(1) Assessment is an essential component of education at Western Sydney University. It provides feedback to students on their learning and academic progress, and opportunities to demonstrate that they have achieved the learning outcomes expected for their (2) Assessment at Western Sydney University is conducted using best-practice models in university education, including a criteria and standards-based approach to student assessment requiring that criteria be identified and performance standards described so that students know the level of performance required for each assessment task and understand how their performance will be evaluated. This ensures fairness and reliability in assessment. (3) This policy must be read and understood with reference to the Assessment Guide and the following University policies: (4) The following definitions apply for the purpose of this policy: (5) Assessment at Western Sydney University is: (6) Each (7) (8) (9) The Subject Coordinator (or equivalent; for example, at a third-party provider) is responsible for ensuring that assessment items validly assess the learning outcomes of the (10) The Subject Coordinator (or equivalent) will ensure that the timing and requirements for assessment tasks are clearly communicated to students in the Learning Guide and through the Learning Management System (LMS). Standards and criteria should be described in a rubric/marking scheme, where relevant. (11) The Subject Coordinator (or equivalent) will ensure that the number and nature of assessment tasks and the learning outcomes they relate to are specified in the (12) Schools and other academic units will ensure that (13) Wherever possible, (14) Formative assessments should start occurring early in the (15) Formative assessments should be held in all Level 1 (16) Formative assessments may be either ungraded or have minimal marks allocated. They should neither be mandatory nor threshold, except where the assessment has the additional function of identifying students who will be advised to undertake a more introductory or more advanced (17) Feedback should actively improve student learning by describing to students how to improve the quality of their work. Students should be told clearly when they will be receiving feedback on written assessment tasks. (18) Where possible, assessment tasks should be designed to enable students to apply feedback provided for an earlier task to a later task. This is particularly relevant to Level 1 (19) Academic staff should ensure that feedback on student work, either individually or in a group, provides enough detail to help students identify their strengths and areas for improvement, without discouraging self-reliance in learning and assessment. (20) Feedback on written assessment tasks will normally be provided to students within three weeks of the submission date. An exception will be incorporated for staged assessment tasks whereby all feedback must be provided to students prior to the submission of an assignment that aligns with one that was previously submitted. (21) In providing feedback to students, academic staff are to: (22) Mandatory and threshold assessment tasks should only be assigned if required by accreditation and/or if an academic rationale is approved through the Curriculum Approval process. These assessment tasks should be clearly indicated in the Learning Guide. Schools should progressively review the requirements for each (23) Where a student experiences difficulty in meeting submission deadlines, they can apply for an extension using the Guidelines - Request for Extension or Missed Compulsory Activity (or equivalent) or, for more serious situations where there are extenuating circumstances, resubmit assessment tasks as approved through the Disruption to Studies Policy. (24) A (25) Mixed cohorts can have different assessment tasks, but they must have the same weighting for each cohort, and align with the learning outcomes. (26) (27) Learning Futures staff will provide guidance about conducting assessment tasks through the University's LMS. (28) Schools and other academic units will ensure that a variety of assessment tasks are provided, where appropriate, to recognise the diversity of the students at the University, allowing students the opportunity to complete work in a manner that is meaningful and/or significant to them. Where possible, this should include flexibility of assessment (deliverable) format where student digital literacy and/or other emergent skills can be demonstrated through creative use of media. (29) All assessment tasks, including examinations, must allow reasonable adjustments to reflect students’ Academic Integration Plans (AIPs), as long as the inherent requirements have not been compromised. (30) Early, formative assessment tasks should be included up to the end of week 4 or earlier in all Level 1 (31) Data Integrity, Quality and Operations will administer no more than one formal/invigilated examination per (32) Students have a responsibility to: (33) It is the responsibility of the Dean or relevant Associate Dean, as determined by the Dean, and Deputy Dean with support from Directors of Academic Programs (DAPs), Subject Coordinators and Academic Program Advisors (APAs)(or equivalent), to: (34) All of the elements relating to Grading Rules should be clearly addressed in the Learning Guide, with reminders given in class and through the LMS. Refer to the Guidelines section of this Policy. (35) Marks cannot be given solely for attendance, except if attendance is required (for example, for professional accreditation), in which case it will be recorded but no marks assigned. See Clause (44). Where this is a mandatory assessment task, the minimum required attendance (e.g., 80%, 100%) should be specified as a threshold requirement. (36) Scaling of marks is not permitted, except in accordance with Clause (84). (37) Moderation practices are essential for quality assurance purposes. Moderation must occur before the marks for an assessment task are returned to students and not afterwards. (38) Moderation should ensure that markers develop a shared understanding of the expected standards and apply them consistently. The relevant Associate Dean and Learning Futures staff can give advice about discipline-appropriate moderation practices. (39) Assessment-related decisions that may impact on a students’ progression or graduation must: (40) Before submitting final marks and grades for approval by the School, the Subject Coordinator (or equivalent) must ensure that individual student grades that are one mark below a grade boundary (for example, 49 F or 64 P) have been reviewed to confirm that the criteria and standards have been applied properly, and to determine whether the student has met the (41) Final marks for a (42) Results will only be communicated to students through formal channels, as described in Part F – Official Results. (43) Specific weightings must be used (for example, 25% not 20-25%). (44) Participation in in-class and online activities can be encouraged with a 10% maximum mark. Participation must be more than just attendance (see Clause (35)) and expectations will need to be defined by the Subject Coordinator (or equivalent) and included in the (45) Unless specifically approved through the Curriculum Approval process, the maximum weighting for any assessment item, including a final assessment item, is 50% of the total mark. (46) Level 1 (47) Group work can be marked at no more than 30% of the total mark, unless approved through the Curriculum Approval process. Individual contributions to group work should be recognised if they are differentiated within the project. (48) If a student has a (49) Students may apply for a review of their final grade in a (50) Review of grade applications must be: (51) The University may prescribe a fee for review of grade applications where the student is applying for a passing grade. Any fees will be approved by the Vice-President, People and Advancement and published on the University's website. If a fee is charged for passing grades, it will be refunded if the grade changes. (52) A review of grade application will be rejected where: (53) Students in their final (54) Students will be eligible to apply for a supplementary assessment attempt where they: (55) Supplementary Assessment attempts are not available for threshold assessments. (56) A Summary of the outcomes of any supplementary assessments offered this Policy must be reported to the relevant SAC. (57) Students in end-on Bachelor (Honours) (58) Students will not be eligible for a supplementary assessment where a fail grade for that (59) Students must apply for a supplementary assessment in writing to the Subject Coordinator (or as published to students at results release) within five working days of the official notification of results. One attempt only will be offered to achieve a pass in the supplementary assessment. (60) The supplementary assessment should be designed by the Subject Coordinator (or equivalent) to allow staff to determine as efficiently as possible whether the student has met the desired learning outcomes for the assessment task(s) they have failed. (61) The final grade awarded for the (62) Any variation in the assessment task(s) after assessment information has been provided to students in the Learning Guide, and that affects all students within a (63) Students will be informed of their numerical mark for every component of assessment in the (64) The results of the Final Examination or other assessment task in a (65) All text-based assessment tasks, with the exception of those submitted through a University-sanctioned plagiarism checker, must be accompanied by a completed assignment cover sheet, which includes a student declaration confirming that the task has been undertaken ethically and that the work does not include plagiarism. For information on the processes that follow from allegations of plagiarism, refer to the University's Student Misconduct Rule. (66) Students should collect their marked assessment task(s) with sufficient time to understand why the mark/grade has been awarded and to learn from the feedback provided by the marker. (67) Unclaimed student work for assessment will be retained for a period of one month after the end of the relevant (68) Late submission penalties will be applied at 10% per calendar day up to 10 days, i.e. marks equal to 10% of the assignment’s worth will be deducted as a ‘flat rate’ from the mark awarded for each calendar day the assignment is late up to 10 calendar days. Saturday and Sunday each count as one calendar day. (69) Late assessment tasks will not be accepted after the marked assessment task has been returned to students who submitted the assessment task by the due date. (70) Assessment criteria and standards (rubric or marking scheme) should be provided to all students for each assessment task. If a student does not understand why they achieved their mark/grade for an assessment or how they might have attained a better grade, they can ask to discuss the assessment task with the Subject Coordinator (or equivalent). Students should make this request for discussion no more than five working days after the assessment task has been made available for collection by the student. (71) If the Subject Coordinator (or equivalent) agrees that the assessment requires re- or cross-marking because the original marker did not properly apply the criteria and standards applicable to the assessment, the re-mark should be undertaken by the Subject Coordinator (or equivalent) or another appropriately experienced academic. Where a re-mark is undertaken, all comments from the previous marking should be removed before the assessment is re-marked, or where possible, a copy of the original submitted assessment task should be provided. Where the assessment task has a performance, practical or clinical skills component, the matter should be referred to the relevant DAP for review and to plan action. Marks should never be added unless there is a re-mark undertaken on proper grounds. (72) If the Subject Coordinator (or equivalent) does not agree at the end of the meeting with the student that a re-mark is justified, the student will be advised that the assessment task will not be re-marked. The student should be made aware of the provisions for a Review of Grade at the end of the (73) The outcome of the discussion with the student will be recorded as per the University's Curriculum Advice to Students Procedures. (74) Final grades and marks in a (75) Marks will be provided to the OSUP by Schools and will be recorded into the Student Management System (SMS). Official results will be released at the direction of the Director, Data Integrity, Quality and Operations after being approved by SACs. (76) Where a result has not been finalised within the timeframe, Schools will: (77) If a change of final grade is required after approval of the results for a (78) Except for any unfinalised grades that have been approved to remain outstanding by the Dean or Deputy Dean, the OSUP will apply an FNS Grade for all teaching periods after the Autumn/1H and Spring/2H relevant census dates. (79) Students will be advised by Data Integrity, Quality and Operations in the Office of Student and University Planning of final grades for a subject and subsequent changes of final grades for a (80) For grades in Table A of the Table of Grades, marks will be recorded on the SMS and provided to students by Data Integrity, Quality and Operations in the Office of Student and University Planning. Marks and grades may be viewed by accessing the results notice online and on official transcripts. (81) Online results notices and official transcripts will only have marks for (82) Subject Coordinators (or equivalent) may be asked to justify final grades allocated to a cohort. (83) If a significant number of students in a cohort receive extremely high or extremely low or bunched grades, or if there are significant inconsistencies between groups undertaking the (84) Where it appears that criteria and standards may not have been properly applied, the SAC will ask the Deputy Dean or nominee to investigate the matter in consultation with the Subject Coordinator and DAP (or equivalent). Re-marking of assessment tasks or adjustment of marks may be undertaken in these exceptional circumstances, and the Subject Coordinator (or equivalent) will be advised of the outcome. It may be necessary for some or all of the results for the whole (85) Following (86) Refer to the Assessment Procedures - Review of Grade. (87) An Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement, which incorporates academic transcript details, will be provided to students at the time of graduation. (88) An academic transcript may also be requested on payment of a fee. If the student is identified as eligible and approved to graduate, this will be noted on the transcript. Refer to the Academic transcript/record webpage. (89) Related Guidelines are:Assessment Policy
Section 1 - Purpose and Context
Top of PageSection 2 - Definitions
Top of Page
Section 3 - Policy Statement
Part A - Responsibility of Academic Staff
Clear Expectations
Curriculum Design for Student Success
Varied Deliverables
Equity, Diversity and Student Support
Administration
Part B - Responsibility of Students
Part C - Responsibility of Deans and Deputy Deans
Part D - Grading Rules
Weighting of Assessments
Grade Tables
Table A, Final grades receiving a mark (0-100%)
Grade (Notation)
Percentage or Descriptor
H
High Distinction
85 - 100
D
Distinction
75 - 84
C
Credit
65 - 74
P
Pass
50 - 64
F
Fail
0 - 49
CF
Compulsory Fail
Student has failed a threshold requirement of the
FNS
Fail Non Submission
Student has not officially withdrawn but has not submitted an attempt at one or more of the mandatory assessment requirements for the
IH
High Distinction
85 – 100
Awarded to students who achieve a High Distinction in a preparatory subject offered by The College.
