This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
photos de produits en situation
comité mémoire B'nai B'rith

Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

Session: Synthèse

English translation:

Comprehensive exam

Added to glossary by Janice Giffin
Dec 17, 2013 03:34
10 yrs ago
35 viewers *
French term

Session: Synthèse

French to English Social Sciences Education / Pedagogy Academic studies
I am translating a transcript from an Algerian university. At the bottom, it indicates

« Session: Cont. Continu, Synthèse, Rattrapage »

with two of those choices crossed-out. I know about « contrôle continu » (continuous assessment) and « rattrapage » (remedial teaching), but I'm not sure I quite understand what « synthèse » means in this context.

Merci bien d'avance!
Proposed translations (English)
5 +1 Comprehensive exam
3 +1 review
Change log

Dec 18, 2013 08:25: Janice Giffin Created KOG entry

Discussion

Sophie Oliveau-Moore (asker) Dec 17, 2013:
First of all, thank you for your answers and the interesting discussion. I was confused about whether "session" referred to an examination or a teaching period, such as a semester. I finally called the client to clarify that point and he confirmed that we are talking about exams, here. So it looks like "comprehensive" is the way to go.
cchat Dec 17, 2013:
@Lorraine In France, rattrapage generally means exam resit. Often "session de rattrapage". University "rattrapage" is basically a second exam session for those who didn't pass first time.
A transcript gives a student's results and indicates the type of examination.
That is the context described by the Asker.

This link is for the baccalauréat.
http://etudiant.lefigaro.fr/orientation/actus-et-conseils/de...
Lorraine Dubuc Dec 17, 2013:
@Janice, 'rattrapage' means catch up study and not catch up exam. This is usually an extra time over the regular class schedule that is dedicated to learning with the help of a teacher on a more private basis.
Lorraine Dubuc Dec 17, 2013:
Une synthèse c'est passer en revue (la révision) de la matière apprise et rattrapage, ce sont des sessions d'apprentissage supplémentaires pour ceux qui ne performent pas bien dans le cours ou dans les examens.
Janice Giffin Dec 17, 2013:
@cchat I agree that rattrapage is a catch up exam (in the US we call it a make up exam). The word "session" is followed by a colon and then a list of 3 words that denote assessment. Transcripts are often chronological, so they do list a failed exam in one semester and then list it as "made up" in a following semester. Anyway, thanks for the WR thread...it is spot on!
Daryo Dec 17, 2013:
I think more context is needed. So far it sounds like the bottom of a preprinted form concerning just one exam.
cchat Dec 17, 2013:
@ Daryo: Session de rattrapage I think you are forgetting the term "session".
Most transcripts include the means of assessment.
The full exam session may well include continuous assessment (I agree with your description), then a final overarching exam, then the possibility of a resit.
I don't think transcripts generally list pedagogical approaches.
cchat Dec 17, 2013:
rattrapage I think that "rattrapage" is more a re-sit or catch-up examination.
So perhaps the entire list is 'continuous assessment', 'final exam' or "overview exam" and 'resit'
There's a thread on wordreference:
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=540798&langi...
examen de rattrapage - resit (as another option)
examen de synthèse - comprehensive exam; prelim

Proposed translations

+1
4 hrs
Selected

Comprehensive exam

The whole phrase refers to types of assessment. Doctoral students are required to take a comprehensive exam to see how well they are able to integrate coursework and further research before they embark on their dissertation.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 hrs (2013-12-17 11:04:59 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I see that preliminary exam is also used. "Comps" and "prelims" seem to mean the same thing
Reference:

http://www.sciencessociales.uottawa.ca/psy/examen-synthese

http://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/psy/comprehensive-examination

Peer comment(s):
agree Jenny Bright
23 mins
Thanks, Jenny.
neutral Lorraine Dubuc : je croyais que contrôle continu voulait dire justement comprehensive exam...ce n'est pas examen de synhèse mais bien synthèse
4 hrs
neutral Eliza Hall : I don't see where you're getting that this is for a PhD or graduate degree.
2476 days
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Merci beaucoup, Janice"
+1
1 hr

review

I think

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 heures (2013-12-17 14:42:51 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Une synthèse est généralement la révision de la matière apprise.
Peer comment(s):
agree philgoddard : This is what I'd go for in the absence of a detailed knowledge of the Algerian education system.
8 hrs
Thank you!
Something went wrong...
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search