Introduction to Script Marking
Notes for New Examiners
Introduction
1.
These notes have been prepared jointly by the Joint Council Awarding Bodies
as an introduction to the task of marking scripts for GCSE, GCSE in
vocational subjects, GCE, VCE and GNVQ. These examinations are now
regulated by a single Code of Practice which aims to ‘promote quality,
consistency, accuracy and fairness in assessment and awarding ….. across
Awarding Bodies and different specifications from year to year’. Many
aspects of the marking process that you will be involved in are therefore
approached in a similar way whatever the subject and the Awarding Body.
Nevertheless you will need in due course to read carefully the more detailed
administrative instructions provided by the Awarding Body for which you are
marking.
Preparation
2.
Public examinations are organised to a very tight timetable, from the setting of
the question paper through an examiners’ meeting and the monitoring of
marking, to awarding procedures and the publication of results. As an
examiner, the consequence is that you are likely to have about three weeks to
mark your allocation of scripts: other aspects of the process will depend
on your meeting this deadline. Very often this work will have to be fitted in
with full-time teaching and with domestic arrangements, and there will be little
scope for slippage in your schedule.
3.
Your work as an examiner is absolutely confidential (see paragraph 6 below)
and is therefore best carried out at home. If possible, a private and secure
space should be set aside and used exclusively for marking. The work
involves frequent reference to various documents and it is obviously an
advantage if these can be conveniently to hand. If some space for marking
can be set aside, the work in hand need not be put away at the end of each
marking session and much valuable time can be saved. It is likely that you
will need to handle each packet of scripts at least three times: to check the
contents; to mark the scripts; and to check the accuracy of mark totalling and
transfer. Although it may be tempting to start immediately on the professional
work of marking, much time and frustration can be saved by taking the trouble
to undertake some preliminary organisation – so that scripts or documents
can be speedily found at any time and unnecessary handling of scripts be
avoided.
Preliminaries
4.
Your work as an examiner begins before the examiners’ meeting, and the
pack of material you will receive before marking begins may seem daunting.
The most important document at this stage is a booklet of administrative
instructions which all examiners have to follow, and which puts most of the
other documents into context. It is of paramount importance that you take
time to read this so that you understand the basic administrative framework
within which marking will take place. This document also serves as an
important source of information and advice when a problem occurs, and it
should therefore be kept available for easy reference.
5.
Arrangements for the despatch of scripts vary between Awarding Bodies; you
may collect scripts at the end of the Examiners’ meeting or scripts may be
delivered to you. When scripts start to arrive, the first and most important task
is to check the contents of each packet. The contents of most packets will be
as expected; however, problems and discrepancies do occur, and the
detailed administrative instructions from your Awarding Body will tell you how
to deal with these. Although the majority of script packets should arrive
shortly after the examination, there will be occasions when packets take
considerably longer. You will be advised what time to allow before taking
further action.
Security of Scripts and Marksheets
6.
The detailed administrative instructions will emphasise that the work of an
examiner is confidential and that you are responsible for the security of all the
scripts and marksheets in your possession. These should be kept securely at
home, especially in your absence. They should never be left in cars, and
should be kept away from sources of potential damage such as fire and
spilled drinks. You must adhere strictly to the ruling that forbids the
marking of scripts in public places, such as on a train.
The Examiners’ Meeting
7.
A condition of your appointment is that you must attend an examiners’
meeting: failure to attend the whole meeting will normally disqualify you from
marking. The meeting is likely to last until late afternoon, and you should
make travel arrangements accordingly. As a new examiner, you may be
asked to attend an additional training and briefing meeting. This may be held
either before or after the main meeting or on a separate day. In some cases
time will be set aside for this during the main meeting.
8.
The examiners’ meeting will provide a full explanation of the marking scheme
and its application. Prior to the meeting you will be expected to have
provisionally marked a small sample of scripts in pencil. This will enable you
to trial the mark scheme and note any difficulties in regard to its application to
candidates’ work. Discussion at the meeting will be based on a number of
photocopied scripts. It is intended that this exercise should give all examiners
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a feel for the paper and marking scheme so that any problems with the
understanding and application of the marking scheme can be identified.
9.
