Slope stability
Date: 8 April 2009
EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE
1 INTRODUCTION The pointers discussed below were compiled to assist rock engineering students attempting the written examinations for the Chamber of Mines Strata Control and Rock Mechanics Certificates.
2 BEFORE ENTERING THE EXAM VENUE
2.1 Confirm the location of the exam venue, how long it takes to get there and allow for any minor mishaps and traffic congestion in planning travelling time.
2.2 Make sure you have a watch that can measure time in minutes – cell phones may not be permitted in the exam hall.
2.3 Check that your calculator has fresh batteries and you have a spare set, that you have sufficient pens, pencils, coloured pencils, highlighters, erasers and any other drawing instruments such as protractors, rulers, scale rules, a pair of compasses etc that may be required.
2.4 Use the toilet.
2.5 A calm and relaxed demeanour or state of mind is essential for recalling knowledge from the data bank of your brain. Avoid situations that will increase your already elevated level of stress. For example, do not discuss the work and the upcoming exam with your fellow candidates before entering the exam hall. Such discussions will not improve your knowledge, but only increase your anxiety.
2.6 Your brain will require glucose or sugar to function properly. It is therefore advisable to increase your glucose intake before the exam and is generally not a bad idea to have a sweet snack with you during the exam.
3 TIME ALLOCATION
3.1 The pace at which the examination is written should enable a 3-hour paper to be completed in 2½-hours.
3.2 Allow yourself 15 minutes to read the question paper carefully.
3.3 Allocate the time per question according to the marks allocated to the question. Assuming a 3-hour 100-mark exam (remember you allow yourself 2½ hours or 150 minutes to complete the examination), 1½ minutes are allocated for every mark available.
3.4 Allow yourself 15 minutes at the
EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE
1 INTRODUCTION The pointers discussed below were compiled to assist rock engineering students attempting the written examinations for the Chamber of Mines Strata Control and Rock Mechanics Certificates.
2 BEFORE ENTERING THE EXAM VENUE
2.1 Confirm the location of the exam venue, how long it takes to get there and allow for any minor mishaps and traffic congestion in planning travelling time.
2.2 Make sure you have a watch that can measure time in minutes – cell phones may not be permitted in the exam hall.
2.3 Check that your calculator has fresh batteries and you have a spare set, that you have sufficient pens, pencils, coloured pencils, highlighters, erasers and any other drawing instruments such as protractors, rulers, scale rules, a pair of compasses etc that may be required.
2.4 Use the toilet.
2.5 A calm and relaxed demeanour or state of mind is essential for recalling knowledge from the data bank of your brain. Avoid situations that will increase your already elevated level of stress. For example, do not discuss the work and the upcoming exam with your fellow candidates before entering the exam hall. Such discussions will not improve your knowledge, but only increase your anxiety.
2.6 Your brain will require glucose or sugar to function properly. It is therefore advisable to increase your glucose intake before the exam and is generally not a bad idea to have a sweet snack with you during the exam.
3 TIME ALLOCATION
3.1 The pace at which the examination is written should enable a 3-hour paper to be completed in 2½-hours.
3.2 Allow yourself 15 minutes to read the question paper carefully.
3.3 Allocate the time per question according to the marks allocated to the question. Assuming a 3-hour 100-mark exam (remember you allow yourself 2½ hours or 150 minutes to complete the examination), 1½ minutes are allocated for every mark available.
3.4 Allow yourself 15 minutes at the