UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
THE MATRICULATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
ADVANCED LEVEL
GRAPHICAL COMMUNICATION
May 2008
EXAMINERS’ REPORT
MATRICULATION AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS BOARD
AM EXAMINERS’ REPORT MAY 2008
AM Graphical Communication
May 2008 Session
Examiners’ Report
Part 1: Statistical Information
GRADE
Number
% of Total
A
B
2
8.00
C
2
8.00
D
5
20.00
E
2
8.00
F
1
4.00
Abs
13
52.00
0
0.00
Total
25
100
Part 2: Comments regarding performance
2.1 Comments regarding Paper 1
This paper is common to Engineering Drawing and Graphical Communication. There were 25
candidates sitting for this examination; another 4 candidates sat for AM Engineering Drawing.
Candidates sitting for this paper had to attempt five questions out of the given eight questions.
Q1. 20 marks
VTH
Oblique Octagonal Pyramid
This question was attempted by 28 candidates. 14 of these candidates presented a relatively
good solution and obtained good marks. However, from the remaining 12 candidates some
lacked the knowledge of how to erect the required ‘Inclined Plane’ while others could not project
their drawing from the ‘Inclined Plane’ to the ‘Plan’ and in turn to the ‘Front Elevation’.
Considering that this topic is of unique importance in ‘Technological Drawings’, candidates
should prepare themselves better.
Q2. 20 marks
Cylindrical Cam
Here again, one should note that although ‘Cams’ is an uncomplicated, straight forward solution
- all that is needed by the candidate is to learn the steps required - the result obtained is not
encouraging. There were no full marks. Out of the 12 candidates who attempted this question
only 4 obtained a pass mark. Candidates simply lacked the knowledge of the ‘Cylindrical Cam’,
direction of rotation, transferring points from the initial ‘Displacement Curve’ to the cylindrical
cam. There were also candidates who obtained the ‘Displacement Curve’ wrong !
Q3. 20 marks
Gear Teeth in mesh
Out of the 10 candidates who attempted this question, five presented a drawing which shows
knowledge of the topic in question. The other candidates obtained ones and even zeros for their
effort! From such a performance one can only conclude that the candidates were by no means
prepared for this topic.
Q4. 20 marks
Isometric
Die Casting
Nine candidates attempted this question!! The result was by no means encouraging. Only two
candidates obtained a high mark. The rest failed badly obtaining ones and threes for their work.
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AM EXAMINERS’ REPORT MAY 2008
Q5. 20 marks
Auxiliary Views - Shortest Distance
Considering that the topic ‘Auxiliary Views’ plays a major part in Geometric Drawing, it is
interesting to note that out of the 25 candidates that attempted this question 16 candidates
obtained a high pass mark. The remaining candidates obtained such marks as twos and threes !
These candidates presented drawings which showed that they had absolutely no idea as to the
steps required to arrive to a correct solution.
Q6. 20 marks
Interpenetration
Cone with Prism
22 candidates attempted this question. Five candidates presented an exceptional good solution
(full marks) while another 5 candidates obtained a reasonable pass mark. The remaining
candidates presented extremely poor drawings from which one cannot but note that the
candidates were by no means prepared. They even failed to obtain a good auxiliary view !
Q7. 20 marks
Development
Out of the 19 candidates who opted for this question, there were nine candidates who obtained
full marks and another two candidates who obtained a pass mark. The remaining candidates
obtained twos and threes for their drawings. Candidates were not able to obtain the correct
‘True Lengths” while others were unable to use these ‘True Lengths’ so as to obtain the required
‘development’. The alarming reality is that some candidates did not even know that ‘True
Lengths’ were required for this solution !!
Q8. 20 marks
Graphic Statics
Irregular Loaded Beam
Only 7 candidates attempted this question. There were only two pass marks. The remaining
candidates presented drawings which showed lack of knowledge in the ability of obtaining the
actual force and its point of action within the load resting on the beam. Again drawings showed
lack of knowledge of ‘Vector Diagrams’.
2.2 Comments regarding Paper 2
For this paper candidates had to attempt any four questions from the given five.
Q1. 25 marks. Computer Graphics ‘A Toy Shop’
22 candidates attempted this question. Only three candidates failed to achieve a pass mark in
this question. The rendering quality is still not one expects at this level.
Q2. 25 marks. Layout ‘Craft Knives’
14 candidates attempted this question. Only four presentations were satisfactorily answered. It
is to be noted that nearly all the candidates have not as yet reached the level required in the
question.
Q3. 25 marks. Graphical Representation ‘Digital Cameras’
Attempted by twenty two candidates. Five candidates presented a layout which showed good
preparation in this question.
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AM EXAMINERS’ REPORT MAY 2008
Q4. 25 marks. Ideogram - ‘Sports Festival’
18 candidates attempted this question. 12 candidates presented a solution which showed that
they have reached the required level in this questions. On the other hand the rest were weak in
their ‘Graphical Analysis’ and in their ‘Final realisation’
Q5. 25 marks. Perspective Illustration - ‘A Spare Bedroom’
Attempted by twelve candidates. Eight of these presented work which showed that they were
well prepared for this type of question hence obtaining a pass mark. However all candidates
were lacking in their ability to enhance their selected materials/textures and colours.
Chairperson
Board of Examiners
July 2008
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