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  • 1.  Rationale behind hiding the weights?

    Posted 02-22-2020 02:26 AM
    Hi guys,

    Why is it that IMA does not show the weightage of each MCQ/essay question in exam? What is the rationale behind hiding it?

    As prudent exam takers, if weights are displayed, we could use the limited time to crack the heavyweights first and ensure a certain degree of confirmation regarding our results. The non showcasing of weights is completely putting us in the dark.

    Also, is there a way in which we can guess the weights? The size of the question is not a tangible indicator, because sometimes, the question given after large paragraphs of data might be something basic.






  • 2.  RE: Rationale behind hiding the weights?

    Posted 02-23-2020 04:21 PM
    Hello Amith,

    Since long time I had the same question, especially when I read IMA recommendation for exam taking strategy which clearly mentioned that each MSQ has the same score !!! regardless of its difficulty.
    How it comes that one line easy question has equal score with computational long paragraphed question ??? compared by time consumption ???

    I have asked this question to a board member during recently held local seminar, he said that IMA intended to do that (Hiding the weight/score) in order to control the annual passing rate, which adds more mystery to this hidden subject.

    Anyhow, we should comply with IMA rules and get 360 points score in order to pass. I think that answering (70) MSQs correctly plus (1) full essay will give us that minimum score.

    Kind regards

    ------------------------------
    Samer Ahmad, FMVA, SCA
    Kuwait
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  • 3.  RE: Rationale behind hiding the weights?

    Posted 02-23-2020 04:37 PM
    Dear Samer,

    Thank you for the response and appreciate your galant curiosity w.r.t raising the matter in an open seminar.

    I personally believe it is high time this opaqueness is done away with by IMA. If pass% is the the reason, then the same can be affixed to a stipulated percentile like how CFA institute does. I sincerely hope IMA addresses this anomaly and brings more clarity into the grading process.