This petition has been produced in order to provide teaching staff with feedback from students regarding the May 2009 examinations. It has come about because the exams this year have seemed much more demanding than last year's. In spite of having worked as hard or harder than last year, the exams have gone much less well for many. A number of factors have been agreed on by the undersigned which have influenced this perceived extra difficulty.

It is more difficult to display the range of our knowledge within the shorter exam time limit and with fewer concepts examined during the hour.

There was significantly less time this year, in which to study for more exams than last year, between the break for Easter and the start of exams.

The amount of examinable material removed from some courses after their accreditation was changed was less than the cited 10%. There is a perception that the degree has become more difficult, and that it would have been advantageous to have been told this explicitly early in the year.

The undersigned realise that there are significant demands made of the teaching staff in organising courses and examinations. It is hoped that these comments will be received in the spirit with which they are offered, which is one of mutual understanding.