Do any markers read this forum?

[PJW]

An example was a mathematical PhD which was one single side of A4 (less than 20 minutes writing). Simple proof that understanding of the subject can be delivered in a simple, concise way and be the right answer!

While I agree whole-heartedly with this, unfortunately the IRSE don't see it that way. From the 2004 exam review (Module 3 Part B):
"one side of A4 paper as an answer is unlikely to gain you very many marks".
So it's about quantity as well as quality apparently.

Certainly there must be sufficient to cover the full range of the question and therefore I agree that it is unlikely (assuming a well constructed question comparable with the others on the paper) that it could be adequately answered in less than 3 sides of typical presentation. Whereas in proving a mathmatical theorem this may be possible by a very clever and succinct method, I can't conceive that a written answer could ever be that brief [although potentially a track circuit calculation or headway calculation ma be able to benefit from very economical presentation yet still have enough detail to be obviously explicable].

Excellent quality isn't by itself sufficient unless it also covers the full scope- this isn't judged by quantity but obviously a very brief answer could never hope to be sufficiently wide ranging.

We were offered that some sample typical answers would everntually be forthcoming for a couple of the 2010 mod1 questions, so that should give a clue re what is expected within 20 minutes.

It wasn't stated if the format for mod1 will be retained for 2011; the working assumption is that it will be. Note that the IRSE Exam committee themselves would not have the authoriy to make the module 1 paper a 90 minute one; it is however possible that they could escalate to the Professional Development Committee who would be able to take such a decision. Indeed given the results of mod 1 in 2010, there is inevitably going to be a review of the reasons for the deterioration following a change designed to improve. There may actually be various other factors at work and indeed there was some useful discussion on this subject last night with varuious suggestions being put forward as worthy of investigation to try to understand what is happening and why.

Overall the view I got from the floor last night was that most felt that changing to 3 x 30 minute questions would be a sensible change, although there are concerns that it may give problems at certain exam centres and thus a range of stake-holders to persuade.