Assessment Boards

External Examiner Training

13 May 2015

Assessment Boards

Two-tier system for the determination of marks and results:

• First tier: Module Assessment Board (MAB) considers module performance and determines the mark

• Second tier: University Assessment Board (UAB) considers the progress of students through awards and end of session results (for continuing students)

Academic standards matters should be discussed initially in the MAB and brought to the attention of the UAB.

External Examiners will be notified of Board dates and invited to attend relevant assessment boards by CIP Admin (Subject EEs for MABs) or the Assessment Team (Award EEs for UABs).

Module Assessment Boards [Regs F11.7]

Confirm the marks to be awarded for each module.

Consider and make recommendations to the second tier board on the operation of condonement or discretion.

Consider and make recommendation on failures, malpractice, special cases and deferred assessment to the second tier board.

Identify and consider standards issues arising from the assessment exercise.

Special consideration of 20% failure rate.

Special consideration to mean and standard deviation.

Module Assessment Boards

Prior to the MAB, External Examiners must have:

Completed the moderation of all modules for which they are appointed.

Confirmed that marking standards are accurate.

Liaised with the Head of Department or Programme Leader as appropriate, on recommendations for fails or special cases.

Communicated to the Head of Department or Programme Leader on appropriate comments they wish to draw to the attention of the Board.

MAB Mark SheetsMark sheets will include:

The weighting of each item of assessment within the module.

For each student, the raw marks for each component of the total assessment, and the total module mark (calculated in accordance with the validated weighting scheme).

The mean mark per cohort and the standard deviation demonstrating each of the component marks and how the overall mark has been arrived at.

In the case of courses containing a professional element, professional performance should be included.

For reassessment, both the initial and resit marks (both actual and capped marks).

University Assessment Boards [F11.9]

The UAB considers the profile of marks for each continuing and completing student.

University Award External Examiners are required to attend UABs and will be invited accordingly.

For continuing students the UAB:

Confirms the results for each student in relation to progress through the programme.

Exercises condonement provisions in accordance with Regulations. (Reg F14 and F15)

Resolves fails, deferred assessment, malpractice and other special cases.

University Assessment Boards Undergraduate programmes offer two reassessment opportunities, unless

professional body requirements prohibit this or a programme has specifically validated a programme to only allow one reassessment.

Postgraduate programmes offer one reassessment opportunity.

Providing there is no conflict with a PSRB, the UAB has discretion to approve an exceptional third reassessment opportunity (second opportunity for postgraduate level) where there is a reasonable chance of successful completion and within the limits of 1 x 20 credits at each Level.

‘Reassessment without attendance’ status is implemented when a student does not have enough credit to progress to the next level of study.

An Assessment Contract will be required for any student with 40 or more credits in reassessment, a 2nd reassessment or where there has been confirmed malpractice.

University Assessment Boards

For finalists the UAB:

Identifies the final award outcomes. (Regs H3-H7)

Applies approved rules in relation to borderline cases and determines the final award.

Ensures comparability of treatment for students in the interpretation of the Regulations.

University Assessment BoardsAward classifications are calculated on the arithmetic mean of module marks achieved as follows:

Honours Degree Level 4 marks are excluded Level 5 and Level 6 marks are weighted 30:70 The weakest 20 credits is discounted Where the mean percentage mark (MPM) is less than 2% below the next

higher classification and at least 100 credits are in the higher band the student will be awarded the higher classification.

Top-Up Degree

• All marks contribute towards the MPM• Where the MPM is less than 2% below the next higher classification and

at least 40 credits are in the higher band the student will be awarded the higher classification.

University Assessment Boards Foundation Degree & Target DipHE

• Level 4 and Level 5 marks are weighted 30:70• Merit is awarded when the MPM is 59.5% or above.• Distinction is awarded when the MPM 69.5% or above.• The weakest 20 credits is discounted

Masters Degree• All modules contribute towards the MPM.• Merit is awarded when the MPM is 59.5% or above.• Distinction is awarded when the MPM 69.5% or above and the

dissertation is not less than 65%.

Alternative Awards• UAB may award an alternative award and award title to students who

have failed the target award or leave at an interim progression point.

And finally …

Thank you - any questions?