Coursework Assessment Policy (MPF1199)
RELEVANT LEGISLATION
Statute 11.1 - Courses, Enrolment and Assessment
Regulation 11.1.A3 - Examination Rules and Supervision
SCOPE
This policy applies to assessment in undergraduate and graduate award and non-award
coursework courses and subjects.
POLICY
1.
Principles
1.1
Assessment and grading in subjects will be criterion-referenced and aligned to specific
subject learning outcomes including the graduate attributes and the generic skills they
encompass.
1.2
Assessment will clearly link teaching objectives, content, learning and teaching activities
and learning outcomes at subject level. Assessment and grading in core and compulsory subjects
will also be aligned to course learning outcomes, the graduate attributes and the generic skills
they encompass.
1.3
Assessment criteria will be published with the details of each assessment task.
1.4
Assessment will be designed to accurately measure the knowledge and skills that a
student has obtained up to the point at which the task is completed.
1.5
Assessment will be balanced to provide diagnostic, timely and meaningful formative
feedback, as well as summative judgments about academic performance.
1.6
Assessment and grading will be varied, fair, equitable, inclusive, objective and auditable
and meet the needs of a diverse student population.
1.7
Examinations will be marked anonymously and staff should not be responsible for
assessment of a student with whom they have, or have had, a significant personal relationship, in
accordance with the Equal Opportunity Policy.
1.8
Grading is designed to record and report whether or not students have demonstrated an
overall level of performance that warrants successful completion of a subject and to allow
excellent achievement to be recognised and rewarded.
1.9
Assessment arrangements will ensure that reliable and consistent judgments about
student performance are made.
1.10
Student achievement in individual subjects will be graded in accordance with the
University grading scheme as set out in the Grading Scheme Procedure.
1.11
Assessment will provide opportunities to:
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engage with research;
analyse and synthesise and/or create new information and concepts; and
apply and evaluate information previously presented.
1.12
Assessment is used as a strategy to guide and support student learning, study habits
and patterns of study and care will be taken to induct students into the assessment practices and
culture of higher education.
1.13
Assessment arrangements will ensure that student and staff workloads are considered.
1.14
The Academic Board is responsible for overall quality assurance and continuous quality
improvement in assessment across the University.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
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Equal Opportunity Policy
Coursework Assessment Design and Methods Procedure
Grading Scheme Procedure
Assessment Procedure
DEFINITIONS
Term
Assessment
Definition
means the method of determining- whether a student has passed; or
- whether a student has otherwise satisfied the examiners; or
Award course (award)
Course
Criterion-referenced
assessment
Formative assessment
Examination
Examiner(s)
Grade
Mark
Marking
- the grade to be awarded to a student in a degree course.
A program of study formally approved/accredited by the University which leads to
an academic award granted by the University or which qualifies a student to enter
a course at a level higher than a bachelor's degree.
an award or non-award course
students work is assessed with reference to written criteria derived from explicit
learning outcomes.
monitoring student progress against standards and providing them with feedback
comparing their progress to the standards with a view to helping them to achieve
the standards.
formally supervised assessment including formally supervised written
examinations; written or online tests; oral tests; performances; aural tests; clinical
examinations as part of the Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer or
supplementary/special examination period.
individual(s) designated by the chairperson of the examination board, from those
teaching the subject, as the examiner(s)
a descriptive indicator of a student’s achievement in an assessment task or a unit,
awarded by the examiner(s) as part of a marking process. Grades and
corresponding marks are set out in the Grading Schema procedure. [link]
a numerical indicator of a student’s achievement in an assessment task or a unit,
awarded as by the examiner(s) as part of a marking process. Grades and
corresponding marks are set out in the Grading Schema Procedure [link]
the act of assessing individual assessment components, generating a score and/or
grade, and feedback, as appropriate
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Non-award course
A program of study which does not lead to an award of the University and which
comprises a subject or subject(s) which:
- is from an award course or courses at the University; and
- is able to be counted as credit towards an award course at the University by
students who successfully complete the subject or subjects; or,
- may be used to meet the entry requirements for a course at the University by
students who successfully complete the subject or subjects.
Subject
a unit of academic work in which the student enrols and on completion of which the
student is awarded a grade, such grades appearing on a student’s academic
record.
Summative assessment making judgement about student achievements against explicit standards and
translating that judgement into a grade; used at the end of a subject.
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER
The President of the Academic Board is responsible for the development, compliance monitoring
and review of this policy and any associated guidelines.
IMPLEMENTATION OFFICER
The Academic Secretary is responsible for the promulgation and implementation of this policy in
accordance with the scope outlined above. Enquiries about interpretation of this policy should be
directed to the implementation officer.
REVIEW
This policy is to be reviewed by 28 February 2015.
VERSION HISTORY
Version
Approved By
Approval Date
Effective Date
1
President,
28 September
Academic Board 2012
28 September
2012
Sections Modified
New version arising from the Policy
Simplification Project. Loaded into MPL
as Version 1.
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