Raw Marks (1 Viewer)

[meLoncoLLie]

Aligning and scaling are different processes.

When we talk about the cut off for band 6 being close to 90/120 (for 2u maths), we mean that a raw mark of 90/120 gets aligned to a band 6 (90/100). But then the raw mark is taken by the UAC and scaled - that 'scaled' mark is the one that has effect on your UAI.

So the 'scaling' for each subject has no effect on your aligned HSC mark.

 

[Casmira]

So the 'scaling' for each subject has no effect on your aligned HSC mark.

now thats something i never knew of !

 

[paper cup]

Aligning and scaling are different processes.

When we talk about the cut off for band 6 being close to 90/120 (for 2u maths), we mean that a raw mark of 90/120 gets aligned to a band 6 (90/100). But then the raw mark is taken by the UAC and scaled - that 'scaled' mark is the one that has effect on your UAI.

So the 'scaling' for each subject has no effect on your aligned HSC mark.

yeah I suck at this stuff. substitute aligning for scaling in my above post. anyone want to help me?

 

[~ ReNcH ~]

yeah I suck at this stuff. substitute aligning for scaling in my above post. anyone want to help me?

Aligning:
- determines the raw mark required to attain a certain Band: this is performed according to a set of standards published by BOS, which may be accessed by students (though I can't rmember exactly where, possibly in each subject's syllabus)
- is set by an aligning committee from BOS
- is different for every subject
- changes every year

Scaling:
- accounts for the quality of the candidature in each course i.e. some courses will comprise of better able students, and others of less able students
- is performed by UAC for the determination of the UAI
- has no correlation to aligning whatsoever

Aligned marks are comparable within different subjects between different years, but not between different subjects.
Scaled marks are comparable between and within different subjects and between and within different years.

 

[meLoncoLLie]

Aligning:
- determines the raw mark required to attain a certain Band: this is performed according to a set of standards published by BOS, which may be accessed by students (though I can't rmember exactly where, possibly in each subject's syllabus)

Is that the performance band description? They give a list of skills that a typical student from a certain band would demonstrate - but it's very unclear I mean, I don't really know their standard for 'soundly' and 'comprehensively' etc

 

[~ ReNcH ~]

Is that the performance band description? They give a list of skills that a typical student from a certain band would demonstrate - but it's very unclear I mean, I don't really know their standard for 'soundly' and 'comprehensively' etc

Yep. They're the standards that they use to determine the cut-offs. Don't worry if you don't understand the descriptors. Words such as "soundly" and "comprehensively" are very subjective, though I would imagine that the aligning committee has a set perception of what each means. It's difficult to gauge your ability using the descriptors because of the subjectivity of the words used, but generally you can "feel" what you're capable of.

 

[paper cup]

Yep. They're the standards that they use to determine the cut-offs. Don't worry if you don't understand the descriptors. Words such as "soundly" and "comprehensively" are very subjective, though I would imagine that the aligning committee has a set perception of what each means. It's difficult to gauge your ability using the descriptors because of the subjectivity of the words used, but generally you can "feel" what you're capable of.

Yes I know what aligning and scaling are, it was a mistake borne of carelessness and too much coffee, do you know what sort of raw mark you would need to get a band 6 as your overall HSC mark. I.e. if 86 for internal and x for external, what would x have to be - rough estimate will do.

 

[~ ReNcH ~]

I would guess that a raw exam mark of ~78/100 in Chemistry would get you a Band 6, but I can't be sure that that's even an accurate estimate. Though, I think it's likely that the cut-off would fall around the high 70s to low 80s...not too much less anyway.

Btw. I didn't mean to patronise you or anything in that previous post of mine. What I post is more for the benefit of other BoSers reading it who may be confused by the processes that occur.

 

[Captain pi]

Not only do we have little knowledge about what raw mark constitutes a specific aligned mark, we are also unsure about what specific work is needed to accrue specific raw mark.

Therefore, you cannot accurately predict raw marks, let alone aligned marks.

Board: prepare to get FOI'd.

 

[~ ReNcH ~]

Not only do we have little knowledge about what raw mark constitutes a specific aligned mark, we are also unsure about what specific work is needed to accrue specific raw mark.

Therefore, you cannot accurately predict raw marks, let alone aligned marks.

Board: prepare to get FOI'd.

It's a pity that they've made FOI applications so difficult now. I don't know if I'm prepared to spend $100+ in legal fees to get access to my raw marks...$30 is fine though.

I think it's possible to estimate the kind of work required to get a particular raw mark in a specific exam, given that marking criteria are published. Having a look through the 2001 and 2002 Standards Package would provide a good indication of the level of depth required for each question and more importantly, for each verb. Nevertheless, there's no aligning data available so that renders any raw mark estimates virtually useless.

 

[paper cup]

I would guess that a raw exam mark of ~78/100 in Chemistry would get you a Band 6, but I can't be sure that that's even an accurate estimate. Though, I think it's likely that the cut-off would fall around the high 70s to low 80s...not too much less anyway.

Btw. I didn't mean to patronise you or anything in that previous post of mine. What I post is more for the benefit of other BoSers reading it who may be confused by the processes that occur.

Thanks . But if I do get the marks for a band 6 externally will my internal mark be bumped up via moderating?
My school doesn't align for some reason. I disagree with that. :/

 

[~ ReNcH ~]

Thanks . But if I do get the marks for a band 6 externally will my internal mark be bumped up via moderating?

In the end, your moderated mark will depend on your ranking and the performance of the other students in your class in the HSC exam. So there's no real way to guess whether your mark will go up or down after moderating.

My school doesn't align for some reason. I disagree with that. :/

At my school, the only marks that are aligned internally are the 3U and 4U marks since reporting our raw marks would be misleading. It looks good on your report but it doesn't really do anything to your HSC results.