next semester (or where it is possible to substitute). Students will have to repeat the module in these circumstances. If the module is no longer offered, it must be substituted.

• For example, where a student fails a module that is offered in Semester 2, and that module is not offered again until Semester 2 of the following academic session, they may take the resit assessment in Semester 1 of the following academic session.
• Where, on the other hand, a student fails a module that is offered in Semester 2 and that module is offered in Semester 1 of the next session, the student must repeat the module; no resit will be available.
• Where the student decides not to take the resit at this time, they will not have another opportunity to resit the module. In order to earn credit for the module, they must repeat the module the next time it is offered or substitute the module.

I have received my results and don’t understand this GPA thing, what’s it all about?
Students are (usually) now given grades and a GPA rather than percentages and a class system (1st, 2.1, 2.2 etc). This is to come into line with internationl norms, allowing for each module to be standardised and more easily transferable between colleges with regards to knowledge and standard etc.
The conversion of grades into percentages and visa versa can be found on page 2 of the link below.
The grade point value of each module grade can be found on page 3 of the same document.
The conversion of your GPA into the class system can be found on page 7 of the same document.
http://www.ucd.ie/registry/assessment/student_info/modulargradesexplained.pdf