To think this is a little unfair

[MadameBee]

So have an OU interview for apprenticeship.

45 minute written assessment/exercise which will have to be done with camera on in teams.

Women organising accidentally sent all the candidates the questions last week (choice is 6/7) , said she would get different questions. We were asked to delete the questions.

Today says questions will stay the same but we will be told which one we have to do.

AIBU to think this is unfair and puts us at a disadvantage of securing a place (which are limited) due to her mistake?

If you’ve prepared you should be able to handle any question but you’ve seen the question (they are staying the same?) so you’re at an advantage.

I deleted the email without reading as requested.

If the questions are the same as the ones you've already seen are you not at an advantage rather than a disadvantage?

It may be in your deleted folder

@MadameBee

I deleted the email without reading as requested.

Okay well surely if you were never supposed to have seen the questions in the first place you're at no more of a disadvantage should she have never sent you them in the first place?

Why does it put you at a disadvantage?
You're all in the same boat.

My deleted folder deletes everything when I close outlook.

Because there were 6 or 7 questions to choose from and we all have different backgrounds and disciplines and some will be more familiar with certain subjects than others.

X-post

Then email back, explain you deleted it and could she resend it.

Because some won’t have deleted the questions will they?

The whole thing stinks a bit and isn’t the proper process.

I think op means that they should have had a choice of questions but now this woman is choosing it.

Yes op I agree with you. Email back and explain. It’s highly likely some of your peers have seen the questions so are at an advantage. The whole exam has been fucked up.

can you undelete the email

Well she asked us to delete.

Then said today she would be choosing the question anyway.

She has fucked it up so the fairest thing would be to get new questions from the OU.

I'm studying with the OU, you will get used to the cockups, mismanagement and unfair handling from tutors who dont know their arse from their elbow

@BuffyTheBuffetSlayer

After this I might not be 😭🤣

You can either email the woman and if you get no luck contact student support and explain. Student support are brilliant.

I am not actually on the course yet and this lady has a say in it so I am not overly keen to kick up a huge stink.

I agree with you @MadameBee
Challenge it, it could be part of the assessment. You have nothing to lose either way

Then I recommend emailing the woman organiser, explain you deleted the questions immediately as directed and after the new update that the questions will be chosen for you, you are now concerned you will end up with a question that is not your speciality area therefore concerned it will impact you negatively and prevent you securing a place.

My experience of the OU so far (going into my 4th year) are they can be very fair and accommodating, especially when the error is down to them. I've seen some almighty rules bent to ensure students are not left at a disadvantage so always worth contacting them. Organiser first, then student support as a back up.

That was a very very very long sentence!! I dont write like that in assessments

You might be able to recover the email if you go on Outlook online. There's an option to recover recently deleted items within the trash folder.

But, as others have said, email the tutor. I studied with the OU and the tutors were always really trying to support students and keep them on track with their courses. I'm sure if you explain that you followed the instructions given but that has now put you at a disadvantage, they'll make it right one way or another.

Ooh. The OU does apprenticeships?

I think it could be very positive to ask. You're showing you deleted as asked, and are keen enough to follow up.

Surely if everyone got the same e mail your all in the same boat.

Sorry to hijack OP, but that's interesting @BuffyTheBuffetSlayer. I started an OU course in Feb and have been disappointed at how poor the tutor, tutorials etc have been. I'd always heard that the OU had a great reputation, but I've not been impressed so far.