AQA successful applicants??

Pink_elephants_n_lemonade

First part of induction over (lasted 5 mins) Just got to get through answering the 30 questions now :eek: :eek: :eek:

wishicouldaffordit

Pink_elephants_n_lemonade wrote: »

First part of induction over (lasted 5 mins) Just got to get through answering the 30 questions now :eek: :eek: :eek:

how are you getting on with your 30 questions - i am nearly done i think, takes time but is good.

Pink_elephants_n_lemonade

wishicouldaffordit wrote: »

how are you getting on with your 30 questions - i am nearly done i think, takes time but is good.

I haven't started yet. I'm going to do one final read through of the notes, then make a start

How are you getting on? Are you answering all yours in one go? Have you answered any hard questions yet? :eek:

thinkpositive

Well folks, I have sent off the email asking for the application form. I have stuck a photo of the fabulous Stephen Fry in front of my desk, lined up the necessary provisions ie a packet of chocolate digestives and a big bar of Galaxy chocolate. So I am ready to do battle, if and when the application form arrives!

Can anyone help with the following points:

1. How do AQA like money to be stated -eg if it was 20 pence is it OK to put 20p or 4 pound to be £4 or do they need £4.00.
2. I know that in Word there is a Spelling and Grammar checker. I am getting to grips with Excel, I see there is a Spelling checker but don't see a Grammar one...can anyone tell me where it is hiding, the naughty little fellow!
3. With lists - is it correct that where the list includes items which run to a few words you should use a colon and then put semi-colons between the items or if it is a list of single worded items then a semi-colon and then commas between the items? I have been reading "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" as my bedtime book (I know, how sad!) and think I have ended up more confused than I was before I started reading it!!
4 Finally any tips on how best to answer Direction Questions?

If anyone can reply on these I'd be most grateful.:D

thinkpositive

Can I add to my list of questions:-
5. Can anyone give me a clear, easy to understand explanation of where you use a semi-colon and where you use a colon.

Thanks to anyone who can be bothered to give any reply to these questions.

PS...oh dear I've already started on the Galaxy chocolate and don't even have the stress of a test to justify it!!

frivolous_fay

thinkpositive wrote: »

1. How do AQA like money to be stated -eg if it was 20 pence is it OK to put 20p or 4 pound to be £4 or do they need £4.00.

Don't worry about rules you haven't been told about. But bear in mind you have a character limit, and you're meant to give value for money.

thinkpositive wrote: »

2. I know that in Word there is a Spelling and Grammar checker. I am getting to grips with Excel, I see there is a Spelling checker but don't see a Grammar one...can anyone tell me where it is hiding, the naughty little fellow!

I'm not sure where it's hiding, but personally I'd let it carry on... the grammer checker is hopeless.

thinkpositive wrote: »

3. With lists - is it correct that where the list includes items which run to a few words you should use a colon and then put semi-colons between the items or if it is a list of single worded items then a semi-colon and then commas between the items? I have been reading "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" as my bedtime book (I know, how sad!) and think I have ended up more confused than I was before I started reading it!!

It's a great book I'm a stickler at heart! To be honest, I wouldn't worry too much - remember that you'll have to fit these lists into 153 characters, so it's not like they're going to get massively wordy. (Also, I'm a little hazy about the rules myself...)

thinkpositive wrote: »

4 Finally any tips on how best to answer Direction Questions?

Imagine it's you needing the directions - what would you need to know?

thinkpositive wrote: »

5. Can anyone give me a clear, easy to understand explanation of where you use a semi-colon and where you use a colon.

I can't promise to be clear or easy, but here's how I see it...

A colon comes right before a list or announcement.

A semicolon is a way to break up a sentence... more than a comma, but less final than a full stop. If the first part of your sentence gives some information, use a semi colon if the second part goes on to expand on this informaiton. For example:

'I hate politicians; they never give you a straight answer.'

If you put a comma in that sentence, it would set my teeth on edge, personally!

I used to get told off at school - for using too many of these - which I'd stick in sentences instead of commas - not really understanding how to use them - then I discovered the semi colon; it changed my life!

thinkpositive

Frivolous Fay... you should be Fabulous Fay!

Thank you kindly for that reply which was really helpful. I'm kind of warming to ye olde semi-colon. I have never used it before but it is quite a helpful little soul.

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi thanks for this helpful thread.

I have received my application form but it is asking for two previous employers for references.

I have been semi-retired for years and the people I used to work for have all changed. I've been doing a bit of casual work for a small company so I can put them down but am stumped for a second reference.

I can't be the only one, what have other people done?

Thanks

thinkpositive

Hi zzzLazyDaisy

Best of luck with your test. I am in the same boat as I worked for a small firm. I just put down two of the bosses in my firm as referees and explained that was the last place that I worked.

Hope this helps.

NotAnExpert_3

zzzLazyDaisy, I don't think you should worry too much about all that - only because they don't check (or, rather, haven't checked mine). That doesn't mean lie, but just use someone, anyone, for a reference - ie, don't let that be the reason you don't apply.

Fay, I agree with you with regard to overusing this "-" (as you can see in the paragraph above, although there it is more or less acceptable, I think).
I'd say a semi-colon is used to 'qualify' a point (as Fay did up there: "I hate politicians; they never give you a straight answer."), ie, clarify or give an example.

My problem is that the dash ("-") seems to nearly always be suitable (in my mind) where a semi-colon would be preferable. "I love Fridays; they signal the end of a long week". But... "I love Fridays - they signal the end of a long week" also works, doesn't it?

I think I'm actually trying to teach myself here. Sorry, everyone!