Unisa 2009 Exam Absence Survey

One of Unisa's main concerns is to ensure the success of each and every student in their examinations and, ultimately, their graduation in the shortest possible time. It has become evident that many students, including you, were admitted to the October/November 2009 examinations but were absent from some or all of their examination sessions. The University would like to understand the reasons for this. The purpose is to provide better support and encouragement to all students so that absence from the examination can be minimised. We would therefore appreciate it if you could complete this short questionnaire. It will take no longer than 15 minutes of your time. Your participation will contribute greatly to helping us to help you succeed in your examinations and studies. We have identified students absent from the examinations according to available information as at 19 January 2010. Please note that where examination results are still outstanding, students are recorded on our systems as absent until the results are received. If this applies to you, that is, you did in fact write the examination, please ignore this request. Please note the following:

The information provided by you will be strictly confidential and will only be used to enhance Unisas support for students. Please be frank and honest in answering the questions. Please respond to each question that is applicable to you. Your experiences might apply to one or more examination and course. Please answer the questions in relation to your overall experience. If you cannot complete the survey in one sitting, please make a note of the user name and password provided by the system so that you can log in again to complete it. If possible, please complete the survey by 29 January 2010.

If you have any queries, please contact the Department of Information and Strategic Analysis (DISA): 012-429 2528 or chettyb@unisa.ac.za

* 01: Please provide us with your student number Please write your answer here: * 02: Are you a full-time or part-time student? Please choose *only one* of the following: Full-Time (Study only) Part-Time (Work and Study) * 03: To how many examinations did you gain admission in the October/November 2009 examination session? Please write your answer here:

* 04: Of these, how many did you actually write? Please write your answer here: * 05: What were the main reasons contributing to your absence from any/all of the examinations? Please choose *all* that apply: Academic Factors (e.g. I did not understand the subject material; I did not receive adequate feedback on assignments) Non-academic factors (personal aspects, e.g. motivation; confidence) Factors within your control (things which I could have prevented/managed myself, e.g. better time management and more effort) Factors beyond your control (external things over which I had no control, e.g. I/family member was ill; too many domestic/work responsibilities) * 06: How well prepared did you feel for the examination? Please choose *only one* of the following: Very well prepared Somewhat prepared A little prepared Not at all prepared [Only answer this question if you answered 'Somewhat prepared' or 'A little prepared' or 'Not at all prepared' to question '06 '] * 06.1: Why did you not feel prepared for the examination? Please choose *all* that apply: I did not have enough time to study I did not understand the study material I did not receive adequate feedback on my assignments I did not know what to expect in the examination I did not feel confident to write I did not feel motivated to write Other: * 06.2: In what ways did you study for the examination? Please choose *all* that apply: I read the study material I summarized the study material I memorized the study material

I used the prescribed textbook (where applicable) I used additional material/sources beyond the prescribed study material I worked through previous examination papers I drew up a study timetable I participated in face-to-face study/discussion groups with fellow students I participated in on-line study/discussion groups with fellow students Other: * 07: Did you feel that you needed more academic support from your lecturer to prepare properly for the examination? Please choose *only one* of the following: Yes No [Only answer this question if you answered 'Yes' to question '07 '] * 07.1: Did you try to contact the lecturer concerned? Please choose *only one* of the following: Yes No [Only answer this question if you answered 'Yes' to question '07.1 '] * 07.2: Which of the following statements best describe your attempts to contact your lecturer? Please choose *all* that apply: I tried to contact the lecturer but the lecturer was not available I contacted the lecturer and received satisfactory support I contacted the lecturer and received unsatisfactory support I contacted the lecturer during the morning I contacted the lecturer during the afternoon I contacted the lecturer after hours I contacted the lecturer via e-mail I contacted the lecturer via myUnisa I contacted the lecturer by telephone I contacted the lecturer by letter I contacted the lecturer in person (face-to-face) Other: [Only answer this question if you answered 'No' to question '07.1 '] * 07.3: Why did you not try to contact the lecturer concerned?

Please choose *all* that apply: I did not have the time to contact the lecturer I did not know the lecturer's contact details I did not think that it would be useful My previous experience was that the lecturer was not interested or willing to help My previous experience was that the lecturer was not available Other: * 08: Were tutorial classes offered in any of the courses which you did not write? Please choose *only one* of the following: Yes No Don't know [Only answer this question if you answered 'Yes' to question '08 '] * 08.1: Did you attend any tutorial classes? Please choose *only one* of the following: Yes No [Only answer this question if you answered 'Yes' to question '08.1 '] * 08.2: How would you rate the tutorial classes that you attended? Please choose *only one* of the following: I found the tutorial classes helpful I did not find the tutorial classes helpful [Only answer this question if you answered 'No' to question '08.1 '] * 08.3: Why did you not attend the tutorial classes? Please choose *all* that apply: I did not have the time to attend tutorial classes The times of tutorial classes were not convenient The location of the venue was too far away/not easily accessible I did not have information about the times/venues of the tutorial classes I could not afford to travel to the venue I needed tutorial support, but did not think that attending classes would be helpful Other: * 09: Did you feel that you needed support from Unisa's counselling services to help you address the factors preventing you from writing the examination?

