Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations

See Appendix 2.

Identification of Candidates

See Section 16 – Identification of Candidates.

General:

The Oral Assessment is the final section of the Theory Part of the Diploma Examination. It is usually undertaken after the Practical Part has been completed. However, it should be noted that candidates who are exempt the Theory, will not undertake the Oral Assessment, but will undertake the Practical Part only. The conduct of the Oral Assessment is the responsibility of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. Candidates for the Theory Part of the examination will undertake an oral assessment of not less than 30 minutes in total. The Oral Test is assessed by two Farriery Examiners and a Veterinary Examiner.

Responsibility of the College Examination Facilitator

The Facilitator will organise a rota system so that each candidate visits each Examiner in turn for the allotted time. This is usually a minimum of 10 minutes per candidate per examiner. Candidates who have completed the Oral Assessment are to be kept separate from those yet to undergo the Assessment.

Facilities for the Oral Assessment

Each candidate is assessed by each of the three examiners. The two farrier examiners each require a room with tables, and they will use the WCF morbid specimens. The veterinary examiner will require facilities for a light-box or laptop on which to display the WCF file of radiographs, and will in addition require the provision of and accommodation for a live horse.

A notice stating “Examination in Progress” will be affixed to the door of all examination rooms used for oral examinations. See Appendix 7.

Late Arrival of Candidates

Where a candidate arrives after the appointed time for the start of an oral assessment, he/she will be allowed take part in the oral but he/she will be warned that the Examination Board reserves the right not to accept the mark. In determining whether to accept the mark, the Registrar and/or the Senior Examiner will pay particular attention to the extent to which it can regard the security of the examination as having been preserved.

A candidate who arrives after the scheduled starting time of the assessment may be allowed the full time for the examination, however this will depending upon the individual circumstances as described below.

In cases where a candidate’s lateness has been caused by exceptional circumstances beyond his/her control, such as sudden illness, transport difficulties, and provided that the Senior Examiner is satisfied that there has been no breach of examination security, the oral mark will be accepted. This will include all oral assessment that took place during the normal oral time, plus any in the additional time allowed to compensate for the late arrival.

In all other cases, additional time will NOT be allowed in order to compensate for late arrival.

OUTLINE OF THE ORAL ASSESSMENT

The Oral Test will consist of the candidates attending three different locations where they will be questioned orally by the Senior Examiner, the Farriery Examiner, and the Veterinary Examiner. Each candidate will spend a minimum of ten minutes at each location. The Veterinary Examiner will be in position with a live horse, as well as having a light box or laptop available for displaying radiographs.

Each candidate will be issued with a badge bearing his/her Candidate Identification Number. This will be worn and clearly visible throughout the oral test. Candidates are not permitted to wear nametags or any other form of individual identification during the examination. Nor may candidates wear any badge or logo that could identify his/her Approved Training Farrier.

Candidates will be asked surface and functional anatomy questions on a live horse, and be expected to have some knowledge of, and be able to discuss radiographs of a normal lower limb. Candidates are also expected to be conversant with the skeletal structure of the horse.

Candidates may be asked questions on their written work and general subjects relating to farriery as well as specific questions on the anatomy of the lower limb, for which morbid specimens are used.

Candidates will be asked questions on the portfolio of shoes which they are required to bring to the oral.

Subjects Covered

i) Portfolio of Specimen Shoes

The shoe portfolio is an important part of the diploma examination. The Candidate will produce a portfolio of practical work (of at least six shoes) of his/her own making for inspection at the time of the oral examination. Specimen shoes should include examples of concave, hand fullering, forge welding, and plain stamping. Candidates may be deducted marks if they fail to produce at least one of each specified style of shoe. Candidates should select the shoes presented with care. They will form the basis of the oral examination with the farrier examiner, and candidates will be examined on the use and function of the shoes. It is therefore particularly appropriate for candidates to make shoes in their portfolios that they have seen used during their apprenticeship.

ii) Other topics Covered can include:

• Surface anatomy questions on a live horse
• Functional anatomy questions on a live horse
• Discussion on radiographs of a normal / abnormal lower limb
• Demonstrate common abnormal conditions
• Specific questions on the anatomy of the lower limb
• Discussion on the skeletal structure of the horse
• Discussion on subjects which were covered in the written test
• Discussion on general subjects relating to farriery