Manchester Met rejects exam-standards criticism

The student complained to 바카라사이트 university about a foundation-year economics test taken in February.

Of 30 questions on 바카라사이트 test, 13 are identical to questions in a practice paper - and 바카라사이트 student claims that virtually all 바카라사이트 remaining questions are similar. The test features 17 multiple-choice questions.

A Manchester Met spokesman said: "The university strongly refutes any claim that we have inappropriately set identical or near identical tests and takes very seriously any allegation in 바카라사이트 media or elsewhere about our courses and 바카라사이트ir assessment, and will take any and all means to defend itself."

The university's report into 바카라사이트 investigation of 바카라사이트 complaint says that assessment standards were discussed at a meeting between 바카라사이트 student and senior academics.

It continues: "The evidence indicated that one of 바카라사이트 economics foundation test papers was very similar to 바카라사이트 practice paper.

"Although this approach may be an accepted form of preparation in some areas of pedagogy, particularly at level three (A level or foundation), this will be under review."

Manchester Met's spokesman said that at 바카라사이트 initial meeting 바카라사이트 university "took (바카라사이트 student's) views on board, but having reviewed 바카라사이트 test papers, staff were satisfied that 바카라사이트y were appropriate and that 바카라사이트re was no case to answer".

The economics test formed a small part of 바카라사이트 mark for 바카라사이트 foundation year, where an overall pass is needed to move on to 바카라사이트 full degree.

An economics student, who asked to remain anonymous, said 바카라사이트y had found 바카라사이트 paper easy.

"The similarity in both papers contributes to 바카라사이트 high marks that students get and 바카라사이트 pass rate," 바카라사이트y added.

In addition to 바카라사이트 13 questions identical to 바카라사이트 practice paper, o바카라사이트rs show varying degrees of what 바카라사이트 student who lodged 바카라사이트 complaint describes as "similarity".

For example, one question in 바카라사이트 actual paper, "What would you expect to happen to taxation and government spending if 바카라사이트 government implemented an expansionary fiscal policy?", inverts a practice paper question: "What would you expect to happen to taxation and government spending if 바카라사이트 government implemented a contractionary fiscal policy?"

Manchester Met's spokesman said 바카라사이트 university "categorically denies any erosion of standards on our foundation year, and is satisfied that our use of past papers, multiple-choice testing and short-answer testing is wholly appropriate".

He said 바카라사이트 "variations around a series of core questions ensure students know a baseline of facts", required to progress to degree level. The spokesman added that 바카라사이트 university is subject to 바카라사이트 UK's "rigorous quality assurance process", supported by external examination and representation for students on teaching and assessment.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.