Joint Programme Exam Marking Procedures at QMUL PDF

Joint Programme Exam Marking Procedures at QMUL 1 Introduction This is description of the procedure using Assistant Examiners (AE) to mark QMUL-set JP examination papers with the Course Examiners (CE) doing detailed moderating. All QMUL examination papers are submitted to the external examin...

Joint Programme Exam Marking Procedures at QMUL 1 Introduction This is description of the procedure using Assistant Examiners (AE) to mark QMUL-set JP examination papers with the Course Examiners (CE) doing detailed moderating. All QMUL examination papers are submitted to the external examiners with solutions, but generally the marking scheme is only an outline one. To be eligible to have AEs mark the examinations, a detailed marking scheme must be included, specifying marking down to a granularity of 1 or 2 marks. Note: Papers that do not conform to the above requirement will have to be marked by CEs. 2 Script reconciliation This procedure is to ensure that scripts do not go missing in the transfer between BUPT and QMUL. 1) At the end of the exam when collecting scripts invigilators should check that the examination number is written clearly on the script. 2) When scripts are collected in an examination room, invigilators should check the scripts against the attendance list and mark up any discrepancies. A copy of the list should be put in the envelope with the scripts and the envelope sealed. 3) On arrival at QMUL, each envelope is opened by the CE and scripts checked against the attendance list and any discrepancies reported immediately; if there are no discrepancies the attendance sheet is signed and dated by the CE as a record. The CE can use the help of AEs to do this task. 4) After marking, AEs enter the marks to spreadsheets. Marks of each question should be entered correctly and the total mark will be calculated automatically by the spreadsheet. 5) Due to the large amount of the scripts for some modules, the course organisers can use AEs for script checking, but they hold the overall responsibility. Script checking also includes a check of marks entered on the spreadsheet against marks on script to make sure the first marker entered the correct mark. 6) Once all scripts are returned to the CE following marking and script checking, a count of the scripts must be taken in order to ensure no scripts are missing. The CE must then sign and date the attendance sheet to confirm this and return the scripts to Eng 210. 1/8 3 Marking Procedure This procedure allows for the fact that there may be more than one AE and CE per course. 1) CEs must organise the marking in such a way that there is a record of which AE marked each question in each script and which SC script checked each script. 2) Before marking begins, a selection of scripts is copied with one copy for each AE. The selection size should allow at least 10 examples of each question. 3) Each CE and AE will mark their questions in the sample. This marking will be done “blind” of the other people marking. 4) Following that marking, each CE will hold a meeting with relevant AEs in order to ensure any discrepancies are resolved. Minor additions to the marking scheme (e.g. a solution with slightly different wording to be accepted) could be introduced at this point, which must be recorded and communicated to all relevant CEs and AEs. The original marks breakdown must NOT be changed. 5) An AE must NOT under any circumstance award marks at a smaller granularity than specified in the marking scheme. 6) The AEs will mark half of the remaining scripts. 7) CEs will remark (detailed marking of their questions, not just checking addition and transcription) a sample of scripts for each AE. The size of the sample for each AE will cover 10 samples of every question. Colour: Purple Initial and date the front cover to show the script has been remarked. If deemed necessary by the CE, then a meeting will be held as in (4) and the AEs will remark to remove any discrepancies and the checking as in (7) will be redone. 8) This process will be repeated until the condition in (7) is satisfied. 9) AEs will mark the remaining scripts. 10) Any blank (or nearly blank) scripts are seen, AEs must make a note on the spreadsheet. 11) Once marking is completed, scripts will be passed on to Script Checkers (SC). Each SC must work on entire scripts and not parts. See section 5 for details of marking. 12) CEs will redo a sample script check, including cross-checking with the spreadsheet, covering 10 samples from each SC. Avoid samples used to remark in (7). Colour: Purple Initial and date the front cover to show the script checking has been rechecked. 12) As final moderation, the CEs will check all scripts where the overall result for the module (i.e. including any coursework marks) is a “Fail” but the module mark is 38 or 39 (on the UK scale). 2/8 4 Marking detail It is important to use a marking system that is clear and can be checked by the external examiners. It may be necessary to add some comments as well. Marking First marking must be done in red ink. Marks for each section should be given in the designated box and transferred to the designated space at the end of the question. The question total must then be transferred to the front cover – it must be in both places so that the addition of sections and the transcription can be checked. Input marks of each question into the mark spreadsheet. Obtain the total mark for the script from the spreadsheet and copy this to the designated box in the front cover. This should be done by the AE marking the last question on each script. The final total is rounded* but the total per question must NOT be rounded. * For 2016/17 and earlier cohorts, Total coursework marks and examination marks are each rounded up to the nearest integer out of 100 * For 2017/18 and later cohorts, Total coursework marks and examination marks are each rounded to the nearest integer out of 100 There should be a red mark on every page to show that it has been seen - put a red line through every blank page. AEs should not write anything other than factual comments that may help a second marker. Showing marks Always put marks in the right-hand margin. No marks should be noted on the left-hand side. Do not show part marks out of a total or put a circle round it. If the part scores 0 then write 0. Cross out or mark with X parts that are wrong. Mark parts that are right with a √. 3/8 5 Script checking detail The purpose of script checking is to make sure that the marks have been added up properly and that the marker has seen every page of the script. Markers do make errors so it is very important that script checking is done carefully to remove these errors. Script checking should be done in green ink and there should be at least one large green tick on every page, including blank pages. Use a tick mark to indicate that you have checked the adding up of the section. Use a tick mark to indicate that you have checked the section marks have been correctly copied and the adding up is correct. Breakdown marks on the mark spreadsheet should also be checked to ensure the input is correct. Use a tick on the front cover for every question to show that the transcription is correct and then tick the total to show it is correct. If there is an obvious error in addition make the correction and correct the total on the front cover if appropriate. Initial the change. If you are in doubt always double check with the relevant CE. Note: In addition to accuracy, legibility is extremely important – everything you note as an AE/SC must be very clear to a third party inspecting the script. 4/8 6 Examples The right way to do things √ Green tick by the each mark to show that it has been copied correctly to the front Green tick to show the total is correct 5/8  Marks in the margin Green tick shows adding up of this part is correct Show total mark for this part 6/8 What NOT to do X – illegible writing What NOT to do X – wrong notation; do NOT circle any marks 7/8 What NOT to do X – script checking/marking omissions X 8/8 Test your knowledge: IET sample A Test your knowledge: IET sample B Test your knowledge: IET sample C