HSC marking (1 Viewer)

[sarahabc123]

So our exam papers are marked twice... What if the first marker gives you, let's say 13/15 and the other gives you 11/15 .... What happens then? Would they give you 12/15 or the higher mark?

 

[RealiseNothing]

12

 

[sarahabc123]

12

Okay, thank you

 

[sugartits]

if its either a 3 or 5 mark discrepancy, then they get a third marker (I believe they increased the range due to budget constraints). I'm not too convinced that they just go for the average answer.

 

[cem]

I have been marking the HSC for 20+ years and all written responses of 10 marks or more are double marked. In some subjects questions worth less than 10 are also double marked - at the moment but not necessarily forever.

If the two marks are too far apart they will get a third marker - usually a Senior Marker - to read the response and decide on the final mark, which may or may not be either of the previous two marks but it will be the final mark. Usually, again from over 20 years experience, the SM's mark is very close to one or the other of the previously given marks. If a marker is consistently discrepant - either too hard or too easy - then the SM will go through the marking criteria again with that marker to get them back on track.

In addition there is a regular script sent around called a 'control script' where every marker marks the same script and this also shows up a marker who is out of step with the rest of the centre on that section of the paper.

 

[Spiritual Being]

I have been marking the HSC for 20+ years and all written responses of 10 marks or more are double marked. In some subjects questions worth less than 10 are also double marked - at the moment but not necessarily forever.

If the two marks are too far apart they will get a third marker - usually a Senior Marker - to read the response and decide on the final mark, which may or may not be either of the previous two marks but it will be the final mark. Usually, again from over 20 years experience, the SM's mark is very close to one or the other of the previously given marks. If a marker is consistently discrepant - either too hard or too easy - then the SM will go through the marking criteria again with that marker to get them back on track.

In addition there is a regular script sent around called a 'control script' where every marker marks the same script and this also shows up a marker who is out of step with the rest of the centre on that section of the paper.

Sounds like a fair and thorough process.

A stark contrast to my school.

 

[cem]

Yes - any marker who is consistently too low or too high (and yes there are sometimes one who are too generous) will be picked up and helped to be on standard.

We start out spending the first 6 - 8 hours of actually marking doing practice questions which are aimed at getting everyone onto the right standard for the question and only when we are comfortable that we have the standard in our minds will we start marking for real.

 

[Makematics]

Yes - any marker who is consistently too low or too high (and yes there are sometimes one who are too generous) will be picked up and helped to be on standard.

We start out spending the first 6 - 8 hours of actually marking doing practice questions which are aimed at getting everyone onto the right standard for the question and only when we are comfortable that we have the standard in our minds will we start marking for real.

Hmm sounds like a fair process, but i was told that markers can mark scanned papers from their own homes now. Is this true? And if it is then how can they interact with the SM...

 

[Makematics]

Higher one i reckon

 

[RealiseNothing]

They average the 2 marks.

If the discrepancy is too large that's when the SM is called in.

 

[obliviousninja]

Higher one i reckon

I think it also depends on the difficulty of the paper, the leniency as whether to mark according to the criteria, strictly.

 

[RealiseNothing]

Let's say the first marker gives an essay 17/20 and the second marker gives it 18/20, will they choose the higher one or the lower one?
Also what if marker 1 gives an essay 16/20 and marker 2 gives 19/20...would they still choose one of these marks or are these much too far apart so the paper will be given to the SM for a final mark?

Usually has to be a difference >4.

 

[iBibah]

Usually has to be a difference >4.

We were told its >3 ?

 

[RealiseNothing]

We were told its >3 ?

Maybe, I'm not 100% sure.

 

[cem]

Let's say the first marker gives an essay 17/20 and the second marker gives it 18/20, will they choose the higher one or the lower one?
Also what if marker 1 gives an essay 16/20 and marker 2 gives 19/20...would they still choose one of these marks or are these much too far apart so the paper will be given to the SM for a final mark?

They are able to contact the SM via the phone during normal marking hours - 4.00 - 6.30 and 7.30 - 9.00 and on Saturdays.

 

[cem]

Let's say the first marker gives an essay 17/20 and the second marker gives it 18/20, will they choose the higher one or the lower one?
Also what if marker 1 gives an essay 16/20 and marker 2 gives 19/20...would they still choose one of these marks or are these much too far apart so the paper will be given to the SM for a final mark?

The marks are averaged between the two marks:

First example - 17.5/25
Second example - again 17.5/25


Only when the entire paper is marked and totally will any rounding be done.