MS221 - It's all over!

The exam is over, and I got off to a bad start, almost missing it completely as I'd got it into my head that it was at 13:30, and found out at the last minute it was at 10:00. I just managed to catch a train and get there with 15 minutes to spare.

As for the exam itself, it didn't go too well. I'd been trying past papers (3 in fact this week) and in each one, I only scored 34-39%, so I knew it was going to be touch and go. As it happened, I didn't have time to make a start ion part 2, (28% down the drain there). And failed to answer at least 2 of part one (another 12% there). So realistically, it's goping to be touch and go whether I pass or not, and even if I do, it will be a poor mark. I'm not holding my breath.

I knew I was going to struggle, as I'm pretty slow, and have a memory like a sieve when it comes to maths, but I did my best on the day. I just hope it was enough.

M257 Finished

On Tuesday I sat the M257 exam, and I was a bit disappointed with my performance. Despite finishing in 2 hours on each of the practice papers I tried, when it came to the actual exam, I actually ran out of time (3 hours). This was due mainly to me taking a bit more care over the answers, and trying to write neater.  I should have learned that this would happen from my M255 exam last year where I just managed to finish within the 3 hours.

I also made a bad choice of question in the second part, and chose the wrong one! In addition to making a few dumb errors on the first part.

Consequently, I think a distinction is out of the window this time, but still hope for the next best thing. I should find out by the end of July.

MS221 final TMA marked

Well, just 2 hours after posting about my fear of the impending exams, my marked TMA04 for MS221 dropped through the letterbox, and I got another good mark. 93% for this one.

It has lifted my spirits a bit, because it means I've done all I can in the continual assesment aspect of the course, and now it's just down to how well I do in the exam.

Exams Looming (wishing I had more time)

Just over a week to go to my exams, and frankly at this stage I'm pretty worried about it. I've been going through maths exercises becoming more and more depressed as I can barely remember a thing!

I'm going to have to focus on the MS221 entirely and just hope I can scrape through. I will put one or two days of revision in for M257, which I think should be enough to get me through that, but maybe not enough for a distinction, but it will have to be enough as I can't afford to fail MS221.

This seems utterly bizarre to people when I tell them how worried I am, since I've scored so highly in TMA's. But having books to hand, and all the time in the world makes a BIG difference.

Wish me luck!

M257 TM03 marked

98% for this one, so I'm more than satisfied. Just the exam now.

Clearing the plate

I sent in my funal TMA for M257 this morning, which means it's over apart from the exam in June. That on top of getting my first M362 TMA in a couple of days ago, and my closing in on completing MST121 means I'm finally clearing off what was a very crowded plate!

The truth is, I bit off more than I could chew this year. 110 credits in a year is theoretically 1100 hours of study, which amounts to a tad over 3 hours per day, holidays included!

Add to that a demanding full-time job, and I'm starting to realise why I've been struggling.

But I'm starting to feel in control of the situation again, so that's got to be good.

M362 First TMA completed

Well, I finally got around to doing this. I only had a week to spare, but it took less time than I expected. The coding tasks were straight forward, but I didn't enjoy the other parts. Too much "discuss..." or "explain why..." for my liking, I much prefer just cranking out program code. My mark will probably suffer as a result.

Still, it's off my plate now and I can focus on MS221 with the dreaded exam looming ever nearer!