Surpised to see no vents on this topic. In London we had high frequency feedback through the PA system which went on for what seemed like an eternity, though probably lasted only about 20 minutes. Think fire-alarm annoying. WTF? No proctor trained to use an ‘off’ button? I was very pissed of about this. I just couldn’t concentrate. This happened afer about half an hour, and just componded the already difficult time pressures. I am truly lost for words that no credit is made for this sort of event. I knew all of the material of the first paper but left a trail of stupid mistakes and improperly explained responses as I sped through to complete the paper. Killed the second paper, but didn’t we all… Dear Mr. APP, Thank you for contacting us regarding your June 2010 exam. We regret the unfortunate circumstance that you experienced; however, CFA Institute cannot take this situation into consideration when grading your exam. Please understand that we cannot assess how your experience at the test center may or may not have affected your performance; there is simply no way to measure actual impact. Rest assured that we will grade your exam thoroughly because we are committed to ensuring that all candidates receive fair and consistent grading. We appreciate your participation in the CFA Program and wish you continued success. Regards, Amy Ritz | Client Services Representative | CFA Institute | 560 Ray C. Hunt Drive | PO Box 3668 | Charlottesville, VA | 22903-0668 | www.cfainstitute.org The following service request has been assigned to you: Service Request Number: 1-441312543 Date Opened : 6/6/2010 01:44:13 PM Severity : Priority : 3-Medium Product : Abstract : LON Description : High frequency noise distraction: London Level III exam- I wanted to alert you to the fact that for a period of about 20 minutes shortly after the start of the morning session of the LIII exam in London there was a high-frequency feedback noise from the PA system. Inexplicably this noise was allowed to persist, which undoubtedly affected the performance of candidates taking the exam. It wasn’t loud in the way that the airplanes landing at the airport next door are, for which I was prepared but it was very piercing, and very annoying. I had come prepared for ‘regular’ unexpected noise with ear plugs. However these were useless given the high-frequency nature of the sound. Personally it hampered my concentration enormously, and I think some sort of allowance should be made for this for all London level III candidates. Everyone agreed that the time pressures were very significant for the morning paper. I can’t help but feel a little cheated that this 20 minute portion of my allotted time was compromised. Because of the extra time I spent on the first question due to an inability to concentrate given the noise, I had no time to check any of my answers at the end. When you check answers at the end of an exam, there are always things you change, but I didn’t have this opportunity. According to the proctors no candidates left the morning session early, which I offer as supporting evidence to this additional time pressure imposed by the feedback from the PA system. Please can you confirm if: 1. Your grading policy includes an allowance in the cases of extreme noise or other distractions on exam day?; and 2. You recognise this noise did happen in London on exam day, and you plan to make some kind of grading allowance? Regards, APP
thats gay. it completely distracted me as well.
I’m glad someone else brought this up as I feel exactly the same way as you and agree that it effectively took 10-20 minutes of concentration time out of the exam. Especially given that most people would have been on 2 of the longer/harder questions in the paper (IMHO). Whilst I am not surprised you got a “canned” response, it is possible this may just be the “official line” in my view. I seem to remember the announcement in the hall said something like “the examiner has been informed of the noise” - presumably meaning the head proctor in the room has to submit a report to CFAI and will note the noise. Why would they need to do that if it is not in some way taken into account? I think the **thing we can all do** is to submit a query to CFAI like you did noting our concerns re time lost and subsequent extra time pressuring. If we can get as many people on here and that we know who did the exam not on here, *HOPEFULLY* something will happen (although we’ll probably never know if it did or not!).
What do you want them to say? Everyone in London passes? Don’t get me wrong. That had to be a huge distraction but what do you want them to do?
Agreed; everyone had to deal with distractions. Sounds like yours were worse than most, but unfortunately that’s the luck of the draw. They can’t try to simulate what your score would’ve been without the noise.
It wouldnt be a case of saying “everyone passes”, but given the situtation it would be fairer to candidates who were disadvantaged through no fault of their own, in the specific hall that had the problem, to perhaps be given a more lenient assessment/benefit of the doubt if their morning paper would make the difference in a borderline pass/fail situation. Clearly my opinion is likely to be biased given that I was one of the affected, but I do not think that would be unreasonable!
I agree you can’t easily do it. But to ignore it and pretend it didn’t happen is not fair and consistent. If there was only 1 exam hall and you ignore the impact, that would be fair and consistent. So here’s a suggestion. Form a virtual ‘London’ exam candidate group by using the apporpriate combinations of first-language canditates from the global candidate pool. By first language I mean proportion whose 1st language is English/Chinese/Indian etc. Or just compare with say New York candidate group. Compare the median performance of both groups. Make a ratio of the difference and proportionally adjust the scores. Done.
