First year mathematics degree students at Leicester Polytechnic attend a course in mathematical modelling. The aim is to introduce the students to mathematical modelling concepts and to model development. Work is set and marked during the course and this forms a vital part of the students' assessment. In addition to this, however, the students are assessed by means of a three hour examination at the end of the year. This examination is significantly different from the normal ‘five out of eight’ type. The philosophy and organization of the examination are discussed in this paper. An example of a particular examination, that for June 1986, is included as an appendix to illustrate the points made in the discussion.