Dear Cambridge History 1 examination markers
Please be informed that the paper that you have set, in which I sat for on the 16th of May, 2007, was very difficult. I would like to voice my concern on the level of difficulty of the subject in general.
A question that has been raised many times is why History students have to write four essays (minimum two pages each) within three hours. Mathematically, that would give us only forty-five minutes per essay. It has been scientifically proven that the human attention span does not go beyond two hours. While I was sitting in the examination hall during the second hour, I could not stop myself from fidgeting around.
Not only am I cursed with a short attention span, I am also cursed with an incurable disease called 'The Wandering Eyes'. I assume that you are quiet familiar with this particular shortcoming which is very common among students. It is when my 'wandering eyes' suddenly became active in the midst of the examination that I noticed I was not alone.
I would say perhaps around 25% of the students within my view had given up by the second hour. Another 50% were suffering a lapse of the 'wandering eyes' as I was. The remaining 25%, blessed with a much longer attention span, and additionally with Pentium 8 memory, were writing feverishly as I was during the first hour.
I hope that with this letter, you are aware of why many students, on average, only receive a grade D for History examinations. Let me suggest a few modifications you could apply in order to better the History examination system.
Obviously, the timing could be better. Might I suggest a fifteen minute break in between every hour, perhaps as a toilet recess. It can be assumed that half of the students fidgeting about are actually holding it in.
Pictures could also be added into the question sheets. A map of the region in question would be an excellent idea! Let's also include pictures of the prominent personalities, for examples Napoleon, Cavour, Tsar Nicholas II and even Hitler. The maps and portraits would not give away any answers, therefore you should not worry. Their purpose would be to keep the students focused on the paper, rather than on the person sitting in front of them shaking their legs.
My name is Josephine Hong Chiew Yee from Maktab DPM Al-Muhtadee Billah (BN105). If you happen to see my answer booklet lying around, would you mind being more lenient with the marking on my answers? It would be so greatly appreciated!
Thank you for your cooperation.
P.S. The topics in the syllabus are generally very interesting. Keep up the good work on that!
Sincerely,
JOSEPHINE HONG CHIEW YEE
(History Student from Brunei)
