Assessment tips for IWFM Qualifications

1. Your tutor - Chris Garbett
>Chris is a retired
Lecturer. He was the
Director of the Centre
for Facilities
Management at Leeds
Beckett University
>At the University he
looked after a range of
different distance
learning courses in FM

2. ASSESSMENT
The Scary Part of any course

3. It may have been a while since you were last
in education

4. And that might have coloured your
expectation of assessment

5. What If…
> I make a fool of myself
> Then my tutor will know
> And my boss will know
> Then they know that I’ve been bluffing all along
> And I’ll lose my job
> We won’t be able to keep up the mortgage
> And .
> And ..
> And …

6. That’s NOT going to happen
> We’re here to help you
> We’ve got some tips to help you with assessments

7. Tip 1 READ the Question
> It sounds obvious
> People do get flustered

8. Example Question Part 1
> Unit 3.1 Says:
a. Describe the core business activities of an organisation to
which you provide facilities services (either as an in-house
service provider or as an outsourced one). Explain the
relationship between facilities management and the core
business activities described.
> Pick out the operative words
Describe the core business activities of an organisation to which
you provide facilities services (either as an in-house service
provider or as an outsourced one). Explain the relationship
between facilities management and the core business activities
described.

9. Example Question part 2
> Describe the core business activities of an organisation to
which you provide facilities services (either as an in-house
service provider or as an outsourced one). Explain the
relationship between facilities management and the core
business activities described.
> Describe what?
> the core business activities of an organisation
> Explain what?
> relationship between FM and the core business activities

10. Example Question Part 3
> It’s as simple as that
> It DOESN’T mean
Write down everything you know about FM

11. The active words change (get harder) at
different levels
Level
> Level 2
> Level 3
> Level 4
> Level 5
> Level 6
Example of Active words
> Identify, Describe, Explain
> Describe, Explain
> Explain, Compare and
Contrast, Distinguish between.
> Review, Analyse
> Evaluate, Critically review

12. Tip 2 We are not trying to trick you
> If that’s what the question asks
> That’s what we want
> Don’t try to overthink it
> It’s not “what do they really want?”
> If it’s as simple as it looks, then it’s as simple as it looks

13. The question is not trying to trick you
>“That’s what they want
you to think”
>Don’t be that person!

14. Tip 3 Using the workplace
> Yes, sometimes you can use examples from work
> Sometimes, it may be broader than JUST your workplace.
> e.g. 4.01
> 1.2 Describe the range and diversity of contexts in which
facilities management services are provided (including public,
private and not-for-profit sectors, and to in-house, outsourced
(TFM and partial outsourcing) models).
> Has to be broader than just your own workplace.

15. Tip 4 Writing
> Not writing a thesis, or a PhD.
> Write normally
> Short sentences
> Read back, read aloud
> Use grammar and spelling checker

16. Writing 2
> Look things up – research
>DO NOT copy and paste
> Referencing - remember to reference any works you have
used. There is a separate resource.
> Plagiarism – copying. This is cheating and will be found out.

17. Tip 5 Who can help you?
> Help available
>
> Tutor
> Assessor (Marker)
> IWFM Academy

18. Tutor (Chris)
• Will send you
additional learning
material and
resources.
• Can explain things
• Can help with
presentation
• Cannot “pre-mark”
work but Will check
that you “are on the
right lines”
• Email me a draft of
your submission for
comment.
• That is not one of
your submissions.
•

19. Assessor (Marker)
>Marks the submission
>Gives feedback
>Help you to improve

20. Academy IWFM
>The Admin/Exec
>Technical support
>Advise you on admin
matters, e.g. extensions
etc.
>Academy@IWFM.org.uk

21. Recap
> Tip 1 READ the QUESTION
> Tip 2 We are NOT TRYING TO TRICK YOU
> Tip 3 Use YOUR WORKPLACE and OTHER EXAMPLES
> Tip 4 Watch your WRITING STYLE and REFERENCES
> Tip 5 There are PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP YOU

22. Good luck
Not This This