T of V
ALLOCATION OF UNIFORM MARKS IN GCSE
(APPLICABLE FROM JUNE 2010)
What is a UMS?
The Uniform Mark Scale (UMS) is used in unitised specifications as a device for reporting, recording and aggregating candidates' unit test performances.
Why do we need the UMS?
In a unitised specification candidates may take units at different stages during the course and may retake units before certification. Each exam paper is unique, and so the difficulty of exams may vary slightly from year to year. Senior examiners take this into account in deciding on the raw marks needed for particular grades. They look at samples of candidates' work from the current year and from previous years, at examiners' reports and statistical data.
For example, in one session 56 raw marks may be required for a grade C, and in the next session (because the paper is more straightforward) the C boundary may be set at 58. The UMS is used so that candidates who achieve the same standard will have the same uniform mark, irrespective of when the unit was taken.
How many uniform marks are there?
Each qualification is allocated a total uniform mark. Typically for GCSE this is 200 for a full course and 100 for a short course. The total uniform mark is split between the units in proportion to their importance (weighting).
For example, in a specification allocated 200 uniform marks which has two equally weighted units, each unit will be allocated 100 uniform marks. However, if one unit carries three times the weight of the other, then the unit with more weighting will be allocated 150 uniform marks and the one with less weighting 50 uniform marks.
How is a raw mark converted to a uniform mark?
The range of uniform mark percentages allocated to a particular grade is the same each year:
A* 90 - 100% of the total uniform marks allocated to the unit
A 80 - 89%
B 70 - 79%
C 60 - 69%
D 50 - 59%
E 40 - 49%
F 30 - 39%
G 20 - 29%
For example, if a unit is allocated a total of
(APPLICABLE FROM JUNE 2010)
What is a UMS?
The Uniform Mark Scale (UMS) is used in unitised specifications as a device for reporting, recording and aggregating candidates' unit test performances.
Why do we need the UMS?
In a unitised specification candidates may take units at different stages during the course and may retake units before certification. Each exam paper is unique, and so the difficulty of exams may vary slightly from year to year. Senior examiners take this into account in deciding on the raw marks needed for particular grades. They look at samples of candidates' work from the current year and from previous years, at examiners' reports and statistical data.
For example, in one session 56 raw marks may be required for a grade C, and in the next session (because the paper is more straightforward) the C boundary may be set at 58. The UMS is used so that candidates who achieve the same standard will have the same uniform mark, irrespective of when the unit was taken.
How many uniform marks are there?
Each qualification is allocated a total uniform mark. Typically for GCSE this is 200 for a full course and 100 for a short course. The total uniform mark is split between the units in proportion to their importance (weighting).
For example, in a specification allocated 200 uniform marks which has two equally weighted units, each unit will be allocated 100 uniform marks. However, if one unit carries three times the weight of the other, then the unit with more weighting will be allocated 150 uniform marks and the one with less weighting 50 uniform marks.
How is a raw mark converted to a uniform mark?
The range of uniform mark percentages allocated to a particular grade is the same each year:
A* 90 - 100% of the total uniform marks allocated to the unit
A 80 - 89%
B 70 - 79%
C 60 - 69%
D 50 - 59%
E 40 - 49%
F 30 - 39%
G 20 - 29%
For example, if a unit is allocated a total of