• Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
• Section 2 - Process and Key Controls
• Section 3 - Key Requirements
• Part A - Design and Delivery of Assessment
• Program-level Considerations
• Course-level Considerations
• Group Work
• Assessment Integrity
• Reasonable Adjustments to Assessment
• Timing and Scheduling of Assessment
• Part B - Communication of Assessment Requirements
• Part C - Submission of Assessment
• General
• Penalties for Late Submission
• Part D - Extensions to Assessment Due Date
• General
• Application
• Grounds for Extensions
• Medical Reasons
• Student Access Plan
• Exceptional Circumstances
• Unacceptable Grounds
• Approval
• Part E - Provision of Feedback on Assessment
• Part F - Assessment Judgements
• The Basis of Judgements
• Moderation
• Avoidance of Bias and Conflicts of Interest
• Documentation of Assessment Judgements
• The Method of Representing and Aggregating Results
• Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades
• Part G - Assessment Re-mark
• General
• Grounds for Consideration
• Applications for Assessment Re-mark
• Approval of Assessment Re-mark
• Conducting a Re-mark
• Part H - Grading System
• Numeric Grade Descriptors
• Grade Descriptors for Non-graded Pass and Fail
• Grade Descriptors for Supplementary Assessment
• Other Grade Descriptors
• Part I - Finalisation of Grades
• Certification and Release of Final Grades
• Amendments to Grades
• Non-finalised and Incomplete Grades
• Part J - Supplementary Assessment
• Overview
• Determining Appropriate Supplementary Assessment
• Eligibility and Approval of Supplementary Assessment
• Application for Supplementary Assessment
• Timing of Supplementary Assessment
• Finalisation of Grades for Supplementary Assessment
• Part K - Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement
• Processes for Monitoring the Effectiveness and Security of Assessment
• Chief Examiners
• Audit of Grade Changes
• Institutional Support for Assessment
• Section 4 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities
• Section 5 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance
• Section 6 - Recording and Reporting
• Section 7 - Appendix
• Appendix 1 – Recording of Oral and Practical Assessment for Re-mark Purposes
• Appendix 2 – Definitions, Terms and Acronyms

Section 1 - Purpose and Scope

(1) This Procedure sets out the principles and requirements for coursework studies at the University for:

1. the design and management of summative assessment;
2. submission of assessment and extensions to due dates;
3. assessment re-mark;
4. finalisation of grades; and
5. supplementary assessment.

(2) This Procedure applies to all students, and academic and professional staff with responsibility for teaching and/or administration of coursework studies at UQ.

(3) For design and management of examinations, this Procedure is to be read in conjunction with the Examinations Procedure.

(4) Details of the University's assessment policies and procedures for higher degree by research candidates, including the Higher Degree by Research Examination Policy suite, are included in the Associated Information tab.

Section 2 - Process and Key Controls

(5) All assessment at UQ must be designed and implemented in accordance with the principles set out in the Assessment Policy and the requirements set out in this Procedure.

(6) The final grade for a course must use the University’s Grading System (see ‘Part H – Grading System’ provisions and Appendix 1).

(7) All aspects of assessment including design, delivery, and outcomes must be regularly monitored and reviewed (see ‘Part K – Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement’ provisions).

(8) Under specific conditions (detailed in ‘Part G – Assessment Re-mark’ provisions) students may apply for reconsideration of a mark or grade awarded for an item of assessment.

(9) Students may pursue assessment-related grievances in accordance with the Student Grievance Resolution Policy.

Section 3 - Key Requirements

Part A - Design and Delivery of Assessment

Program-level Considerations

(10) Assessment must provide systematic opportunities for students to demonstrate progress towards, or achievement of, program-level learning outcomes, including development of professional standards, where appropriate.

(11) Assessment must be mapped to and aligned with program and/or plan-level learning outcomes or, in the case of programs with multiple pathways, mapping is to be based on core courses.

(12) Where feasible, and where there is cohort of students undertaking the same courses, course assessment is designed and scheduled to avoid conflicting submission dates.

(13) A substantial portion of the assessment in any program or plan must be subject to identity verification.

Course-level Considerations

(14) Assessment must be designed to be high quality and evidence-based, and generate valid evidence of learning through:

1. the use of criterion-referenced assessment which makes explicit the relationships among assessment items, learning outcomes, the criteria used as the basis of assessment judgements, and the final grades associated with different levels or standards of performance;
2. a focus on the quality of learning outcomes (for example, the quality of tutorial participation or contribution to a group outcome). Attendance, as distinct from attendance and participation, must not contribute to a grade; and
3. the use of a combination of two or more assessment items (or a multi-component, staged item such as a thesis or a project) which reflect the range and complexity of the learning outcomes. No single assessment item, including assessment sequences but excluding project-based assessments and theses, may contribute more than 60% to the final grade.

