Schol Workshop

1. Schol Workshop STUDENT ECONOMIC REVIEW 2009

2. CONTACTS Jonathan Wyse (Rules/Conventions, Economics of Public Policy) wysej@tcd.ie Jamie Walsh (Essay Paper) breaths@tcd.ie Jean Acheson (Economy of Ireland) jacheson@tcd.ie Marguerita Lane (Intermediate Economics) lanema@tcd.ie Therese (Politics courses) tgrace@tcd.ie Fintan (Maths and Stats, Management 1, Management 2) ryanf3@tcd.ie

3. Some general points on schol It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Be rational and efficient. Don’t quit if one exam goes badly, you owe it to yourself to finish all of the exams. Treat all subjects with equal importance. Consult past papers: http://www.tcd.ie/Local/Exam_Papers/ Understanding, not regurgitation, is the key to success in general! Get plenty of sleep, and so on.

4. Why sit the exams? Incentives Intangible benefits – the prestige, honour etc associated with becoming a scholar. Tangible benefits – Meals free of charge every weekday in the commons. Scholars are entitled to rooms on campus for up to nine months of the year (Oct.-June). If you do not wish to take the rooms, you may then instead accept cash in lieu of rooms. In addition to this, scholars are granted an annual salary.

5. Why sit the exams? Incentives Tuition fees paid (including registration fee and postgraduate fees). However in the case of scholars from non-EU countries, fees will be reduced by an amount corresponding to the appropriate fee level of an Irish student. Scholars are entitled to all of the above benefits for a maximum of 5 years (that is if they continue with their studies as a postgraduate). Furthermore, if you obtain an overall 2.1 grade (SF year) in the schol exams, you will be exempted from the summer examinations i.e. longer summer holidays.

6. Schol exam conventions An overall I (70%+) is necessary in order to become a scholar. You can either get schol or full exemptions or no exemptions at all. You can't get partial exemptions. For full exemptions, an overall II.I (60%+) is required.

7. Schol exam conventions BESS students will take exams in each of the subjects worth 10 ECTS or more. Schol exams are not taken in courses worth 5 ECTS. In addition, there will be an Essay Paper. All papers are equally valuable. Recommendations for scholarship will be based on your best six marks from your papers subject to all your papers being passed.

8. Schol exam conventions How to get a first? Two ways 4 I’s and 2 II.I’s (provided the 7th paper is passed) or higher. In terms of observations, the same convention is applied. 3 I’s and 3 II.I’s provided that the arithmetic average is 70%+ and the 7th paper is passed. Again the same convention applies in terms of observations. Up to the department at the end of the day!

9. Schol exam conventions TSM students- Bottom line: you either get schol, or exemptions in both subjects, or no exemptions at all. Schol: requires arithmetic average of your grades must be over 70%, over both subjects. You can get II.I in one, and I in the other (provided that average is greater than 70%) or two I's. Grade in economics: You sit 3 papers + general paper (4 in total) and best 3 count for schol. Overall first in econ. requires 3 I’s or 2 I’s + II.I subject to the 4th paper being passed.

10. Intermediate Economics

11. Intermediate Economics * More technical subject o Either right or wrong o Useful if this suits you * Know the structure of the exam

12. Microeconomics * Plenty of O'Toole past papers online * Build up basic knowledge of theory from class * Focus on tutorial questions * Likes to set tough questions but this is good!

13. Macroeconomics * Micro foundations, e.g. how consumers max. utility and firms max. profits lead to macro equilibrium * Importance of Keynesian assumptions, particularly in SR * Material covered in previous years * More focus on micro this year * Contact Dr Batista for more info

14. Economy of Ireland

15. Essentials - 2 sections in exam. 4 questions - at least one from each section e.g. 1 Dr. Newman and 3 Prof. O'Hagan. - 1,200 word limit - practice to see what your own 45 minute word-count is. Use voluntary essay scheme early on in term.

