Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:42 pm Posts: 4091 Location: the Netherlands
Quote:
my advise would be just to practice, the more practice you have the quicker you will be able to identify the stones
Vital when it comes to stone ID under time pressure, 8 minutes per stone isn't a lot.
The good thing is: after you've done it once, you can then take as long as you want... Actually, you should take as long as you need normally, just to assure a proper ID. The exam conditions will never be repeated. Ever....
but just that one day.... yes, then it does matter...
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:09 am Posts: 57 Location: Sweden
Today it's over in my part of the world. At least for now ... Theory papers yesterday went much better than I thought. Some part of me (the rebellious part ...) hopes for a pass while the cautious one tries to tell me not to have such high hopes ... Haha! I had been dreading this resit and in self denial I hardly studied at all and didn't like to think too much about the upcoming exam.
Today the lack of studying and practising took its toll (add to that lack of sleep), practical exam was a disaster. I know I have to practise on observations, of crystals in particular.
If it's any consolation... I had me some bad times this week.
I thought I was doing fine on the first theory paper when I suddenly realized answering the first two questions had taken about two of the three available hours. Oops... Tried writing down the key points for the remaining three questions, but it probably won't be enough for a pass. Panic never helps if you need to remember what you learned.
Theory paper two in the afternoon went a lot better, I could write down all I wanted and add sketches. I think I read somewhere that both theory papers are graded separately and both need a pass grade, so probably doing better on the second paper will not be enough to get acquitted for the theory overall.
Practical exam, well... I made too many awfully stupid mistakes. While I'm waiting for my hair to grow back, I'm not giving any further comments...
Overall, I'm feeling the exams were absolutely fair though. The people at Gem-A do exactly what they promise: test for thorough practical experience in this field. The diploma exams are never 'easy' but that's exactly what it says on the book...
Sorry I wasn't around to help in the revision week leading up to the exams. I've been sick for what seems like forever with glandular fever and maybe a spot of flu thrown in for good measure. Don't write it all off yet though the examiners will decide on pass or fail.
Thanks for the copies of the exam Bart. Is this the last year they will run the old exams?
Yes, when I enrolled in the course beginning 2010 I received a letter stating that the last exams in the 'old course format' would be June 2011. The letter continues: 'after this period, you may have to provide coursework'. So it's not like you absolutely cannot continue after that time, only you'll enroll automatically into the new system it seems. I do not expect that will be for free though. Probably there will be some cost involved, if only in getting the new notes...
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:42 pm Posts: 2846 Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
I just want to say thanks to everyone here who has nurtured my love of gemmology and gemstones throughout the years. Today, I received notice that I've won the Deeks Diamond Prize for the Diamond Diploma exam results for 2011.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:42 pm Posts: 2846 Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Jason... I know I got a very high grade in January, but the news took me by surprise today. It didn't occur to me that they would have to take into account June exams for some reason and I opened the envelope today thinking it was the application forms for the Grad ceremony.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:42 pm Posts: 2846 Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Mehoose, hahaha, that's exactly me right now.
Barbra, you know that if it hadn't been for you all (you, Annie, Alain et al) way back when, gemmology of any sort would have probably remained nothing but a subject of interest without going any farther than that. So you guys, along with GO, get a big thanks too.
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