Tester

questions have multiple-choice answers and you usually mark a box next to the answer you think is correct. Although you are provided with the potential answers you will find that CMAs can be just as challenging as other forms of assignment and require a good deal of thought about which answers are correct. Multiple-choice questions test your knowledge of factual aspects of the course. The format of the questions may vary. For example, some might ask you to choose a correct statement from a selection of statements. Others might present you with some information, a question based on that information and then a selection of answers to choose from. As the selection of answers you are given for a question sometimes vary only subtly, it is essential that you read the question carefully. It will contain the information that you need to make the correct choice. However, try not to labour too hard over any question. If you are at risk of working on a question all night long, remember that it might constitute only a small proportion of the overall marks. If you find that you are stuck on a particular question, try leaving it and returning to it later on. If your course contains CMAs, you should refer to your course materials to find out more about how you may complete and submit your CMAs. ECAs are used on some courses instead of a traditional examination. The main difference between an examination and an ECA is that the ECA can be completed at your home rather than in an examination hall on a set date. It is sometimes completed at your own pace and so can feel a little like an ordinary assignment. However, because it replaces an examination, you can’t pass the course without doing it and your ECA score is one of the main factors used in determining your course result. The length of your introduction should be in proportion to the length of your essay. It should be between five and ten per cent of the total word count. Try to keep to one paragraph, especially if the word limit is under 1000 words. For a longer essay you may write several paragraphs. The function of an introduction is to identify the main question or issue and introduce and define the key words or terms. You should highlight major debates that lie behind the question and signpost the stages of the content or the argument. You may want to write the introduction before you start, in which case it’s a good idea to check and revise the wording for accuracy after you’ve written the first draft. For report-style assignments, there is often a set way of writing the introduction. The aim of the investigation or experiment should be outlined, listing the objectives or intended outcomes. You should also provide background information in order to clarify why the investigation or experiment was undertaken and perhaps what you don’t intend to write about – thus indicating the scope of your report. Finish your introduction with a sentence that leads into the body of your report.