16. Reading - Reading: 1) the book 2) newpapers 3) websites e.g. www.finance.gov.ie, www.nesc.ie, www.esri.ie etc. (The policy-making bodies in the state) - time management - decide now what topics you’re doing - consider which lectures/tutorials to attend based on this - student-friendly lecturers!

17. Economics of Public Policy

18. Economics of Public Policy:Overview If you obtain a first at Christmas, keep this essay and regurgitate it. Simple subject if you know what you're doing. Refer to his favourite authors, and cite their theories. No need to go overboard though. Use his favourite facts and figures. Give him exactly what he said in class – Nothing more. Don't bother attempting as Essay Paper.

19. Economics of Public Policy:Exam topics Identify the topics that you are likely to specialise in, and focus on them. Prepare 5 questions, if you want to be certain. He might even read out the questions to you. Past exam papers very good guide. Structure: 8 exam questions given, answer four (45 mins each – 1,200 words)

20. Economics of Public Policy:How/What to study? Read his papers maybe, if you like. Throw in some humour. Extract points supporting his arguments – and again use the “Facts and Figures” Write essays well in advance, and memorise. Write clearly! No need to concentrate on this class once your topics have been covered.

21. General BESS Paper

22. What is it? o Usually the last exam o Three hours - answer one question. o View this paper as a gift – allows you to “drop” your weakest subject. o Should definitely be targeted as one of your 4 required firsts.

23. Who does it? o BESS – Answer any question. Counts as one of your 7 subjects (Of which the top 6 are counted). o TSM – Answer any economics question. Counts as one of your 4 economics subjects (Of which the top 3 are counted). o BSL – Can’t attempt the language questions.

24. Tips o Ask lectures for the question in + don’t attempt unseen questions. + Some might seem predictable but can change o Ask lecturer for advice on how to approach the question – run your ideas past them for a reaction. o Prepare essay before hand and then just write it out in the exam.

25. Economy of Ireland o Economy of Ireland – same question every year – Discuss any topic on the Irish economy touching on at least three sections of the course. o Vast majority of people attempt this question – as a result possibly more difficult to get a first. o Relatively “easy” to get a II.1

26. Resources * Some good resources o www.economist.com o www.econlib.org o http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/ o www.becker-posner-blog.com/ o Economist style guide

27. Advice o Some people suggest to avoid Economy of Ireland and be different – My advice: play to your strengths o Students who got I’s last year did – Economy of Ireland, Law and Microeconomics. o Essay paper is not a priority in January – worry about it a lot closer to the exams.

28. Management 1

29. Management 1 3 hour exam divided equally between Organisational Behaviour and Marketing

30. Organisational Behaviour Organisational Behaviour: Martin Fellenz 4 Questions, answer 2 Exam never straightforward, always requires students to think outside the box and link in various areas of the course, never straight theory questions Refer to past papers for examples Need to know basics ie. Perception, learning + conditioning, motivation theories, rewards, goal setting, leadership, decision making, groups and group dynamics and performance etc.

31. Organisational Behaviour Most important thing is how to connect the topics up into a coherent answer, analysis from manager’s perspective No ‘right’ answer, key point – IT DEPENDS Use examples and be able apply your knowledge to practical and real world examples to back up what you write No real need for outside reading although they might help back up theories etc. and do look good He will be giving a class to specifically go over the Schols stuff and what he expects etc. in week 6 of Hilary term

32. Marketing 4 Questions must answer 2 Look at course outline and practice writing essays that combine 2 to 3 of the 8 modules To get a I – MUST combine lecture discussions, text book readings, and journal articles in your answer Text book only really good for definitions, need to know branding, 7 P’s, STP etc. With readings - show theory and practical understanding. USE the real world examples given in class, when in doubt use Ryanair!

