3.2.2 Introduction
The Assessment Policies and Procedures policy outlines procedures in the conduct of examinations but also makes brief comments about marking practices. It is made clear that External Examiners should see samples of continuous assessment; that External Examiners should not change individual marks; that oral presentation is a legitimate part of assessment (and that appropriate record keeping is important for this); that anonymization by matriculation number at all levels for assessed written coursework and examinations is required where practicable; and that (student) peer assessment should not normally constitute more than 25% of the work of a module. In addition the paper makes three specific points about marking:-
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Schools are expected to produce and publish grade/mark descriptors for each level of study and type of assessment (where appropriate), which conform to the SCQF guidelines for that level (eg 1000-level modules map onto SCQF level 7, 2000-level modules onto SCQF level 8, etc.). Grade/mark descriptors should be sufficiently relevant to the assessment for which they are used so as to provide meaningful feedback to students about their performance. Additional comments on assessment should amplify further the judgments made, highlighting areas for improvement as well as justifying the award of the mark.
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The descriptors will have been notified to the External Examiner as part of an initial briefing, on which an External Examiner may comment.
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Schools vary in practice with regard to marking strategies. Marking strategies should be appropriate both for the form of assessment and for the subject disciplines, and they should be in accordance with best practice in that discipline. Some Schools use blind double marking; in some others, the second marker has the advantage of the comments of the first marker. The External Examiner should be briefed about the School practices and has the right to comment. A student’s final module grade should not normally be awarded on the basis of a single individual’s marking of all elements, and in exceptional cases where this does occur, this should be notified clearly to the External Examiner and to the relevant Dean(s). The identification of second markers is the responsibility of the Head of School (or other delegate). A second marker may be appointed outwith the School or University, if necessary, for example when an appropriate specialist is not available in the University.