Step 1: Find a module you are interested in

 

The CORS website has a complete listing of all the modules available in the semester. Go to http://www.cors.nus.edu.sg/schedule.html, scroll down and you can find the listing for the modules. Using GEMs as an example, the page would look something like this.



















































In Semester 1 AY12/13, 61 GEM modules are available. Business students are required to take at least 1 Science GEM.



Step 2: Timetabling



After selecting the module, you must ensure that there are no timetable clashes with the modules that you are allocated. If not, CORS would not allow for you to bid for the module.

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This can be done by using the online timetable builder or downloading the Unofficial Timetable Builder which unfortunately is designed for windows only. Alternatively, you can also check out NUSMods as it is more popular among the student population. 

 

Not just your weekly timetable, but your exam timetable as well! Once satisfied, proceed to step 3.



Step 3: Checking the module history

 

Modules are allocated based on demand and supply. Freshmen are not protected during the bidding for GEM/SS/Breadth as they are bid using the G account. Therefore, you must check if it is possible for you to meet the bid points before bidding for it. There is no point trying to bid for a module whose historical minimum bid is more that the 350 you have in your G account.

 

To do this, go to CORS Archive to look at the history of the certain module you have chosen. I will use GEK1006, Dynamics of Interpersonal Effectiveness as an example.

 

Looking at AY11/12 Round 2A bidding report, this is what I see.



















Oops, the lowest successful bid is 800. Which is beyond the 350 points I have. However, this is just one year ago, and you can go back to see even more reports to determine the trend for the modules.

 

Do take note that this is only indicative of the bid points required and would not reflect the actual bid points when you are bidding for the module. Just take it as a guide to help you make your decisions and have some back up modules to bid for as well.
If you are confident that you should be able to secure the module, then move on to step 4. Else, it’s back to step 1. Try again with another module.



Step 4: Bidding

 

Now here comes the fun part. During Open Bidding, you can see the quota, number of bidders, Highest and Lowest Bid Points (HLPB) and the next minimum bid. During Closed Bidding, you can only view the quota and the number of bidders. As such, you would need to monitor the quota and the number of bidders to decide how many points to bid.

 

You can also check the Open Bidding Statistics Reports, under Useful Info from the CORS website to see the bidding statistics (HLBP, Next minimum bid) which will be updated right when Closed Bidding starts. This can help you gauge if the amount of points to bid. Be warned though, many things can happen, and the final successful bid could greatly differ from the Next minimum bid as of the end of Open Bidding.

 

Here are some tips on bidding. Be patient, there is no need to throw in all your points right at the start; this will only drive the bid points up. Monitor the number of bidders closely, as the greater the number of bidders above the quota, it would be more likely for the successful bid to be higher.

 

Step 5:  Wait

 

After bidding has ended, the only thing left to do is to wait. The results are usually released the night after the round has ended and would be sent to your NUS email. Check it and see if you are successful and what was the successful bid points. If you have secured a module, congratulations!

 

If not, you have to bid in the next round. You would need to check the quotas for the modules as some may be filled and not available for bidding in subsequent rounds. Or else you have to pick another module, i.e. Step 1.