Code of Practice on Assessment

Summer 2014

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Aims

An assessment policy that is:

• Transparent

• Consistent

• Fair

Common Grading Scale

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Common Grading Scale (CGS)

• A (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• B (1, 2, 3)

• C (1, 2, 3)

• D (1, 2, 3)

• E – G

• First *Distinction

• 2:1 * Commendation

• 2:2 * Pass

• 3 * Pass

• Fail * Fail

• 23 point Alpha-Numeric Scale (A1 – G3)

• D3 represents a pass

• Grades associated with a grade point (A1 = 22, G3 = 0) to allow numeric calculations for classification and award

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Band DescriptorsA: Work, which is largely and predominately characterised by the following:

• Outstanding ability and critical thought. • Evidence of extensive reading / research. • Superior understanding showing significant signs of originality and an in-

depth understanding of the topics covered.• Use of new information, new methodology or new theory. • Original insight and power of analysis in which arguments are cogent and

well supported in almost all respects or demonstrate creativity or originality.

• Excellent grasp of appropriate critical concepts.• Excellence in understanding and critical analytical ability.• Evidence of wide reading and discriminating use of relevant literature

sources and work experience where appropriate. ……

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SCQF Level descriptors

• Grade should be sensitive to level of study

• Achieving A1 at Level 1 does not require the same as A1 at Level 4

SCQF 7 (Level 1):• broad knowledge of the subject/discipline in general.• Knowledge that is embedded in the main theories, concepts and principles.• …

SCQF 10 (Level 4):• Knowledge that covers and integrates most of the principal areas, features,

boundaries, terminology and conventions of a subject discipline.• A critical understanding of the principal theories, concepts and principles.• Critically identify, define, conceptualise, and analyse complex problems and issues.• Critically review and consolidate knowledge, skills, practices and thinking in a

subject/discipline. • ….

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Determining an Assessment Grade

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When are Grades Used?

i. A Grade should be awarded for each component of assessment (i.e. each essay or examination question).

ii. In some cases, it may not be considered appropriate to award a CGS directly (e.g. multiple choice test / presentations). Schools should determine the appropriate percentage (or other) scale to be used to convert the mark to a grade on the CGS. This information must be available to all candidates, published in course handbooks and available to all Examiners.

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Determining Course Grades

Overall course grades are calculated as a weighted sum of component assessments

Grade Grade Point

% totalassessment

Calculation

Essay (B2) 16 20% (20%x16) + (20%x20) +(60%x14)= 15.6= 16 = Overall Course Grade B2

Presentation (A3)

20 20%

Exam (c2) 14 60%

Degree Classification and PGT Progression & Award

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Honours Classification - 1

Course Weight Grade Grade Point Calculation

AB3001 30 B2 16 Total credits = 240

Grade Point per course contributing to classification = (weight/total credits*grade point)

= (30/240*16) + … + (30/240*16)

= 16.75

AB3002 15 C1 14

AB3511 15 A3 20

AB3512 30 B1 17

AB3513 30 B2 16

AB4001 45 A3 20

AB4001 15 B2 16

AB4503 30 C1 14

AB4504 30 B2 16

1st attempts only count towards honours classification (i.e. not the resit GP)

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Honours Classification - 2• Grade Points used to calculate a Aberdeen GPA (credit-weighted)• GPA used to define degree class

Grade Point Average Degree Classification

18.0-22.0 First Class

greater than 17.0, less than 18.0 Borderline First / Upper Second Class

15.0 – 17.0 Upper Second Class

greater than 14.0, less than 15.0 Borderline Upper Second / Lower Second Class

12.0 – 14.0 Lower Second Class

greater than 11.0, less than 12.0 Borderline Lower Second / Third Class

9.0 - 11.0 Third Class

greater than 8.0, less than 9.0 Borderline Third Class / Fail

0 – 8.0 Fail

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PGT Progression & Award

Progression from PG Cert PG Diploma Masters

From Stage 1 to Stage 2 Achievement of 60 credits with a grade of D3 or better in all

From Stage 2 to Stage 3 Achievement of 120 credits with a grade of D3 or better in all

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PGT Progression & Award

Award

Award of Masters Degree Normally (i) achievement of 180 credits with a grade of D3 or better in all

Award of Masters Degree with Commendation

Normally (i) achievement of 180 credits with a grade of D3 or better in all (ii) a GPA of 15 or above, and

(iii) a grade of B3 or above in the project/Dissertation

Award of Masters Degree with Distinction

Normally (i) achievement of 180 credits with a grade of D3 or better in all (ii) a GPA of 18 or above, and

(iii) a grade of A5 or above in the project/Dissertation

* Candidates achieving a GPA of 14.1-14.9 will be considered borderline for the purposes of award of Pg Diploma or Master’s Degree with Commendation

** Candidates achieving a GPA of 17.1-17.9 will be considered borderline for the purposes of award of Pg Diploma or Master’s Degree with Distinction

1st attempts only count towards PGT Award (i.e. not the resit GP)

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Impaired Performance

• Where illness or other good cause has impaired performance on an in-course assessment or an examination, it is not possible for the Examiners to make a judgement about the extent of the impact

• Where examiners agree illness or other good cause has impacted performance:

i. If there is evidence that ILOs have been met, and >=75% weighting of assessments have been completed, an overall grade for the course can be returned adjusting accordingly for the assessments completed

ii. Where < 75% weighting of assessments has been completed, the assessment is set aside and the candidate takes the assessment again as a first sitting

iii. In the case of Borderline Candidates there may exceptionally be situations where candidates performance has been impaired for a prolonged time period. In such cases, the examiners may take account of this to determine final degree classification or postgraduate award.

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Borderline Candidates

Where the overall GPA for the award falls within a borderline zone Examiners should examine the following criteria to determine final degree classification or postgraduate award

(i) Median Grade

(ii) Vivas

(iii) Exceptional Circumstances

Implementation

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Implementation Timeline - UG

3 year implementation starting 2014/15 Session

Students are classified according to the Honours classification system in place when they entered Honours

2014/15:• all assessments marked using the new CGS scale.• Final year students grade using existing grade spectrum, Level 3 students

informed of the new classification

2015/16:• Final Year Students grade using both GPA and Grade Spectrum (no change

to weightings)• Level 3 students informed of equal weighting of course grade points

2016/17:• Final Year students classified using new GPA and no weightings

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Implementation Timeline - PGT

2 year implementation starting 2014/15 Session

Students are classified according to the PGT award system in place when they started their PGT programme

2014/15:• all assessments marked using the new CGS .• Jan 2014 PGT starts using existing grade spectrum• Sep 2014 PGT starts use new scale and new GPA system for award and

progression

2015/16:• All students use new CGS and GPA system of award and progression

Questions