Griffiths believes there are three important, but sometimes overlooked, aspects of the precept technique. One of these is careful planning. When he first started using discussion groups, he left much of the organization and planning to the individual leaders. Now he writes the discussion questions with the TAs and he goes over with them what he expects their students to gain from the precept sessions. This guarantees that students will all have the same materials and information needed for the exams.
Evaluation is the second critical component of the precept method.
Immediately following a precept session, he meets with the discussion leaders to evaluate the sessions. Griffiths keeps detailed notes of the evaluations so that when he and the TAs begin planning for the next semester they have a record of the changes they decided on when the material was still fresh in their minds. This is not to say that the questions that worked will automatically be included in the next semester's list. Griffiths and the TAs adapt the questions each term, allowing for new materials or leaving out readings that are no longer relevant. Having good TAs is a big help . . .