Dear Editor,
I've read what was published in the Observer of Friday, December 12, 2014 regarding the student nurses and their exams. It's quite an upstir and, based on the comments I've read, I realise most of those who comment on the article, speak out of ignorance.
It's not a matter of the students aiming for minimum standard or mediocre grade, but sometimes that's just what you end up with. Even the strongest student. Failure does not make them less competent than those who pass.
I agree with some of the comments, and yes, the students should have scored way above the 60 per cent ceiling, but a grade of 60 or 66 per cent is hard to get. It might appear too little for an exam of this nature, but ask the doctors what their passing marks are. Maybe 10 per cent above nurses, if so much. It's not easy. Did you know UWI's pass mark for students is 50 per cent? This 50 per cent is hard to get, and they will tell you that.
Even if these students all got 80 per cent there would have been a problem. When you sit an exam, if the percentage of students passing the exam exceeds the expectation, investigations ensue. If it's too low, likewise. I did a test once and over 90 per cent of the class aced the test, we performed way beyond what was expected. We were made to do over the test. It's a general thing.
I therefore believe this is what might have led to the problem. The students did well; better than expected and as such the Council was forced to raise the bar. Especially since the change to the format of the exam being strictly multiple-choice questions. These students were the first to do it. They can't afford to have over a certain pass rate, and that's a fact. So either way there would have been a problem.
The students did their best. An exam of that nature is not easy to prepare for. Don't look at it being dissatisfied that 60 per cent was even the pass mark. Do you know how hard it is to get?
Those with the 80s and 90s who, based on the online comments, the public prefers to care for them, might not even be as competent in nursing standards. Nursing is really a hands-on experience. If you put some of these students with the 90s to the test you will realise they are not much better than those who got below average. The above average does not make one a better or more competent nurse, and that's a fact.
T P
tommie_prycees@hotmail.com
60 per cent is hard to get!
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I've read what was published in the Observer of Friday, December 12, 2014 regarding the student nurses and their exams. It's quite an upstir and, based on the comments I've read, I realise most of those who comment on the article, speak out of ignorance.
It's not a matter of the students aiming for minimum standard or mediocre grade, but sometimes that's just what you end up with. Even the strongest student. Failure does not make them less competent than those who pass.
I agree with some of the comments, and yes, the students should have scored way above the 60 per cent ceiling, but a grade of 60 or 66 per cent is hard to get. It might appear too little for an exam of this nature, but ask the doctors what their passing marks are. Maybe 10 per cent above nurses, if so much. It's not easy. Did you know UWI's pass mark for students is 50 per cent? This 50 per cent is hard to get, and they will tell you that.
Even if these students all got 80 per cent there would have been a problem. When you sit an exam, if the percentage of students passing the exam exceeds the expectation, investigations ensue. If it's too low, likewise. I did a test once and over 90 per cent of the class aced the test, we performed way beyond what was expected. We were made to do over the test. It's a general thing.
I therefore believe this is what might have led to the problem. The students did well; better than expected and as such the Council was forced to raise the bar. Especially since the change to the format of the exam being strictly multiple-choice questions. These students were the first to do it. They can't afford to have over a certain pass rate, and that's a fact. So either way there would have been a problem.
The students did their best. An exam of that nature is not easy to prepare for. Don't look at it being dissatisfied that 60 per cent was even the pass mark. Do you know how hard it is to get?
Those with the 80s and 90s who, based on the online comments, the public prefers to care for them, might not even be as competent in nursing standards. Nursing is really a hands-on experience. If you put some of these students with the 90s to the test you will realise they are not much better than those who got below average. The above average does not make one a better or more competent nurse, and that's a fact.
T P
tommie_prycees@hotmail.com
60 per cent is hard to get!
-->