Step 4) of ATARNotes expansion: ATARNotes Trial Exams! A CALL FOR WRITERS

[enwiabe]

N.B. The eagle-eyed among you will notice that we are 'missing' step 3). We aren't. It's coming. It's almost ready, but like the tutoring section we're just waiting on a damn layout!

LOOKING FOR EXAM WRITERS TO PRODUCE PAPERS FOR 2011 END OF YEAR EXAMS. Applications close July 8, 2011 and the earlier you apply the better.

What is this this?

This idea has been floating around VN/AN forever in unofficial form. I'm now attempting to create a publishing arm for ATARNotes (could eventually lead to textbooks, other things etc.) and the first step in this is to start manufacturing trial exams.

Will they be free for AN members?

All writers writing practice exams for their subjects will have to write at least TWO sets of practice exams. The reason being that, yes, for every subject for which we manufacture practice exams, there will be AT LEAST one set per subject available to members for free.

How much will it cost? Are you going to be making money from this?

The specific pricing has not yet been finalised and will be worked out in conjunction with the writers and the ATARNotes staff. We will be making money from this. In an ideal world, money wouldn't exist etc. But the only way that you're going to get the free set of exams is if there are commercial ones being sold to pay the writers. That said, we will be undercutting the cost of resources from competitor companies considerably in order to make them as affordable as possible. And that's not just to get our name out there in the first year. We'll keep doing that year after year in line with our mission statement and ethos

How do I get involved in this?

Please apply ASAP if you're interested. We're looking to kick this off this year!

There are no hard and fast criteria like "x" study score required. But we will be very selective. Please send a resume and a cover letter to [email protected] and CC [email protected] to apply to be a writer. The resume should include all relevant experience like study scores, relevant education and work experience and so on. The cover letter should be about why you're going to be an amazing exam writer etc. You can also send examples of similar past work.

In the e-mail itself you should use the following template:

Subject: Exam Writer Application

Message body:

Name:
Forum Username:
Subjects:

Note: If you're reading this and do not have an account, then leave 'forum username' blank
Note 2: Subjects refers only to the subjects you're applying to WRITE for.

What will I get out of this if I become a writer?

- Generous remuneration (to be finalised in negotiation with the writers whom we accept)
- Your name in bold on the front of the exam papers you write along with your e-mail and/or website underneath (great for spreading your reptuation within the VCE community)
- A wonderful addition to your resume.

Some ideas I need from everyone!

We're going to have an e-store to sell the papers. But I want to be able to reach people without electronic means of payment or have parents who are hesitant to use them. I'd like to set up shop somewhere in the city once a week (on a Saturday/Sunday) and sell to people who want to buy them in person. Does anyone know where I could potentially rent a temporary shop front like this once a week?

I'd also like to welcome any and all feedback you guys might have about this!

[pi]

Is it possible to apply to join this scheme next year too (ie. after the class of 2011 finishes VCE)?

[enwiabe]

Is it possible to apply to join this scheme next year too (ie. after the class of 2011 finishes VCE)?

We'll hopefully be doing this every year from now on

[burbs]

We will be making money from this.

- Generous remuneration (to be finalised in negotiation with the writers whom we accept)

Can we set aside a percentage of the money earned to be donated to an education based charity? I will happily find a worthwhile one.

[enwiabe]

We will be making money from this.

- Generous remuneration (to be finalised in negotiation with the writers whom we accept)

Can we set aside a percentage of the money earned to be donated to an education based charity? I will happily find a worthwhile one.

Once ATARNotes is liquid, we're going to establish our own scholarship fund to send kids who can't afford it to uni.

[burbs]

We will be making money from this.

- Generous remuneration (to be finalised in negotiation with the writers whom we accept)

Can we set aside a percentage of the money earned to be donated to an education based charity? I will happily find a worthwhile one.

Once ATARNotes is liquid, we're going to establish our own scholarship fund to send kids who can't afford it to uni.

I'd assume that's a while down the road though, whilst these are going to be generating profit much sooner.

If we set this label up as socially responsible and ethical it will go a long way. Currently I hear a lot of people complaining about how these other exam companies are just looking for money and scaremongering to get it.

[enwiabe]

We will be making money from this.

- Generous remuneration (to be finalised in negotiation with the writers whom we accept)

Can we set aside a percentage of the money earned to be donated to an education based charity? I will happily find a worthwhile one.

Once ATARNotes is liquid, we're going to establish our own scholarship fund to send kids who can't afford it to uni.

I'd assume that's a while down the road though, whilst these are going to be generating profit much sooner.

If we set this label up as socially responsible and ethical it will go a long way. Currently I hear a lot of people complaining about how these other exam companies are just looking for money and scaremongering to get it.

Jee that's not fair We don't really have any money at the moment. I haven't taken a cent out of the AN kitty in the 4 years I've run it. It's all been spent on improving it and making it better. You're just going to have to trust that I -am- socially responsible (I am). Charity will come, but we have to actually have some money to give away first At the moment, any money we make is sitting there as capital to fund improvements to the site. In the case of these practice exams, it will cover startup costs for printing the exams and distributing them etc.

When I start taking a salary, that is when we'll start donating to charity.

Also in regard to social and ethical conscience. I can't believe I forgot to put it in the original post (will amend that to include it now) but we are going to make the commercial exams very cheap for both schools and individuals to buy.

[pi]

Some ideas I need from everyone!

We're going to have an e-store to sell the papers. But I want to be able to reach people without electronic means of payment or have parents who are hesitant to use them. I'd like to set up shop somewhere in the city once a week (on a Saturday/Sunday) and sell to people who want to buy them in person. Does anyone know where I could potentially rent a temporary shop front like this once a week?

