Lancaster uni written test 2013

snapej · Post by **snapej** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:44 pm

Hi all,

Just had an email inviting me to the written test at Lancaster on the 26th Feb (yay). Anyone else? Also, any advice on how to prepare? I have found the past questions here: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/shm/study/doctor ... n_Task.php and printed these but i've never applied before so have no idea how else i can prepare for the exam. Should i research any specific topics?

Thanks,
Jess.

anna88 · Post by **anna88** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 3:39 pm

Hey,

I'll be there as a first timer too!! I recently attended an assistants meeting where some trainees presented about the Lancaster selection process. These were their tips for the written test:

Practise the past papers: this is the best way to get a feel for what they are asking and what 250 words ‘looks like’. You will be expected to roughly know (or count) how many words you have written, if it looks largely over they will count.

Do not try to demonstrate wider knowledge, only work with the information given.

Focus on writing a structured, coherent piece. Aim for a beginning, middle and conclusion. Always try to make a decision, avoid sitting on the fence.

Revising some basic stats will be useful.

Ensure spelling and grammar are correct.

Look at past papers for examples and often the same questions will be asked and likely to be asked again (t-tests)
You do not need to use ALL the abstracts given to you, some people get through using 3/6, others use all of them. In the past one abstract has a been a ‘red herring’ which is not actually directly linked to question (but this is unusual)
ten test:

Hope that helps. x

Will · Post by **Will** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 5:28 pm

Nice to see that someone was listening

Good luck with the exam!

Boatgirl · Post by **Boatgirl** » Sun Feb 10, 2013 2:01 pm

Hey!
I agree with the advice given above. I passed the test last year, although didn't get on the course. Can't remember a red herring. What worries me slightly is that this year the test is hand written. Hand written! For the sins! I type much faster than I write, and you can't just delete what you've written, you have to write a draft, in which case write very quickly, or get it right the first time...
ough.

nikkila · Post by **nikkila** » Sun Feb 10, 2013 6:50 pm

Thank you for the advice anna88, thats really helpful. Boatgirl> re: this is what worries me also im questioning wether it is worth me doing it! as i didnt get an interview last year and just when i get my head round it, they chage it to hand written!! i really dont understand why they would do this, people struggle with the time and word count as it is!! I thought it was an error had to phone to double check!!!

sarahg · Post by **sarahg** » Sun Feb 10, 2013 7:17 pm

Don't worry, everyone will be in the same boat

Just practise trying to keep your writing short and concise.

nikkila · Post by **nikkila** » Sun Feb 10, 2013 8:11 pm

Awwh thank you, i will do

parisienne · Post by **parisienne** » Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:33 pm

Hi all,

Thanks for the tips on the Lancaster questions, its nice to know that there is a method of sorts to success.

I was told in an email about this additional test which doesn't affect our entrance that is being trialled by computer, has anyone else had that? I don't think its compulsory but it sounded like to me that they are working out if its a reliable indicator and comparing with application success? With a view to having a different test?

P

Boatgirl · Post by **Boatgirl** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:32 pm

parisienne wrote:Hi all,

Thanks for the tips on the Lancaster questions, its nice to know that there is a method of sorts to success.

I was told in an email about this additional test which doesn't affect our entrance that is being trialled by computer, has anyone else had that? I don't think its compulsory but it sounded like to me that they are working out if its a reliable indicator and comparing with application success? With a view to having a different test?

P

Hey,
I've just done this test and I think it's quite good in itself but not sure how it's supposed to predict application success. I wonder if we could find out later this year

I also wonder what theory underpins the motivation to trial it.

Boatgirl

BenJMan · Post by **BenJMan** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:50 pm

Boatgirl wrote: not sure how it's supposed to predict application success

I suspect that is exactly what they want to find out. If it does in fact predict application success

Boatgirl · Post by **Boatgirl** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 11:11 pm

I've just realized, I hope I didn't breach any rules regarding sharing information about selection tests. All candidates got this e-mail and Lancaster tends to be quite open about their selection procedures, so I hope it's ok. However, I shall shut up about it now just in case.

BenJMan · Post by **BenJMan** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 11:37 pm

No no, the additional test has NOTHING to do with selection this year, therefore no need for it to be considered as anything confidential.

Bambis · Post by **Bambis** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 5:50 pm

How do you know its hand written? I thought it was on a computer?!

Bambis · Post by **Bambis** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 5:53 pm

I've just found the answer to my question...noooo!

Boatgirl · Post by **Boatgirl** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 10:19 pm

BenJMan wrote:
Boatgirl wrote: not sure how it's supposed to predict application success
I suspect that is exactly what they want to find out. If it does in fact predict application success

I guess I wasn't clear; what I meant was that I assume somebody had a rationale and a hypothesis for this exercise, so I'm curious about it