HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

Examination Notes December 2013
MSc/Diploma Petroleum Engineering G137-PEE

1.

Introduction

These notes are distributed to all students of the above programmes to provide
guidance regarding the structure and conduct of examinations. If you have any
questions regarding this document and its appendices, contact your Mentor or
Director of Learning and Teaching as soon as possible:
MSc/Diploma Petroleum Engineering Distance Learning:
Dr Julian Fennema, Director of Learning and Teaching
Julian.Fennema@pet.hw.ac.uk
Dr Rink van Dijke, Deputy Director of Learning and Teaching
rink@pet.hw.ac.uk

The following appendices are attached:Appendix A Examination Stationery Sample

Appendix B Anonymous Marking- Instructions for Candidates
Appendix C Examination Paper Front Pages

2.

Personal Identification

You are required to provide personal identification for the examination invigilator
when you arrive for an exam. The identification should have your photograph and for
residential students should be your matriculation card. A passport or identification
card such as your drivers licence can also be used.
Candidates should bring their matriculation card to each exam and display it on the
desk for the duration of the examination.

3.

Medical and other Problems

If you are ill, or encounter any other significant problem that interferes with your
preparation for the examinations or prevents you from attending the examinations, it
is imperative that you inform the Department (Mentor or Course Director) as soon as
possible. Written evidence, including a medical certificate where appropriate, is
required if you wish the problem to be formally taken into consideration by the
Examiners.

In an emergency, contact:
Examinations Office
Director of Learning & Teaching
Deputy Director Learning & Teaching
Learning and Teaching Manager

4.

+44 (0) 451 4048

+44 (0) 451 4139
+44 (0) 451 3694
+44 (0) 451 3807

Start Time

All examinations start at the scheduled time (see your letter of instruction) but the
Invigilator has the authority to delay the start time if it is considered necessary.
Students are not permitted to leave the Examination Room within the first 30 minutes
of the examination, except in an emergency. After the first hour of the examination
the admission of late arrivals will be at the discretion of the Invigilator.
Bags and coats must be left outside the Examination Rooms.
accordance with any instructions issued by an Invigilator.

5.

Please act in

Finish Time

Students are discouraged from leaving before the end of the time allocated.
However, if you are sure that you have finished, you may give your script to the
Invigilator and leave quietly, making sure that you cause a minimum of disturbance.
You will not then be allowed to return to the Examination Room until the Examination
has been completed.
During the 15 minute period preceding the end of the Examination, students are not
permitted to leave. This is to avoid the possibility of disturbance for those who are
trying to finish.
At the end of the allotted time, you must stop writing when so instructed by the
Invigilator.
Because of the anonymous marking procedure, collection of books takes a little more
time. This is to ensure that front pages have been properly completed and that the
number of answer books has been properly recorded. Students must remain in their
places until all books have been collected, or until dismissed by the Invigilator.

6.

Anonymous Marking

The University has a policy of anonymous marking. The procedure is based on

special examination stationery with a fold over corner that conceals the candidates
personal details until after the marking process is complete. At that time, two
nominated representatives of the Department examine all papers for evidence of
tampering and are then required to make a formal report to the University.

This system is administratively more reliable than the use of Matriculation or other
numerical codes. The one significant problem is that candidates cannot put
identifiers on separate sheets of graph paper, etc which may be part of their answer.
Therefore it is very important that such sheets be attached securely by
treasury tags to the main script.

Please read the following information attached to this document:

Appendix A A photocopy of the front page of the examination stationery.

Appendix B Anonymous Marking - Instructions for Candidates.

[Copies of this page are also distributed to all students at each examination]

7.

Open Book/Closed Book

If an examination is described as "Open Book", students are permitted to bring into

the examination room whatever written materials they wish. This may include lecture
notes, text books or pre-prepared notes. Use of additional aids, such as electronic
devices, is at the discretion of the Course Tutor. Otherwise the examination is
"Closed Book" and support material is restricted to items specifically authorised by
the Examiners. These are listed on the examination timetable and the front page of
the examination papers.
A student who brings unauthorised materials into the examination room or uses such
materials to gain advantage in an examination is in serious breach of the
Examination Regulations.
Please note that text, programs and mathematical
formulae in electronic form, eg: as stored in the memory or other part of a calculator
or similar electronic device or system, are considered to be the equivalent of other
forms of written or printed notes and are therefore subject to the same restrictions.
(Please read part 7 in your Programme Handbook available at
http://www.pet.hw.ac.uk/study/distance/attachments/fdil_handbook_2012.pdf
There is a section on Academic Misconduct web link at:
http://www.hw.ac.uk/ordinances/regulations.pdf

8.