ID
Distinction
75 – 84
Awarded to students who achieve a Distinction in a preparatory subject offered by The College.
IC
Credit
65 – 74
Awarded to students who achieve a Credit in a preparatory subject offered by The College.
IP
Pass
50 – 64
Awarded to students who achieve a Pass in a preparatory subject offered by The College.
IF
IFNS
Table B, Ungraded assessments/subject (including for students in official and approved exchange programs)
Grade (Notation)
Percentage or Descriptor
S
Satisfactory
Student has met standards at an appropriate level within a specific time. (Only used for ungraded assessments and for
U
Unsatisfactory
Student has not met defined standards at an appropriate level within a specified time. (Only used for ungraded assessments and for
PF
Practicum Fail
Student has failed to satisfy standards for practicum assessment and will not progress further in the
Note: Special approval is needed to award this grade which may lead to exclusion and Schools should follow the prescribed process and record keeping requirements. Refer to the Guidelines section of this Policy.
Students who have been awarded a Practicum Fail (PF) grade for a Table C, Administrative grades (applied by Data Integrity, Quality and Operations staff on advice from the School or Director, Data Integrity, Quality and Operations)
Grade (Notation)
Percentage or Descriptor
E
Fail Discontinued
A student has withdrawn from the
Z
Aegrotat Pass
Awarded by Academic Senate on compassionate grounds because of permanent inability to complete the subject. Note: Special approval is needed to award this grade in accordance with the Posthumous Awards and Aegrotat Grades Policy.
W
Table D, Foundation Studies and Undergraduate Preparation Programs Grading Schema*
Grade
Full Grade Name
Percentage
Grade Points
Pass/Fail
Included in
GPA Calculation
Y/N
A
85-100
10
P
Y
B
Very Good Pass
70-84
8
P
Y
C+
Good Pass
60-69
7
P
Y
C
Satisfactory Pass
50-59
6
P
Y
D
Moderate Pass
40-49
4
P
Y
E
Marginal Fail
30-39
2
F
Y
F
Fail
0-29
0
F
Y
CF
Compulsory Fail
0
F
Y
W
Withdrawn (Without Academic Penalty)
WITHDRAWN
N
FNS
Fail Non Submission
0
F
Y
FD
Fail Discontinue
F
Y
Z
Aegrotat Pass
P
Y
X
Removed
WITHDRAWN
N
Part E - Review of Grade
Section 4 - Procedures
Supplementary Assessments
Notification to Students of Assessment Tasks, Due Dates and Feedback
Submission and Collection of Assessment Materials
Late Submission of Assessments
Part F - Circumstances for Consideration of the Re-marking of an Assessment Task
Part G - Official Results
Notification of a Final Grade and Provision of Marks to a Student
Circumstances when all Grades in a Subject may be Reviewed
Reporting to Senate Assessment Committee
Review of Grade
Part H - Academic Transcripts
Section 5 - Guidelines
View Current
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Fail
0 – 49
Grade in a preparatory subject offered by The College.
Fail Non-Submission
Student has not officially withdrawn but has not submitted an attempt at one or more of the mandatory assessment requirements for a preparatory subject offered by The College.
Withdrawn (Without Academic Penalty)
A student has provided evidence of serious illness or misadventure experienced after the relevant census date.
Excellent Pass
* These grades are not used for subjects in the first term of the Three Term University Foundation Studies Program (WSTP) where Table B grades are used.