Memo on History Department marking practices (April 2008)
1. Pro forma. Because of the new feedback process, the History Department
is abandoning last year’s requirement for a separation between marks and
comments on assessed essays and exams. Attached you will find three
separate forms: for examinations, for essays and for the literature report.
These will also be available as word documents. One full set must stay
with the essays / scripts.
2. Marking criteria. In your comments, please refer, wherever possible, to
the marking criteria in the staff handbook (pp. 35-37; also available on the
Intranet).
3. Language essays. Examiners should also look out for language essays,
which can attract up to six bonus points on half units and up to three
points on full units. For details, please see pages 42-3 in the staff
handbook.
4. Full range of marks. Please use the full range of marks! We have specific
marking criteria for the 75+ range (see page 36, the 6th point under the first
class marking criteria). But our External Examiners have repeatedly
pointed out the dangers of not using the 2.II range, so if you have work
that does not merit an ‘Upper Second’, please use the full range of 50-59
marks.
5. Marks ending in 9. Please avoid wherever possible marks ending in 9: it
is important that the mark gives a clear indication of the class it is in. Any
marks that unavoidably end in a 9 must be explicitly justified.
6. Adjudication. If, in exceptional cases, the first and second marker cannot
come to an agreement, an internal adjudicator (‘third marker’) must be
used.
7. Returning marks. When you (i.e. as the first marker) return the marks to
Paula (see ‘Examination dates’ for details on deadlines), please use the
anonymised examination cover sheet. You are asked to write down all the
agreed marks (i.e. for the examination, for the long essay, and the total for
the module). Paula will supply you with a separate cover sheet to convert
ID numbers into student names. Only then should the sheet be deanonymised. In other words, do not de-anonymise until the final marks
have been established.
8. Scripts and essays. All examination scripts and assessed work for third
years needs to be given to Paula. All year two work needs to be handed to
Paula on the day of the Second Year Exam Board. First year work does not
need to go to the Office, but needs to remain in your office until after the
summer.
9. In addition feedback forms on examinations will need to be completed.