Getting ready

Lots to remember to bring along for setting up the exhibition -Meanwhile at home the portfolio is almost ready - these are the paper hoops we have to jump through -
Supporting statement, tutorial reports, personal statement (hidden but there), statement of intent, exhibition plan, self-reflective journal, copy of essay, sketchbooks. And of course the worksheets. Giving a true picture of our work to the external examiner?

Here's how the official assessment works. First term we had an informal portfolio review, in class, of all the work we'd done in the term - this was practice for presenting work in a portfolio (no we are not born knowing how to do this!). Second term the review was individually, by two tutors, and lasted about 20 minutes - no official grading. Third term, same again, but this time "our marks" went on record. And now, tutors who don't know our work will be doing the final assessment based on the exhibition and the supporting work in the portfolio, possibly taking a little longer than 20 minutes where necessary. Then, another day, the external examiner will be walking around the exhibition with a list, and if he/she disagrees, the portfolio will be looked at very closely.

For some people this process is very important as they've been offered university places conditional on achieving a certain grade. For others, the assessment doesn't matter so much - it's been about the doing and the learning. But of course you want to be told you've done well - wouldn't be worth doing otherwise?