Anyone marking exams?

[FaFoutis]

I'm marking for an exam board for the first time.
It all seems bloody impossible, the number of scripts is huge and I can't seem to work out how to manage it without sitting in front of the computer 24 hours a day.

Any advice would be incredibly welcome.

[JustABigBearAlan]

I'm afraid spending every spare minute doing it is the only way!

But think about what you'll spend the extra money on to cheer yourself up!

[FaFoutis]

Oh no. I hoped there was a special technique or mindset that might help.
I'm doing it to pay for a holiday to centre parcs - not my idea of fun!

[Mrskeats]

What board and subject?
I've done A level English for AQA for years
Did GCSE coursework this year

[GiraffesAndButterflies]

This thread had a couple of tips:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2662682-To-pull-out-of-exam-marking

The beginning is the hardest bit. The more familiar you get with the systems and the mark scheme, the better it gets.

[FaFoutis]

CIE A level history.
Does it get easier the more you do it?

[FaFoutis]

Thank you!

[Mrskeats]

Is it all online?
I would divide the scripts into piles of how many you need to do each day to the deadline (which is always flexible in my experience)
Then just keep chipping away at it

[FellOutOfBed2wice]

Not me but my DH. He tackles it by living it for two weeks. Literally every minute he's not at work, eating or sleeping he marks (and drinks Red Bull). It makes him a bit batty but he got his allocation done quickly and efficiently. He's a bit single minded in that way though, and marks for a subject where there are black and white answers... I don't think I could do it!

[FaFoutis]

Yes all online.
I thought about the dividing up method but I was told by someone working for another board that they can stop the marking at any point because of 'seeded' scripts (ones that have already been marked by them, so your marks have to be checked against this). So I feel like I can't count on planning the work. This might not be true for my board of course - anyone know?

I have a lot of teaching and other marking going on at the same time too, so I can't set aside big chunks of time. I must be mad.
I have done 4 today, the sum of £12!

[jacksoncannery]

Yes also a first timer here, all online for A level. Support been good so far and confident in ability to mark the content, but nervous about the sheer scale of my allocation. Afraid I won't name board, level or subject here as someone said on the other thread linked - the first rule of fight club... Can also see this being perfect misquoted DM fodder - "mummy examiners admit to being incompetant" "examiners have no clue how to mark" type scandal

[jacksoncannery]

Oops I did say the level. Hope my marking is better than my discretion.

[FaFoutis]

Good point jackson. I'm certainly not incompetent, I mark university exams every year (that is to you DM, and I have a PhD in my subject so piss off).
It is just a new system and range of expectations that I'm getting used to. Feeling a bit better after reading the other thread anyway.
Good luck with yours jacks.