Peer-Assisted Study Scheme (PASS)

PASS provides an opportunity for you to learn in small groups with a trained peer leader. These groups are interactive and use collaborative learning. Research has also shown that students who regularly attend PASS sessions improve their marks and increase their enjoyment.

Currently, the PASS program runs in:

306-202: Intermediate Financial Accounting

306-208: Accounting for Corporate Entities

333-101: Finance 1

333-201: Business Finance

333-301: Investments

333-302: Corporate Finance

View the PASS timetables or register for a PASS session (if the session of your choice is full you will be unable to register and will have to choose an alternative time).

All PASS sessions will be conducted in tutorial rooms located on the Upper Ground (UG) floor of the ICT building. If you are unfamiliar with the ICT building, please refer to the map of UG rooms.

• What is the PASS Program?
• Who are the PASS Leaders?
• How do I join?
• Why should I join?
• What happens in PASS?

What is the PASS program?

PASS seeks to promote engaged, questioning, reflective learning. Participation in a PASS program helps to satisfy two conditions that are known to promote effective learning: the provision of timely and constructive feedback on academic performance/progress, and opportunities to study collaboratively in a peer group situation. Participation in the program also helps to develop valuable communication, team-building and other interpersonal skills in both the Leaders and the participants.

PASS materials (such as activities, questions, practice quizzes) have been developed by the PASS team using a range of resources. Unlike the lecture and tutorial materials, the content has not been developed in collaboration with lecturers and it does not have the status for ‘formal course content’. Rather, it is based on common questions from students’ and facilitators’ experiences. PASS material is not necessarily representative of assessable or examinable content but does provide opportunities to deepen and apply your learning in a specific unit of study. For specific advice on examinable content please ALWAYS consult with your lecturers.

Leaders are students who have completed the selected subject. On the basis of their interest in the program, their perceived personal qualities and a demonstrated ability in the subject area, they are appointed as Leaders by the PASS supervisor. Before the program starts the PASS Leaders undertake a training program conducted by the supervisor.

Attendance at PASS sessions is voluntary (although highly recommended). Timetables are available online and from the TLU. Students wishing to join the PASS program can choose a session time and register online. The PASS leader will record the student's name and student number. Attendance at PASS sessions is recorded in order to evaluate the program as well as to keep track of the numbers in each session. Places are limited so it's advisable to join the program early. Once you've committed to the program it's important to attend regularly.

Our research shows that students who regularly attend PASS sessions improve both their marks and their enjoyment of the subject. PASS not only increases students' confidence in the content of the subject but improves their motivation and their interpersonal skills. PASS sessions are relaxed and friendly and many students report that they make friends and find other students they can work with through the sessions.

PASS Leaders are not tutors - they are fellow students. Their role is to facilitate learning, to allow students to ask questions, clarify and discuss ideas, work through problems develop learning strategies and work collaboratively with other students. Their role is not to teach or to provide students with any answers, but to enable students to develop the skills to find the answers themselves.

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