Examination Structure

Appendix C provides you with a copy of the front page of each examination paper,
confirming the structure of the exam.

9.

Materials to be supplied by the Department

The Department will make available in the Examination Room, the following, in
addition to examination papers and answer books:(a)
(b)

SPE Conversion Tables.

Graph paper and any other special stationery as required.

10.

Calculators in Examinations University Policy

Where a calculator is required for the completion of an examination, a student may

use any basic scientific calculator, except the following: graphics calculator
programmable calculator and a calculator which features text storage or retrieval
facilities.
Academic Registry
February 2012

Use of an alternative requires the written authorisation of the Course Director and
such authorisation must be available for inspection by the Invigilator. Distance
Learning candidates should consult the course director if in doubt as to the suitability
of their calculator.
When using a calculator in an examination, it is important to remember that the
various stages of a calculation should be presented and explained. Otherwise it is
impossible for the Examiners to determine the cause of an incorrect answer and to
assign appropriate marks.

11.

Toilet

The Invigilator may allow students to leave the examination room, one at a time, to
visit the toilet. If you wish to leave the room you must ask the permission of the
Invigilator who will record the time on the Examination Record form.

12.

Etiquette

Students are required to remain quiet during the examination period and to refrain
from behaviour which may distract or irritate their neighbours. Once examination
question papers have been distributed, all conversation is forbidden.

INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

DECEMBER 2013
1.

Examination Timetable & Location

Check the information carefully and make a note of your exam dates. Also check the
location of your exams and ensure you know where to go on the day. The
examination timetable will be issued to you shortly before that particular scheduled
diet of exams. All residential exams are in the Department of Petroleum Engineering
and the timetable gives the room number.

2.

Materials to be supplied by the Student

Students are expected to provide a standard calculator (Casio fx-85WA, Casio fx85MS, Casio fx-85ES) and a suitable range of writing and drawing instruments for all
examinations.

(a)

Pens
Use whatever pens you are comfortable with. Use of a pencil for writing text is
discouraged as it is less legible than ink and does not leave a permanent
record. However, coloured pencils are useful for drawing and labelling
diagrams. Pencils are recommended for drawing or graphing where
modification may be required.

(b)

Drawing Instruments
The student is responsible for supplying materials appropriate to the specific
examination. For example, compasses and protractors may be required for
an examination with Rock Mechanics as a component. A 30 cm ruler should
be regarded as an essential instrument for all examinations.

(c)

Dictionaries
Students from overseas, whose first language is not English, are permitted to
use standard dictionaries from that language into English and vice versa.
Specialised technical dictionaries and encyclopaedia are not permitted.
Note: dictionaries may be inspected by an Invigilator and can be confiscated if
found to contain hand-written annotation.

3. Exam Preparation
3.1

Planning
a)

Early on decide how many days you will need to spend on each
subject.

b)

Make sure you spend time on your weaker subjects and do not avoid
them. But, do not be over-confident about your stronger subjects and
consequently neglect them.

c)

Realise there are distinct stages to learning:- acquiring, understanding,

memorising, and testing knowledge. Allow time for each of these
stages.

d)

Be realistic in your planning. Do not set yourself targets which you

have no chance of reaching. Consider the work you have to do, the
time you have and how fast you know you work. If you do not have
adequate time go back and reconsider the amount of topics which you
have decided to learn.

e)

Even if you deliberately set fairly easily reachable targets you will still
get a psychological boost each time you achieve your goal.

f)

Never forget that a plan should be flexible. You will not be able to keep
exactly to your plan so be prepared to alter it along the way.

g)

Include spare days in your revision plan. These can be used to catch
up on any topic which you may need to spend more time on.

h)

i)

3.2

Plan how and what you are going to revise during a specific day. This
should be continually reassessed a few days in advance - remember
keep it flexible!
Try to alternate between subjects and topics.

How to Revise
a)

Make the learning process distinctive in some manner. The more

distinctive the learning the greater probability you will remember it at
the vital time. For example, use different coloured paper and pens.
These will act as memory keys and hence aid your recall in an exam.
Similarly, rhymes or keywords will help you to remember lists of
information.

b)

Make use of Spider diagrams to force you to interact with the

information i.e. to process it in some form. This will aid your memory
and comprehension of the material. Straight-down-the-page notes

restrict you to a linear path of thought - a spider diagram enables you to

connect information in many different ways.
c)

3.3

3.4

Group revision sessions are an excellent way to improve understanding

and memory. In an exam when you are struggling to remember a point
the session where the topic was discussed will often come back to you.

