Minutes of the Assessment Sub-committee can be found on the Academic Board website.  Recent activities of the Assessment Sub-committee include:

Review of Assessment Rules and Policies

In an effort to promote greater consistency between the General Awards Rules (GARs) and the Handbook of University Policies and Procedures (HUPP) the ASC continues its review of assessment related rules and policies. Approved Members of the University community have been asked to comment on the revised General Award Rules proposed to manage the assessment of students at the University of Queensland. The rules have been re-framed with a view to providing clarity as to the distinctions between central and school-based examinations, in particular, as they relate to students’ entitlements to special and supplementary examinations, and have been set out in a way that is intended to be more intuitive to students and other members of the University community. The changes will then inform a further review of related assessment policies.

Grade Distributions

Throughout 2006 and early 2007 the ASC has been investigating changes in grade distribution from 1997 onward. More detailed analysis of data has been undertaken to explore possible reasons for apparent grade inflation over this time, especially in light of the shift from norm-based to criterion-referenced assessment practices. This report was referred to the Teaching and Learning Committee in April. It is intended that grade distribution data be made available to Faculties so they can undertake further detailed analysis if required.

Implementation of Anonymous Marking in Assessment

Members of ASC are giving further consideration to the University’s policy on anonymous marking and how it might extend, where appropriate, to other assessment activities.

Negative Marking in a Multiple Choice Marking Context

Throughout 2006, members of ASC have been discussing the use of negative marking in a multiple choice context. A discussion paper is currently under development.