(15) Unless it is a pass/fail hurdle requirement, assessment must provide the opportunity to demonstrate a range of competencies in learning from minimum standards to learning of the highest standard.

(16) The work associated with course assessment should be commensurate with the course’s unit value (i.e. a 2-unit course should require students to complete 130-150 learning hours including the time required for assessment purposes). The weightings of assessment items within a course should be commensurate with the importance of the learning outcomes.

(17) In designing and conducting assessment, teaching staff must give due regard to assessment integrity and security to minimise the possibility of undetected academic misconduct. Guidelines are available for Course Coordinators.

(18) Assessment items must be designed such that memorisation or reproduction of answers to previous assessment items will not result in a passing grade.

(19) Up to four summative assessment items may be set for courses worth 2 units, one of which may be an assessment sequence that is collectively worth a minimum of 10% or equivalent. The Associate Dean (Academic) may permit additional summative assessment items, including an additional sequence, if there are sound pedagogical reasons to do so.

(20) Assessment is designed in accordance with the availability and appropriate allocation of resources for the course.

(21) Course Coordinators must specify criteria and standards for each assessment item. These should be aligned with the generic grade descriptors (see ‘Part H – Grading System’ provisions) where appropriate.

(22) Only learning activities and/or assessment items completed during the study period of enrolment, including any approved extensions, may contribute to the student’s grade in that course. The whole or partial use of assessment items previously submitted for the same course, for a course at any institution, or for published material, is not permitted without written permission of the Course Coordinator.

(23) Grades for a course must be awarded using the grade descriptors set out in ‘Part H – Grading System’ provisions.

Group Work

(24) Group assessment can only be used in a course if:

1. group work is specified as a learning outcome in the course profile;
2. students have had the opportunity to learn how to work effectively in teams / groups by way of specific training within the course, in a prerequisite course, or in an online module; and
3. Course Coordinators provide students with resources and support within the course to enable management of situations where individual students or teams require additional support. Directions to these resources and support must be provided in the learning management system.

(25) The Group Work Guideline is available to Course Coordinators.

Assessment Integrity

(26) Assessment tasks will be designed to ensure that they are completed by the student who receives credit for them. This includes reducing the ability and temptation to engage in academic misconduct and verifying students’ identity where practicable. Guidelines on designing assessment for academic integrity are available to Course Coordinators.

(27) Security, in terms of academic integrity, will be assessed on a program and/or plan basis through the academic program review process, or as necessary due to changes in assessment practice or technology (for example, detection tools, artificial intelligence, etc.). Guidelines on assessing the security of a course or program are available to Course Coordinators.

(28) Situations where cheating is likely to occur will be identified and addressed. Guidelines on designing assessment to preclude cheating, including providing support for students, are available to Course Coordinators.

(29) Academic misconduct should be reported per the Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy.

Reasonable Adjustments to Assessment

(30) A reasonable adjustment or change to assessment may be made in specified circumstances to ensure all students are able to participate equitably in the assessment for a course.

(31) Requests for reasonable adjustments must be made per the Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy.

(32) Reasonable adjustments must maintain the essential learning outcomes for the course or program.

Timing and Scheduling of Assessment

(33) Assessment items must be spread appropriately across the teaching period.

(34) All assessment items must be due during a scheduled class or at a pre-advised time between 1pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

(35) Despite clause 34, the Associate Dean (Academic), or the Deputy Associate Dean (Academic), may approve a variation to the due time for assessment if the Course Coordinator presents compelling grounds for submission outside of 1pm to 5pm.

(36) Assessment must not be held or due during a revision period.

(37) Examinations must not be held on a Sunday or public holiday.

(38) Despite clause 37, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) may permit a variation to scheduling when they consider there are exceptional circumstances.

Part B - Communication of Assessment Requirements

(39) The course profile for each course must include, or specify the location of, all required information about assessment for that course, including but not limited to:

1. a description of the assessment, including marking criteria, standards, and due dates for each assessment item;
2. the method of weighting and aggregating individual pieces of assessment, any hurdle requirements, and the method used to determine a final grade;
3. whether the assessment item is eligible for an extension request, and/ or supplementary assessment;
4. late submission penalties;
5. the way in which generative artificial intelligence may be used;
6. in the case of oral or practical assessment items, whether the items will be recorded; and
7. the format of any examination, including permitted materials and equipment per the Examinations Procedure.