Testing Yourself
a)

Sit down with a large blank piece of paper and write a topic name in the
centre and then build up a spider diagram around it.

b)

Simply add ideas as they come to you, drawing in lines to show how
they relate to each other. Once you have exhausted your ideas crossreference the flow diagram with your lecture notes, etc. to see what you
have missed.

c)

Practice answering questions, both from past papers and those which
you believe might be asked in your exam. Prepare a detailed outline
plan of the answer. Be prepared to chop and change the plan and
generally make a mess of it:- this is its role, to help you order your
thoughts.

d)

Once you have finished the plan refer back to your texts and notes and
see what you have managed to remember and what you have not. But
always try to include only information that is relevant to the question
asked, i.e:- not simply everything you know about the topic.

e)

Go through these processes a few times for each topic - you will soon
become aware of the points you need to spend more time on.

f)

Once it is obvious you know something be prepared to leave it alone your time would be better spent on things you do not know yet.

g)

Some people shy away from testing themselves because they are
afraid of finding out what they do not know. But stop and think about it,
this is the time to find out what you do not know, not in the exam.

Lifestyle
a)

Intersperse your revision sessions with days off, sport and social
occasions. Imagine your brain as a muscle - if you are constantly
working it will not have a chance to recover. If you rest it - i.e. take time
away from your work - it will recuperate and, in doing so, gain strength.
In the long run this is the best strategy for building muscle, not
exercising non-stop!

b)

On any day you revise also have adequate periods of non-work.

3.5

c)

Try not to work into the early hours of the morning and do not work too
many hours in any one day. If you do it is likely that your efforts will be
undermined because you end up feeling more and more tired and
consequently are no longer able to take in and process information
efficiently.

d)

When at rest make sure you do something to take your mind off your
work. It is not enough to simply stop working - thoughts will still go
around in your brain.

e)

Do not go straight to bed after revision as you will have difficulty

sleeping because your brain is still active. Do something which needs
your attention - TV may not be enough. Sport or an evening out is
good as by the time you go to bed you are not thinking about work and
are probably so tired that you fall asleep before your brain gets a
chance to start thinking again!

f)

Try not to work right up until the exams - especially the night before a
morning exam or the morning before an afternoon exam. Last minute
cramming is likely to do more harm than good as it clogs up your mind
and makes it harder to recall other knowledge.

Examination Technique
a)

Listen carefully to the instructions given by the Invigilator.

b)

Read carefully the instructions on the front page of the examination

paper. In particular, take note of the number of questions to be
answered and the time available.

c)

In examinations involving more than one lecturer, you may be required

to answer questions from different sections of the paper in different
coloured books. Failure to follow such instruction may lead to a delay
in the marking process.

d)

Make a rough calculation of the time available to answer each question

and monitor time as you progress through the examination. Keep in
mind the fact that it is generally easier to achieve the first few marks for
a question than the last few. In other words, two questions part
completed will probably provide a higher score than one which is fully
completed. It is important therefore that you plan enough time to
attempt the appropriate number of questions.

e)

Before answering a question, read it through carefully and consider

what the Examiner is looking for. It is important that your answer
reflects the question and is as comprehensive as you can achieve in
the time allotted. Remember that the Examiner may not give you any

credit for an eloquent answer if it does not directly address the question
which has been set.
Recall the advice given in the section on revision concerning Spider
Diagrams. It may be useful to tackle some questions by using this
approach in the examination to order your thoughts. These notes can
be scored out and then you can write a coherent answer.
f)

Use diagrams, with labels, as appropriate to illustrate a complex idea

and/or to save time.

g)

For numerical questions, make sure you lay out your workings clearly
so that the Examiner can follow your train of thought. You will be given
credit for correct methodology, even if the answer is wrong.

h) If you have time remaining at the end, use it productively to check your
workings and to review your answers. Make sure you attempt the
prescribed number of questions. The Examiner is not interested in marking
any more than the required number of answers. If you decide to attempt
an extra question, you must decide which one to discard. You must not
rely on the Examiner to select the best answers.

Appendix A
Examination Stationery

10

An Examination Answer Booklet

11

Appendix B
Anonymous Marking

12

ANONYMOUS MARKING
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES

1.

COMPLETE ALL SECTIONS ON FRONT COVER OF SCRIPT BOOK.

(Name, registration number, programme, year, signature, date, subject)

2.

COMPLETE DETAILS, AS ABOVE ON ANY ADDITIONAL SCRIPT

BOOKS USED.

3.

DO NOT SEAL GUMMED SECTIONS(S) UNTIL THE EXAMINATION IS

FINISHED.

4.