33. Marketing Assigned readings are not enough – bringing in new readings will show interest and further understanding. Useful websites: SSRN, Harvard Business, MIT, Journal of Marketing etc. Heavy emphasis on ICT’s try to connect everything to this – they are is a primary research area for Brady Be able to answer ‘what is marketing?’ and apply this aspect to other modules

34. Management 2:Accounting

35. Management 2: Pat McCabe Accounting Basic Info 3 questions - answer all. Crucial to correspond % of time spent on a question to the % of marks available. First is possible with good preparation and importantly good understanding Attend Pats seminars leading up to schols as they are extremely useful for study preparation and to know what he looks for in analysis of accounts

36. Question 1:Essay Question (30%)‏ To be confirmed by Pat. Prepare essay before hand and just write it out in the exam !!! Also usually a handy topic to use for BESS essay paper so ask what he intends on setting.

37. Question 2:Calculation Question (25%)‏ Normally a P+L & Balance Sheet – No Cash Flow for the last 3 years but don’t ignore, still need to know the CF for the ratio analysis! Complex adjustments. Use past papers to practise Don’t worry if it doesn’t balance – don’t waste time. Expect a short general question for 5 marks. Work hard on this now, potentially an easy 25%.

38. Question 3:Ratio Analysis (45%)‏ Full accounts of a plc provided – analyse and discuss using ratios. A lot of information to take in – 5 pages. Become comfortable with the layout and structure before doing exam Don’t just calculate the ratio’s - look beyond the ratio – e.g. why did the Gross Profit margin increase? Comment on any big changes or anomalies in the accounts over the years Chance to display wider knowledge of business and financial environment, bring in economic variables – e.g. impact of interest rates on financing.

39. Maths and Statistics

40. Maths and Stats All questions must be attempted on bothsections. On the Statistics side: Format the same as previous years (5-6 questions)‏ More emphasis on newer (not JF) material though you still need to know it!! There will be a few conceptual/theory questions Best preparation: practice, practice, practice and know theory!

41. Statistics New lecturer, Michael Wycherley Probably uneven distribution of marks, last year 60/40 split - 60% of the total going to the Stats section (reflecting 10 weeks work) and 40% going to the Maths section (reflecting 6 weeks work) Last year’s paper was very long and covered all the bases, focus on more recent materials covered in lectures, linear regression, ANOVA, hypothesis testing and construction of confidence intervals for estimators. Obviously good knowledge of JF materials essential Should be no surprises, just do homeworks and practice as many questions as you can.

42. Maths Maths: Dudley Cooke Topics will include optimization of multi-variate functions, Matrices, constrained optimization, analysis of convexity and concavity, frequently have to apply to micro and macro economic examples Again practise makes perfect, homeworks, past papers etc. Note: Last year’s paper VERY DIFFICULT!!!

43. Politics

44. History of Political Thought

45. International Relations and Comparative Political Institutions These subjects have never been schol exams before so unfortunately there is no precedent. 1 Contact your lecturer 2 Be sure of structure of the exam 3 Consult with past summer exam papers as a guide

46. Further Information More information available from the Political Science Undergraduate Handbook, available through the Political Science Dept. website or at http://www.tcd.ie/Political_Science/docs/undergraduatehandbook.pdf Pay particular attention to the following sections: Guidelines on writing essays Advice on essay writing Examinations Marking Scheme

47. The Sociological Imagination

48. Dr. Tarr says “This year's examination has not been set but I expect it will follow a similar format; that is, four choices of questions from each half of the course with students writing one from each half and one more which they can choose from either half. “Questions may come from any topic covered in Anthropology of Gender; Body in Society is only examined for the weeks that have been covered up to the term break due to the timing of the examination.”

49. “I recommend students use last year's questions from Schol and the final examination as preparation, as the real questions are likely to be similar. We do offer seminars for students preparing to take the Schol exams in the weeks leading up to it (although last year, no students attended these for Sociological Imagination).”

50. “To do well in Schol it's particularly important to demonstrate an ability to think critically and originally, not just demonstrate a grasp of the readings and lecture material. To this end bringing in contemporary examples can sometimes be useful, although this should not be the primary focus of the essay.”