Procedures for the Part A Membership Examinations
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Examination Preparation
Examination Allocation
Approximately two weeks after the closing date candidates will receive an examination allocation letter. This shows the date of the examination for which the applicant has entered, the starting and finishing times, the examination centre address and examination number. This letter should be kept in a safe place and the date, time and centre noted. Losing or misreading the letter is not an acceptable reason for failing to attend or arriving late at an examination. The examination number must be indicated on the answer folders and should be quoted in all correspondence with the Education Department.
Invigilators.
Each examination is supervised by an invigilator whose job is to ensure that the examination is conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Faculty. The invigilator has authority in matters regarding admission to the examination hall, permission to use the toilets and discipline in general. He/She will inform candidates of the starting and finishing times for each exam paper, use of exam materials etc. Each invigilator will report to the Chair of the Diploma & Part I Examiners detailing any queries or problems which may occur. In cases of serious and prolonged disruption of the examination the invigilator will liaise with the Chair and Academic Registrar to determine the most suitable course of action.
Identification.
All candidates are required to bring photo-identity cards (hospital cards or passports) with them to the examination hall. These must be placed on the exam desks during each Paper of the examination, to be checked by the invigilator. If candidates fail to produce this proof of identity their scripts will be marked but not credited, until the Faculty is satisfied of the candidate's identity.
Examination Materials
Candidates should bring at least one ballpoint pen or ink pen (with dark ink) to the examination hall. Other items which may be used in the examination are: pencils, ruler, eraser (but note that pencil does not reproduce well in the photocopies which are sent to examiners for marking). Prohibited items include English and/or foreign language dictionaries, calculators, laptop computers, personal organisers and radio pagers. Calculators will be provided by the invigilators. The model provided will be a basic (non-scientific) pocket calculator - e2 design from WHSmith - with memory and square root functions but no floating decimal point. A knowledge of engineering notation will therefore be useful in the calculation of extremely large or small numbers (over 8 digits in length). Statistical tables will not be provided. Mobile telephones and alarm clocks must be switched off.
Examination Preparation | The Examination | After the Examination | Appeals