allépourpêcher Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I agree you can’t easily do it. But to ignore it > and pretend it didn’t happen is not fair and > consistent. If there was only 1 exam hall and you > ignore the impact, that would be fair and > consistent. > > So here’s a suggestion. > > Form a virtual ‘London’ exam candidate group by > using the apporpriate combinations of > first-language canditates from the global > candidate pool. By first language I mean > proportion whose 1st language is > English/Chinese/Indian etc. Or just compare with > say New York candidate group. > > Compare the median performance of both groups. > Make a ratio of the difference and proportionally > adjust the scores. > > Done. LOL!!! That almost made me spit out my coffee…
Tough luck, but your expectations are completely unreasonable. The distractions is a constant thing across all the testing centers…in the last few years I’ve heard cold/hot, gun show next door, band/concert next door, lights going off, traffic jam causing candidates to be late, inefficient check in causing large groups of candidates to not be allowed in until 9, moron next to you shaking table, someone crapping in sink because stall was occupied (ok this might just be AF Lore), etc. The point is you have to control your own testing environment. Leaving early enough to account for potential traffic/check in issues, wear appropriate clothing, ear plugs, etc. I am actually shocked that you’re posting this as an LIII candidate; it’s not like this was your first time on the dance floor.
I must say that, despite its emphasis on Ethics and Professionalism, CFAI is actually pretty amateurish when it comes to organizing events. I took 3 tests : one in december, -3 celsius, no heating ; one in june, crazy cold for the period (12 celsius), no heating either. Not to mention a friend of mine took the test in the same building where there was a Tokyo Hotel concert rehearsal. Seriously…
Sponge_Bob_CFA Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I am actually shocked that you’re posting this as an > LIII candidate; it’s not like this was your first > time on the dance floor. Indeed. It’s like showing up at 8am just because it’s written on the exam ticket. I mean, who does it besides 1st time takers?
Chicago, McCormick Center June 2000. We had birds flying in our room and Darth Vader as an announcer. It was bad
The guy next to me smeared pooped on his face to give himself extra long brown side-burns…THAT was distracting, I think I should get some bump as well.
Sponge Bob, I will defend my comments, but I don’t intend to argue with you. This type of noise was off the scale ridiculous. The exam centre is under the flight path for an airport, which is next door. I expected noise. What I did not expect was a noise that I couldn’t block out. You’re insinuating that I failed to prepare in some respect but I did not. You try working with screeching in your ears and then come back and tell me to ‘man up’. Next time I’ll go with industrial ear defenders. How on earth was I supposed to build a ‘high frequency penetrates through anything’ sound into my expectations such that I could somehow more adequately prepare? In my opinion the CFA is deficient in it’s policies, because there is no process which accounts for significant exam day disruptions. Examples of steps they could take are allowing for extra time on the day, or some kind of statistical interrogation and adjustment of exam data. They would have to do more work, and create new rules and maybe the fee would be higher, but the system would be fairer. Sponge_Bob_CFA Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Tough luck, but your expectations are completely > unreasonable. The distractions is a constant > thing across all the testing centers…in the last > few years I’ve heard cold/hot, gun show next door, > band/concert next door, lights going off, traffic > jam causing candidates to be late, inefficient > check in causing large groups of candidates to not > be allowed in until 9, moron next to you shaking > table, someone crapping in sink because stall was > occupied (ok this might just be AF Lore), etc. > > The point is you have to control your own testing > environment. Leaving early enough to account for > potential traffic/check in issues, wear > appropriate clothing, ear plugs, etc. I am > actually shocked that you’re posting this as an > LIII candidate; it’s not like this was your first > time on the dance floor.
My exam center is a very large room. Somehow there was at least one mosquito flying over and biting my ear, neck a couple of times in the AM section. It is still so itchy after 2 days. It was so annoying while I rushed to do the essay. Fairly speaking, the distraction you UK guys encountered was like 1000 times bigger than mine. I can really feel your pain.
You can’t introduce subjectivity in the process like that. Who is to say 20 minutes of HF noise is worse than 6 hours in freezing temps? Who is to say a band next door is worthy of 30 minutes extra on a session, or some statistical review that says they should all get 2.7 extra points. You had tough circumstance, but as you can see so did others…why do you deserve additional consideration?
@AllerPourPecher Re: Forming a London-only exam pool. Trust me, you don’t want this. The reason L3 pass rate is so low (considering 100% of L3 candidates cleared 2) is that non-native English speakers have a serious handicap, especially at level 3. If you’re not at the front of the pack globally, you’re really not going to be at the front of the pack in a VERY English-native city that is also a major global financial hub.
We have Toronto Football game accompanying us every year, they are always with us, usually start in the afternoon but the cheer teams(drums) come early with music and drums. Get used to it already. Understand HF frequency could be so annoying, but not sure what they can adjust if they want to do. Maybe suggest CFAI to change test center next year
dlpicket Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > @AllerPourPecher > > Re: Forming a London-only exam pool. > > Trust me, you don’t want this. The reason L3 pass > rate is so low (considering 100% of L3 candidates > cleared 2) is that non-native English speakers > have a serious handicap, especially at level 3. > > If you’re not at the front of the pack globally, > you’re really not going to be at the front of the > pack in a VERY English-native city that is also a > major global financial hub. well put. couldn’t have said it better myself. this cry out sounds like a “dog ate my homework” defense.
EARPLUGS. End of story. Though I do sympathize with you. I would be pissed if I forgot my earplugs