USE THE TREASURY TAG PROVIDED TO FASTEN ALL USED ANSWER

BOOKS. DO NOT TIE KNOTS LEAVE ANY UNUSED BOOKS LOOSE

5.

ENSURE THAT LOOSE PAGES (graph paper, drawing paper etc) ARE
FASTENED INSIDE THE SCRIPT BOOK, USING THE TREASURY TAG.
DO NOT ENTER CANDIDATE DETAILS ON ANY LOOSE PAGES.

6.

DO NOT COMPLETE STUDENT INFORMATION ON QUESTION PAPERS

WHICH ARE ALSO USED AS ANSWER BOOKS.

7.

FASTEN ALL ANSWER BOOKS INSIDE SCRIPT BOOKS USING THE

TAG PROVIDED.

8.

CHECK THAT ALL SECTIONS OF THE SCRIPT BOOK(S) ARE

COMPLETED AND THAT ALL ADDITIONAL BOOKS / PAGES ARE
SECURELY FASTENED.

9.

ENSURE THAT THE SCRIPT BOOKS ARE SEALED BEFORE HANDING

IN - DO NOT USE GLUE OF ANY KIND.

13

Appendix C
Examination Instructions for Candidates

14

EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES

Once you have entered an examination room, you are not permitted to talk to other
candidates.

Unless you have been given permission to have prior sight of the examination paper,
you are not permitted to start reading before the invigilator has announced that the
examination has started.

You are not permitted to start writing before the invigilator has announced that the
examination has started.

You must stop writing when instructed to do so by an invigilator.

Place your matriculation card or photographic Identification on your desk and in clear
view

You should not have any unauthorised electronic devices or pre-printed materials in the
examination room.

Cheating in an examination is treated very seriously by the University. If you do have

any material relevant to the exam which you have brought in by mistake, please hand it
over to an invigilator before the start of the examination.

Invigilators will carry out checks on authorised materials and calculators.

Attendance Slips complete all sections of the Attendance Slip including the seat
number, where one has been allocated. Remember to sign and date the slip.

Exam script books please complete all sections on the front of script books, including
the section on the right hand side, seat number, where one has been allocated, and
before you leave the Hall, the numbers of the questions that you have attempted.

Exam script books please read the instructions on front and back of the script books
regarding the return of script books to the invigilator. No script books (used or unused)
may be taken from the examination room.

All script books used must be completed as above and held together using the tag
provided.

For Multiple Choice Questions or examinations where a script book is not required,
please return all completed papers to the invigilator at the end of the examination. You
may not remove any scrap paper from the Hall.

If you require additional script books or authorised materials, please raise your hand
and an invigilator will assist you.

You must not leave the examination room in the first 30 minutes and not within the last
15 minutes of the examination. This includes requests to go to the toilet; in this
instance, please raise your hand and you will be escorted to the toilet by an invigilator.

If you have a query on an examination question paper, please raise your hand to notify
an invigilator. Queries can only be dealt with in the first 30 minutes of the examination.
If you have a query after 30 minutes, please notify an invigilator who will take
appropriate action.
Academic Registry
May 2006

15

Appendix D
Cheating in Examinations

16

TO ALL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

CHEATING IN EXAMINATIONS AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSESSMENT
With examinations approaching, the University Senate wishes to stress to students
that cheating in examinations and other assessed work is considered to be a very
serious offence. This includes copying and using plagiarised material in exams,
project essays and dissertations. Please note that you are required to bring your
Matriculation Card or other photographic ID with you to all examinations.
The penalties which may be imposed by the University Discipline Committee if an
allegation of cheating is admitted or proven are severe and include the following:

Annulment of all assessment results (including exams and projects) from the
Diet in which the incident of cheating occurred

Downgrading of the degree to be awarded

Suspension or expulsion from the University

You should be aware that reading exam papers prior to the start of an exam or even
taking unauthorised material into an exam is considered to be an attempt to cheat.
If you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism, information is provided in
student handbooks and further advice may be sought from Course Directors, Tutors
or Academic Mentors.
UNAUTHORISED MATERIAL/EQUIPMENT
All students are reminded that they should familiarise themselves with the University
regulations and policies regarding unauthorised materials and equipment. Students
should note that unauthorised calculators and dictionaries in examinations will be
removed by invigilators and that the Academic Registry is not responsible for
supplying calculators and replacements cannot be guaranteed. Students should
also note that if mobile phones are taken into exams, they must be switched off and
left in bags at the front of the hall. If a mobile phone rings during an exam,
invigilators have been instructed to remove the phone in the presence of another
invigilator as witness.

Kathy Patterson
University Registrar

17

Appendix E
Examination Paper Front Covers

18

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