I'd also like to welcome any and all feedback you guys might have about this!

It might be easier (and cheaper ) to apply for a temporary street stall somewhere in the city (maybe outside Academic and General on holidays?).

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/enterprisemelbourne/industries/hospitality/streetstalls/Pages/StreetStalls.aspx

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/enterprisemelbourne/industries/hospitality/streetstalls/Pages/TemporarySites.aspx

[enwiabe]

Some ideas I need from everyone!

We're going to have an e-store to sell the papers. But I want to be able to reach people without electronic means of payment or have parents who are hesitant to use them. I'd like to set up shop somewhere in the city once a week (on a Saturday/Sunday) and sell to people who want to buy them in person. Does anyone know where I could potentially rent a temporary shop front like this once a week?

I'd also like to welcome any and all feedback you guys might have about this!

It might be easier (and cheaper ) to apply for a temporary street stall somewhere in the city (maybe outside Academic and General on holidays?).

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/enterprisemelbourne/industries/hospitality/streetstalls/Pages/StreetStalls.aspx

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/enterprisemelbourne/industries/hospitality/streetstalls/Pages/TemporarySites.aspx

Would prefer indoors but beggars can't be choosers Thanks for the idea

[taiga]

Not too involved with the financial side of things, but we need to actually make some money before we make pledges to charity. Something that I've discussed with Dan is the fact that in it's first year, this is not particularly likely to generate much revenue. Also take into account that there are going to be a lot of legal, distribution, and administrative factors put into this, which are going to take away what actually reaches us (and we will be excessively transparent with those involved as to where money is going, to the cent.).

Whilst it is all good to be socially responsible and ethical in the sense in which you see it, we're trying to do exactly that in our own way. We've made an ethical promise to everyone on this forum that we will be here to provide as many resources as we can for free, and not pressurize anyone into buying them individually (though you may choose to do so if you wish).

So why is the cost factor included?

I trialled this earlier in the year, I got about 35 keen responses on people willing to do it for free. Not one person followed through. I'm not blaming anyone for that, because I understand that people need to get some sort of benefit out of doing things. That's why we're keeping the balance by having a free paper, and a second paper which the writers can make their own money on.

Furthermore, we're undercutting every major company on price (up to 50% of what they charge), the writers will take a lot more pay than the writers of other commercial papers, there is a fund to set up for a scholarship fund (which we will provide an EXACT amount for everyone to see once we have some revenue), and the other motive of doing this is getting the ATARNotes name out to schools, which will only expand the amount of members, and hence resources on this website.

That said, we can hear what you're saying, and we're looking at how our other methods of expansion may enable us to further gain money for charitable purposes.

[burbs]

We will be making money from this.

- Generous remuneration (to be finalised in negotiation with the writers whom we accept)

Can we set aside a percentage of the money earned to be donated to an education based charity? I will happily find a worthwhile one.

Once ATARNotes is liquid, we're going to establish our own scholarship fund to send kids who can't afford it to uni.

I'd assume that's a while down the road though, whilst these are going to be generating profit much sooner.

If we set this label up as socially responsible and ethical it will go a long way. Currently I hear a lot of people complaining about how these other exam companies are just looking for money and scaremongering to get it.

Jee that's not fair We don't really have any money at the moment. I haven't taken a cent out of the AN kitty in the 4 years I've run it. It's all been spent on improving it and making it better. You're just going to have to trust that I -am- socially responsible (I am). Charity will come, but we have to actually have some money to give away first At the moment, any money we make is sitting there as capital to fund improvements to the site. In the case of these practice exams, it will cover startup costs for printing the exams and distributing them etc.

When I start taking a salary, that is when we'll start donating to charity.

Also in regard to social and ethical conscience. I can't believe I forgot to put it in the original post (will amend that to include it now) but we are going to make the commercial exams very cheap for both schools and individuals to buy.

I didn't mean it to be an attack, it's more a suggestion for how to set aside the AN label from everyone else. Certainly did not mean for it to seem like you wouldn't donate. Fair enough, I'm sure you've looked into the logistics of this.

[Russ]

Impressive.

But I want to be able to reach people without electronic means of payment or have parents who are hesitant to use them.

Cheque/postal order could save you rental money, but I guess people might be wary of just posting off money if they're wary of internet banking etc.

[jane1234]

- Generous remuneration (to be finalised in negotiation with the writers whom we accept)
- Your name in bold on the front of the exam papers you write along with your e-mail and/or website underneath (great for spreading your reptuation within the VCE community)
- A wonderful addition to your resume.

Would we have to have our real names printed (for those of us who want to keep our anonymity on AN)?

[Mao]

Good idea, maybe with money on the table we'll finally produce these damn papers.

One thingyou should pay some attention to is the authoring process. there should also be reviewers who sit the exam blind and give advice on it. The answers should also be produced by a board of experts as most questions (outside of maths) have multiple correct answers.

I'll be happy to participate in the reviewing process for maths and chemistry.

[taiga]

Good idea, maybe with money on the table we'll finally produce these damn papers.

One thingyou should pay some attention to is the authoring process. there should also be reviewers who sit the exam blind and give advice on it. The answers should also be produced by a board of experts as most questions (outside of maths) have multiple correct answers.

I'll be happy to participate in the reviewing process for maths and chemistry.

Yeah had a plan to give people the paper without answers, have our own set of solutions, and then use the answers given to 1. identify common mistakes, and of course gain a better insight into how the question could be answered.