Question to Exam Committee - pruned version

[captn]

This is a severely pruned version of this thread, limited to evaluation of specific candidate answers and resulting questions about those. Please stay on topic here. - Mod1

I got my CAS 6 exam results back.

For one of the question which was rather long, question 35 - the Adler Kline claims closure question, I remember going through several steps to finally get at the solution but was only awarded 0 - 24% which seems impossibly low.

How do we as candidates know that the 0 - 24% is not listed because the answer sheet was not able to be located?

[Arlie_Proctor]

If you believe that there is a chance that answer sheet was misplaced, you can inquire with Bob Craver at the CAS office. He should be able to verify without too much effort whether or not there was a written response from you in the packet that went to the graders.

That said, it's somewhat of an unusual request and one that Bob is not obligated to fulfill. So make sure that you ask VERY NICELY.

[SpauldingSmails]

I try to give the benefit of the doubt to the CAS whenever possible but this is absurd. If the current procedure does not obligate the CAS from simply confirming that an answer sheet was received then the procedure is wrong. This could be a checkmark/asterisk on the grade report next to each question number showing that your paper was received, graded and, in the worst of cases, that you got 0 points. In the meantime, the CAS should do what is necessary to serve the members and future members - we're all on the same team here.

[Arlie_Proctor]

By the time we reach this stage, there has been more than enough verification for each candidate. The process starts with an evaluation of each candidate's papers as the envelopes are opened. For any questions that are missing, staff create a blank page with the candidate and question number. For pages missing the candidate number, staff add the candidate number. Any missing sheets are noted in the grading process and the staff verify whether or not the sheet exists in the original pile. Additionally, the grading process looks for answers that appear to respond to the wrong question and move the response to the correct grading pair. It's basically been tripled checked at this point.

However, if you call and ask nicely, you can almost always get someone to spend a few moments checking something for you or answering your question, even if it is not part of what they "must do" for their job. If you call and make rude demands, then the request gets kicked up the chain of command where it becomes an irritant to a wide group.

It takes at least two to make a team, SpauldingSmails. If the initiating "team" member starts off with guns blazing, the team part never happens.

[much ado about nothing]

just a thought here - is it possible that on a 3 point adler kline question, getting the correct answer does not mean you get full credit. maybe the graders want to see all the interim steps, triangles, ratios, etc, and if you do this on the side or don't make the methodology clear they take off points. and then, if you somehow get the answer wrong too, then the graders may not be as kind in giving partial credit.

[tommie frazier]

misinterpreting the triangle as incremental instead of cumulative or whatever-partial credit can stil be earned so long as the error in part a doesn;t make b-z trivial.

as arlie said, lost sheets are hard to identify, since candidates are asked to insert blanks where they skipped and the staff inserts it anyway. that's why I am a fan (and posted in some thread after Arlie asked for suggestions) that exam papers be scanned into a pdf immediately out of the envelope. if you left #34 out, you would see it. (wouldn't tell you where the heck it went or anything, and the cas wouldn't know either.)

[Arlie_Proctor]

If you're really convinced that you nailed this question and got no credit, e-mail me your candidate number and I'll look into it. We will find the answer sheet and post it here and we can all review it and determine whether or not you received appropriate credit. If you did not receive appropriate credit, we will find a basis to appeal it and correct it.

However, you must be willing to discuss your answer sheet in a public forum once we find your answer and confirm that it is indeed yours.

[gausszhou]

I would like to take the offer also, if possible.

Hi, Arlie Proctor, I already sent you an email and I will very appreciate you if you could have a look at it.

My solution is 344,354. I believe there are also some other candidates who want to know why 344,354 is not the right answer. For myself, I hope you help could reestablish my confidence to take further exams! It is really painful to fail an exam that I believe I could pass with high confidence.

Thanks!

[captn]

i'll do it!

just need a moment to get all things together for this tommorow.

....

even if the prior post is correct - which i think it is

it'll be interesting and "educational" and perhaps even humorous

[Arlie_Proctor]

I have the information any will acquire the answer sheets in the near future. Please have a little patience (read, don't rush on the popcorn). This is a busy time of year for someone working in a reserving department and the CAS staff is focused on getting the sample answers published.