You will have the opportunity at the meeting of asking questions and seeking
clarification about any points. During the meeting you will mark a number of
questions from the photocopied scripts. You will need to annotate your copy
of the marking scheme and to keep a clear record of all modifications. If
significant changes are made, you will be provided with a revised copy of the
marking scheme. It is most important that by the end of the meeting all
examiners have a clear understanding of the application of the agreed
scheme of marking: this final marking scheme is not subsequently open
to negotiation and must be applied in every detail. You will also have
opportunity to annotate a script in line with Awarding Body guidelines and
subject specific detail from the mark scheme. You must adhere to guidelines
on annotation.
10.
While the main purpose of the meeting is to co-ordinate marking, there will be
important administrative procedures to be communicated: if you have any
queries about these which are not covered in the main meeting, you should
take them up with an Officer at the Awarding Body or your Team Leader.
Script Marking
11.
After the examiners’ meeting the marking of scripts starts in earnest. The first
task will be to mark a sample of 10 scripts or more and to send them to a
Team Leader or other Senior Examiner, who will check that the marking
scheme is being applied accurately and consistently. Until these scripts are
returned, or the Team Leader has indicated satisfaction with your application
of the marking scheme by telephone, it will be necessary for you to be
prepared to review any marking which you have undertaken in the meantime.
It is vital therefore that this first sample is posted quickly, so that you get the
go-ahead to mark your allocation of scripts within a few days of the meeting,
or your timetable will begin to slip behind. Precise instructions on this
important stage of the process will be given by your Awarding Body.
12.
Given the time-scale, it will be essential for you to plan the use of your time
throughout the marking period. The number of scripts to be marked and the
total time available to complete the work is known at the outset, so that a daily
marking quota and a progress chart will be helpful aids. It is important to
remember that the first 50 or so scripts are likely to take longer than those
marked later when the marking scheme is thoroughly learned.
13.
Whatever the quota for a particular day, you will also need to decide at what
time of the day to do the work. Some examiners favour a lengthy stint each
evening, while others prefer to rise early to complete part of the day’s quota.
Your most important responsibility as an examiner is to apply the marking
scheme accurately and consistently to each script, regardless of where it
comes in your marking allocation. There will be times when you are not sure
how the marking scheme should be applied to a particular response. A
telephone call to your Team Leader should usually resolve matters, but you
will be advised about means of ensuring that a script has the benefit of
another view if necessary.
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14.
If your period of marking is interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances it is
important that you work through the bench mark photocopied scripts marked
during the Examiners’ meeting before resuming your work.
Return of Scripts and Marksheets
15.
However thoroughly you plan to meet the completion date for marking,
unforeseen problems may occur. If you do face such problems, it is always
essential that you alert both your Team Leader and the Awarding Body, rather
than letting the problem get out of hand: It becomes increasingly difficult to
make alternative arrangements at the end of the marking period. Your ability
to organise your time appropriately and to keep the Awarding Body
informed of any potential problems is of crucial importance. Your suitability
for future appointment will be based on all aspects of your performance –
administrative as well as accuracy of marking.
16.
The marking process does not end with the return of scripts by examiners:
during and after the marking period sampling of all examiners’ scripts will take
place to check on consistency and accuracy. Arrangements for selecting and
despatching scripts vary between Awarding Bodies: you may be asked to
send samples directly to your Team Leader or they may be taken from scripts
returned to the offices. Whatever the methods, this stage of the assessment
process is again dependent on deadlines being met.
17.
Throughout the marking and before returning scripts and marksheets there
will be various clerical tasks to complete, including a check on the totalling
and transfer of marks. This is most important, because however carefully you
have marked scripts, this will count for little if the wrong mark is entered.
Whatever method of checking is stipulated, it is worth remembering that each
error introduced at the initial marking stage is one more to be dealt with
subsequently.
Reports and Feedback
18.
All Awarding Bodies recognise the value of feedback for both teachers and
examiners. Centres are provided with reports on each year’s examinations
and you may be required to contribute to this process by writing a report on
the scripts you have marked. You will also be given some feedback on your
own performance as an examiner.
19.
Finally … marking examination scripts is a demanding but also a rewarding
experience. Many GCE and GCSE examiners have been marking for a
considerable number of years, and continuity in personnel is an important
factor in running efficient and reliable examinations. It is hoped that if you are
marking for the first time these notes will help you tackle the work with
confidence this year and in the future.
April 2005
7470RL.BE
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