Please choose *only one* of the following: Yes No [Only answer this question if you answered 'Yes' to question '09 '] * 09.1: Did you try contacting Unisa's counselling services? Please choose *only one* of the following: Yes No [Only answer this question if you answered 'Yes' to question '09.1 '] * 09.2: Which of the following statements describe your experience with Unisa's counselling services? Please choose *all* that apply: I tried to contact Unisa's counselling services but did not succeed I contacted Unisa's counselling services and received satisfactory support I contacted Unisa's counselling services and received unsatisfactory support I contacted Unisa's counselling services during the morning I contacted Unisa's counselling services during the afternoon I contacted Unisa's counselling services after hours I contacted Unisa's counselling services via e-mail I contacted Unisa's counselling services by telephone I contacted Unisa's counselling services via sms I contacted Unisa's counselling services in person (face-to-face) Other: [Only answer this question if you answered 'No' to question '09.1 '] * 09.3: Why did you not try to contact Unisa's counselling services? Please choose *all* that apply: I did not have the time to contact Unisa's counselling services I did not think it would be useful Other: * 10: Did you consult anyone when making the decision not to write the examination? Please choose *only one* of the following: Yes No [Only answer this question if you answered 'Yes' to question '10 '] 10.1: Whom did you consult?

Please choose *all* that apply: Family Friends Other students Colleagues at work Employer Medical doctor Private psychologist/psychiatrist Religious leader Unisa Lecturer Unisa Counsellor Unisa tutor Other: [Only answer this question if you answered 'Yes' to question '10 '] * 10.2: Did the advice you received influence your decision not to write the examination? Please choose *only one* of the following: Yes No (I took the decision on my own) * 11: Did you have enough time to study? Please choose *only one* of the following: Yes No [Only answer this question if you answered 'No' to question '11 '] * 11.1: Why did you not have enough time to study? Please choose *all* that apply: I did not receive the study materials in time I did not receive the study materials at all My work responsibilities interfered with my studies My domestic responsibilities interfered with my studies My social life interfered with my studies I did not have enough study leave Other: [Only answer this question if you answered 'Yes' to question '11 '] * 11.2: Although you had enough time to study, did you actually spend enough time studying?

Please choose *only one* of the following: Yes No [Only answer this question if you answered 'No' to question '11.2 '] * 11.3: Why did you not actually spend enough time studying? Please choose *all* that apply: I was not interested in the study material The course did not cover the topics I thought it would cover The course was not relevant to my future work/career I did not feel motivated to study My social life distracted me Other: * 12: What other factors were responsible for your not writing the examination? Please choose *all* that apply: I was ill Work responsibilities prevented me Domestic responsibilities prevented me My social life prevented me I was late for the examination(my own fault) I was late for the examination (unreliable transport) I was late for the examination (other reasons) I had the wrong information about the examination venue I had the wrong date for the examination I had the wrong time for the examination I did not have the money to travel to the examination centre Other: * 13: Did you feel that there were strong consequences for your not writing the examination? Please choose *only one* of the following: Yes No [Only answer this question if you answered 'Yes' to question '13 '] * 13.1: What did you think the consequences of not writing the examination would be? Please choose *all* that apply: My family would be disappointed

My family would withdraw financial and other support My employer would be disappointed My employer would withdraw financial and other support My employer would not provide another opportunity to write My lecturer would be disappointed I would be disappointed in myself The completion of my studies would be postponed Other financial support would be lost Other: [Only answer this question if you answered 'No' to question '13 '] * 13.2: Why did you feel that there would be no strong consequences for not writing the examination? Please choose *all* that apply: My family would understand My family would continue to support me financially and otherwise My employer would understand My employer would continue to support me financially and otherwise My employer would provide another oportunity for me to write I was not concerned as I could simply write again at the next Unisa examination Other: * 14: What do you think Unisa could have done better to ensure that you wrote the examination? Please number each box in order of preference from 1 to 11 Better counselling support Better access to counselling support Better lecturer support Better access to lecturer support Better tutorial support Better access to tutorial support More general encouragement and support Earlier distribution of study material Better study material Clearer information of what is required for the examination Clearer information regarding examination times and venues Submit Your Survey.

Thank you for completing this survey.