Assessment Matters

Clarification of Grade Score Marking for 2011
A2011/011 - 02 Aug 2011

Clarification of Grade Score Marking for 2011

The Level 1 NCEA examinations in 2011 will be marked using a modified form of marking called Grade Score Marking (GSM). This was notified in SecQual circular S2011/015 - 06 Apr 2011, Modified marking system for external assessment – Grade Score Marking. This circular clarifies some points that teachers have raised.

• Students should attempt every question in each examination.
  ALL evidence counts towards the final grade. All question grades are aggregated to give the final grade. Failure to answer every question reduces a student’s total score and therefore chance of success.

• GSM is a different way of working out the sufficiency for a standard.
  Collection of evidence is through sufficiency.
  Sufficiency in grade score marking is established by senior markers using a wide range of marked papers. The standard is used to set the N, A, M, E boundaries. Marked papers are inspected to judge which scores correspond to the A, M or E criteria in the standard.

• GSM does not affect teaching programmes or school marking processes.
  GSM can be used for marking any achievement standard. As the process is new for most teachers and does not need to be used for school-based marking we do not advise that schools move to using GSM this year. This avoids adding another new process to teacher workload. Mock exams can be marked using current sufficiency processes.

• GSM is being used for all standards at NCEA Level 1 assessed by written examination.
  GSM will not be used for standards assessed by portfolio, common assessment tasks or through verification, including; Cook Islands Māori, Mathematics Common Assessment Task (AS91027), Technology, including Design and Visual Communication, or Visual Arts.

• A quick guide to GSM:
  
  • Each question is given a Grade (e.g. M) and a Score (e.g. 6).  This example would be recorded as “M6” beside the question on the answer booklet. 
  • Scores (numbers) are assigned to answers to show they are in the upper or lower part of the grade band. Numbers make it easier when aggregating the grades.
  • The aggregated score is NOT a result. It is a tool used to reach the final grade: N, A, M or E.
  • Sufficiency in grade score marking is assigned by senior markers identifying grade boundaries through consideration of a large number of candidate papers in relation to the standard.

Enquiries

Please refer any enquiries relating to Grade Score Marking and external assessment to the National Assessment Facilitator (NAF) for your subject.

 NAF: External assessment responsibilities: