Code of Practice on Assessment
Summer 2014
Aims
An assessment policy that is:
• Transparent
• Consistent
• Fair
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Common Grading Scale
Common Grading Scale (CGS)
• 23 point Alpha-Numeric Scale (A1 – G3)
• D3 represents a pass
• A (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
• First
*Distinction
• B (1, 2, 3)
• 2:1
* Commendation
• C (1, 2, 3)
• 2:2
* Pass
• D (1, 2, 3)
• 3
* Pass
• E–G
• Fail
* Fail
• Grades associated with a grade point (A1 = 22, G3 = 0)
to allow numeric calculations for classification and
award
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Band Descriptors
A: Work, which is largely and predominately characterised by the following:
• Outstanding ability and critical thought.
• Evidence of extensive reading / research.
• Superior understanding showing significant signs of originality and an indepth understanding of the topics covered.
• Use of new information, new methodology or new theory.
• Original insight and power of analysis in which arguments are cogent and
well supported in almost all respects or demonstrate creativity or
originality.
• Excellent grasp of appropriate critical concepts.
• Excellence in understanding and critical analytical ability.
• Evidence of wide reading and discriminating use of relevant literature
sources and work experience where appropriate.
……
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SCQF Level descriptors
• Grade should be sensitive to level of study
• Achieving A1 at Level 1 does not require the same as A1 at Level 4
SCQF 7 (Level 1):
• broad knowledge of the subject/discipline in general.
• Knowledge that is embedded in the main theories, concepts and principles.
• …
SCQF 10 (Level 4):
• Knowledge that covers and integrates most of the principal areas, features,
boundaries, terminology and conventions of a subject discipline.
• A critical understanding of the principal theories, concepts and principles.
• Critically identify, define, conceptualise, and analyse complex problems and issues.
• Critically review and consolidate knowledge, skills, practices and thinking in a
subject/discipline.
• ….
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Determining an Assessment Grade
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When are Grades Used?
i. A Grade should be awarded for each component of assessment (i.e. each essay
or examination question).
ii. In some cases, it may not be considered appropriate to award a CGS directly (e.g.
multiple choice test / presentations). Schools should determine the appropriate
percentage (or other) scale to be used to convert the mark to a grade on the
CGS. This information must be available to all candidates, published in course
handbooks and available to all Examiners.
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Determining Course Grades
Overall course grades are calculated as a weighted sum of
component assessments
Grade
Grade
Point
% total
assessment
Essay (B2)
16
20%
Presentation
(A3)
20
20%
Exam (c2)
14
60%
Calculation
(20%x16) + (20%x20) +(60%x14)
= 15.6
= 16
= Overall Course Grade B2
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Degree Classification and PGT
Progression & Award
Honours Classification - 1
Course
Weight
Grade Grade Point
AB3001
30
B2
16
AB3002
15
C1
14
AB3511
15
A3
20
AB3512
30
B1
17
AB3513
30
B2
16
AB4001
45
A3
20
AB4001
15
B2
16
AB4503
30
C1
14
AB4504
30
B2
16
Calculation
Total credits = 240
Grade Point per course
contributing to classification =
(weight/total credits*grade point)
= (30/240*16) + … + (30/240*16)
= 16.75

1st attempts only count towards honours classification (i.e. not the resit GP)
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Honours Classification - 2
• Grade Points used to calculate a Aberdeen GPA (credit-weighted)
• GPA used to define degree class
Grade Point Average
Degree Classification
18.0-22.0
First Class
greater than 17.0, less than 18.0
Borderline First / Upper Second Class
15.0 – 17.0
Upper Second Class
greater than 14.0, less than 15.0
Borderline Upper Second / Lower Second Class
12.0 – 14.0
Lower Second Class
greater than 11.0, less than 12.0
Borderline Lower Second / Third Class
9.0 - 11.0
Third Class
greater than 8.0, less than 9.0
Borderline Third Class / Fail
0 – 8.0
Fail
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PGT Progression & Award
Progression from PG Cert  PG Diploma  Masters
From Stage 1 to Stage 2
Achievement of 60 credits with a grade of D3 or better in all
Achievement of 120 credits with a grade of D3 or better in all
From Stage 2 to Stage 3
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PGT Progression & Award
Award
Award of Masters Degree
Normally (i) achievement of 180 credits with a grade of D3 or better in all
Award of Masters Degree
with Commendation
Normally (i) achievement of 180 credits with a grade of D3 or better in all
(ii) a GPA of 15 or above, and
(iii) a grade of B3 or above in the project/Dissertation
Award of Masters Degree
with Distinction
Normally (i) achievement of 180 credits with a grade of D3 or better in all
(ii) a GPA of 18 or above, and
(iii) a grade of A5 or above in the project/Dissertation
* Candidates achieving a GPA of 14.1-14.9 will be considered borderline for the purposes of
award of Pg Diploma or Master’s Degree with Commendation
** Candidates achieving a GPA of 17.1-17.9 will be considered borderline for the purposes of
award of Pg Diploma or Master’s Degree with Distinction
st
1 attempts only count towards PGT Award (i.e. not the resit GP)
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Impaired Performance
• Where illness or other good cause has impaired performance on an in-course
assessment or an examination, it is not possible for the Examiners to make a
judgement about the extent of the impact
• Where examiners agree illness or other good cause has impacted performance:
i.
If there is evidence that ILOs have been met, and >=75% weighting of
assessments have been completed, an overall grade for the course can be
returned adjusting accordingly for the assessments completed
ii. Where < 75% weighting of assessments has been completed, the
assessment is set aside and the candidate takes the assessment again as a
first sitting
iii. In the case of Borderline Candidates there may exceptionally be situations
where candidates performance has been impaired for a prolonged time
period. In such cases, the examiners may take account of this to
determine final degree classification or postgraduate award.
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Borderline Candidates
Where the overall GPA for the award falls within a borderline zone Examiners should
examine the following criteria to determine final degree classification or postgraduate
award
(i) Median Grade
(ii) Vivas
(iii) Exceptional Circumstances
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Implementation
Implementation Timeline - UG
3 year implementation starting 2014/15 Session
Students are classified according to the Honours classification
system in place when they entered Honours
2014/15:
• all assessments marked using the new CGS scale.
• Final year students grade using existing grade spectrum, Level 3 students
informed of the new classification
2015/16:
• Final Year Students grade using both GPA and Grade Spectrum (no change
to weightings)
• Level 3 students informed of equal weighting of course grade points
2016/17:
• Final Year students classified using new GPA and no weightings
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Implementation Timeline - PGT
2 year implementation starting 2014/15 Session
Students are classified according to the PGT award system in
place when they started their PGT programme
2014/15:
• all assessments marked using the new CGS .
• Jan 2014 PGT starts using existing grade spectrum
• Sep 2014 PGT starts use new scale and new GPA system for award and
progression
2015/16:
• All students use new CGS and GPA system of award and progression
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Questions