QMUL Exam Marking Procedures Overview

Joint Programme Exam Marking Procedures at QMUL

• Assistant Examiners (AEs) mark QMUL-set JP examination papers.
• Course Examiners (CEs) moderate the marking.
• Marking schemes are outlines, but detailed schemes are required for AE marking.
• Papers not meeting the detailed marking scheme are marked by CEs.

Script Reconciliation

• Examination number must be clearly written on each script.
• Invigilators check scripts against attendance lists, noting discrepancies.
• A copy of the attendance list is included in the script envelope.
• At QMUL, CEs open envelopes and verify scripts against the attendance list.
• Attendance sheets are signed, dated, and discrepancies reported immediately.
• AEs enter marks onto spreadsheets, which automatically calculate totals.
• Script checkers (SCs) verify marks on scripts with the corresponding spreadsheet entries for correctness.
• A count of scripts is taken by CEs, ensuring none are missing.
• Attendance sheets are signed and dated to confirm. Scripts are returned to Eng 210.

Marking Procedures

• Marking is organized so each AE and CE's contributions are recorded.
• A selection of scripts (at least 10 examples of each question) is copied for each AE.
• AEs mark assigned questions “blind” of the work of other markers.
• Discrepancies are resolved among AEs & CEs through meetings; minor scheme adjustments are possible and must be recorded.
• AEs cannot award marks below the specified granularity in the marking scheme.
• AEs mark half the remaining scripts.
• CEs re-mark a sample of scripts from each AE (10 samples of each question) to check accuracy, resolving discrepancies.
• Scripts are remarked until discrepancies are resolved.
• AEs finish marking the remaining scripts.
• SCs check marks on complete scripts matching spreadsheet entries ensuring accuracy.
• CEs then re-check a sample of script checks from each SC to confirm accurate recording (covering 10 samples).
• Initial and date front cover to show each step of rechecking.
• CEs review scripts where the overall mark is a fail, but the module mark is 38-39.

Marking Detail

• Use a clear, verifiable marking system.
• Initial markings are done in red ink.
• Marks for each section are recorded on both the question sheet and the front cover.
• Question totals are recorded on both the question sheet and the front cover.
• Final total marks from spreadsheets are copied to designated spaces.
• Total scores per question are not rounded.
• Coursework and examination marks for 2016/17 and earlier cohorts are rounded up to the nearest whole number; for 2017/18 and later cohorts, scores are rounded to the nearest integer out of 100.
• All scores should be written in the right-hand margin; only factual comments may be written on the script.
• Scores of 0 are specifically written in scripts for questions marked as 0.
• Marks in error are crossed out with an X or /, and correct marks entered as a V.

Script Checking Detail

• All marking and script checks must use green ink.
• Each page must have at least one green tick.
• Tick marks indicate sections and copied/total verification.
• Review breakdowns in the marking spreadsheet.
• Check transcription accuracy with, and date, ticks on the front script cover for every question.
• Errors need correction and the updated total on the front cover; all corrections must be initialed.
• Checking of all scripts is required for accuracy.

Example of correct marking (page 6)

• Keywords, functions, and their locations are in the margin using red and green ink, according to the instructions.
• Correct answers for questions are marked and a summarised total is given.

What NOT to do (Pages 7-8)

• Examples of poor marking practices, such as illegible writing and notation errors.