D. Procedures for marking Exam scripts,

and for the recording and reporting of marks

This section summarises procedures for marking examination scripts and processing marks.

1. Anonymous marking

When you receive script packets you will find that on each script, a corner of the front page has been turned over and stuck down, obscuring the candidate's name. The corner must not be turned back until marking and checking have been completed. There are more details below.

2. Marking

You should prepare a detailed marking scheme. The marks for each question should be clearly indicated inside the script, including marks for different parts where appropriate. It is good practice to indicate that parts of the script have been seen and marked, for example by drawing a red line alongside or through marked work for a question with a ringed total at the end. The mark for each question should be written on the front page of the first answer book with some indication of marks which are ignored in the total by virtue of the rubric.

3. Checking

The checker is responsible for checking that all parts of each script have been marked with all marks correctly entered on the front page and with the correct total. Any errors or ambiguities should be reported to the starred examiner who should make any corrections.

4. Tabulation of Marks

At this point the corner of the front pages should be turned back to reveal the candidates' names. The examination marks should be scaled as instructed in Section F and combined with scaled ICA/Project/Test marks to give the final return marks. A word of caution: you may find that students have turned up for an exam labelled MAS2xy rather than the one labelled MAS6xy, or vice-versa. In this situation the candidates' list from one exam will have the student marked as absent, while the other list will include the student listed as an additional candidate. Please indicate on each list that the candidate turned up to the wrong room and initial the comment. Then move the script to the correct pile. Please seek advice from OHK if a candidate has turned for the wrong paper (e.g., MAS266 instead of MAS666, or MAS121 instead of MAS221).

For courses covering two Semesters, the starred examiner for the second Semester is responsible for ensuring that the list of marks includes the marks for each Semester as well as the overall marks. I should stress that the database will not calculate the average of Semester 1 and Semester 2 marks - this will be up to the starred examiner; please note the rules for averaging, given in Section C2. The standard courses covering two Semesters (with two exams) are: MAS003, MAS102, MAS111, MAS121, MAS131, MAS211, MAS221, MAS231. Please consult me if you would like a Semester 1 mark list in Excel format.

5. Reporting marks

(A) The starred marker should pass an alphabetical list of final marks to Jill to be entered on the database. The list should contain surnames and (at least) initials, together with student numbers (in rare cases a student number might be unavailable). The blank alphabetical candidates list enclosed in the script packet is a suitable list on which to write marks. It is important that a mark or an absence (abs - lower case) is reported for every candidate on the candidates list. Please make life easy for Jill, do give her a list of names with one mark for each name, do not give her a riddle to solve. Please do not deposit a script packet on Jill's desk and expect her to guess that you have left a mark list for her somewhere in the packet, just leave the mark list on her desk.

Jill will pass back to you a printout of the marks for your module. You should check that all the marks (including "abs") have been correctly entered. If corrections are necessary you should annotate Jackie's list and return it to her. She will make the corrections and print out a new list for you. When you have a correct list please: enter the scaling details and rationale in the boxes provided; initial the list to certify that it is correct; take a copy of this list for the script packet; and return the list to Jackie who will file it. Please do not ask Jill to make further changes to your marks. If amendments become necessary, take them to Graeme.

(B) A mark breakdown, student by student, will be required for all modules.

For each module (and for each Semester if a module is examined twice) mark lists should be prepared that

• list all candidates on the official University list in alphabetical order
• contain raw and scaled marks for each form of assessment for each candidate
• final return mark.

The lists may be hand-written, typed or computer-generated.

For Stage 0 and 1 modules it is sufficient to give just the scaled ICA marks, although details of scaling must be recorded.

6. Script packets

The scripts should be placed in one or more packets with the scripts in alphabetical order (it is difficult to find scripts later otherwise). In the first packet you should enclose: two copies of the examination paper; a copy of the solutions together with a marking scheme; sample ICA photocopies (unless other arrangements have been agreed by the School); all original projects; all original test scripts; copies of mark lists (one list from Jill with your scaling and rationale, as in 5(A), another list as in 5(B) if possible); the candidates' list from the examination room (the list used by the invigilators to indicate presence or absence of each candidate).

The script packets should be given to Jill clearly labelled with MAS…, Semester 1 (or 2) 2001/2002 (or August 2002) and with name ranges if necessary. When you are asked to give mark lists to Jill, these will be in addition to material required in script packets - please do not expect Jackie to look in script packets for mark lists.

7. Computer Processing of Marks

All academic staff members are registered with the University's Data Protection Officer, in compliance with the Data Protection Act. Thus examiners are permitted to process marks on a computer provided that marks are not

(a) entered more than 40 days before the agreed return marks (provisional or otherwise) are released to students;

(b) held on the computer's hard disc, a network drive or a floppy disc, for more than 40 days.

You are strongly advised to verify the accuracy of any numerical routines that you choose to adopt.

Please observe the security requirements outlined in Section B.

8. Disclosure of marks

Marks will be disclosed to all students in the University-preferred manner : confidentially; no mark lists will be posted. For students registered for one of our degrees, a transcript of results will be prepared and given to each student.

Semester 1 : All marks, whether for a completed module or not, are provisional and therefore subject to modification by the Board of Examiners when it meets in June.

Semester 2 : The only marks which are to be disclosed at the end of the year are the final return marks for each module. In addition, deemed passes on failed modules must also be declared.