(40) The Learning Management System for each course must include a link to the appropriate page in the course profile for each piece of assessment.

(41) Students must take responsibility in relation to assessment information (for example, late submission of assessment) as listed in the course profile and in related policies and procedures.

(42) Course Coordinators must not alter the structure of assessment after the assessment lockdown date, which is five days after the start of the relevant teaching period for the course. Any changes after the lockdown date must be approved by the Associate Dean (Academic) who may consult with the Academic Registrar.

(43) All changes must be communicated to students promptly via email or an announcement on the Learning Management System. Course profiles must be updated to reflect the change.

Part C - Submission of Assessment

General

(44) All summative assessment items should be submitted electronically through the University's Learning Management System, except where it is not practical (for example, assessment completed during scheduled classes, written examinations, physical artefact submission, and performance-based assessment).

(45) Selection of an electronic submission method should allow authoritative proof of the date and time of submission and enable text matching (for example, providing a Turnitin similarity report) to enhance the security of assessment.

(46) Where assignments are submitted through text-matching software (for example, Turnitin), students must have the opportunity to submit a draft assignment to the software and review the similarity report prior to submission of the final assignment.

(47) Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (for example, screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).

Penalties for Late Submission

(48) The following penalties apply to late submission of an assessment item, assuming that an extension has not been approved (see ‘Part D – Extensions to Assessment Due Date’ provisions) and that late submission is academically possible (for example, it does not delay feedback to a cohort, or interfere with course delivery).

(49) An alternative penalty or time period may be set provided it is approved by the Associate Dean (Academic) or the Deputy Associate Dean (Academic) as academically justified, inclusive of diverse student needs, and communicated in the course profile.

Part D - Extensions to Assessment Due Date

General

(50) This section applies to assessment items that have a specified due date for submission as set out in the course profile. It does not apply to examinations held during scheduled classes, in-semester Saturday, end of semester examination period or deferred examination periods (Examinations Procedure) even though these have specified due dates.

(51) A student may apply for an extension if they are unable to meet an assessment deadline due to extenuating circumstances (see ‘Grounds for Extensions’ provisions, clauses 59-70).

(52) Extensions for group work assessment may be available and will require a single request submitted per the ‘Application’ provisions (clauses 56-58) with agreement from at least 50% of the members of the group, and recognition of potential impacts on the other group members. Student Access Plans for an individual student do not guarantee an extension for the assessment item.

(53) An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered, must not exceed four weeks in total. Where a student is incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, they might be advised to apply for removal of course. See clause 72 (under ‘Approval’ provisions, clauses 71-73, below) for an exception.

(54) Where the maximum extension limit for an assessment item is less than four weeks, it must be pedagogically justifiable, and explicitly stated in the course profile.

(55) Provided it is feasible for the assessment item to be submitted (for example, an electronically submitted item), an extension granted to a student will not exceed the number of days stated on the supporting documentation.

Application

(56) A request for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through my.UQ as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission due date and time.

(57) A request for an extension to an assessment due date must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request (see ‘Grounds for Extensions’ provisions, clauses 59-70). A scanned image or copy of the supporting documentation is acceptable.

(58) Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date and time (per clause 56), must include evidence of the reason for the late request, and will require the decision maker listed in the Decision-Maker Tables in the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure to accept the request for consideration.

Grounds for Extensions

(59) A student may be eligible for an extension to the assessment due date on the grounds outlined in the Table of Acceptable Reasons and Evidence for Extensions to Assessment.

Medical Reasons

(60) Requests for extensions to assessment due dates based on medical grounds must include supporting documentation obtained on or before the assessment item due date, and provided by:

1. a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse; or
2. a registered pharmacist, obtained on the assessment item submission due date, noting that this may only be for that one day; or
3. a statement from a counsellor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

(61) Despite clause 60, under exceptional circumstances (for example, a period of hospitalisation or an evidenced inability to attend a medical appointment), and only where sufficient explanation and evidence is provided, documentation obtained after the submission due date may be accepted.

(62) Documentation must not be provided by a near relative or close associate of the student.

(63) The University reserves the right to check the validity of the documentation.

Student Access Plan

(64) Students with Student Access Plans are required to apply for an extension per the ‘Application’ provisions (clauses 56-58).

(65) The Student Access Plan must clearly state any provisions for extensions to assessment due dates.

Exceptional Circumstances

(66) The University considers an exceptional circumstance to:

1. be a serious personal circumstance that is out of the control of the student, and that the student could not reasonably have prevented or accommodated;
2. have had a significant and demonstrably negative effect on the student’s ability to study or undertake an assessment; and
3. additionally, the timing of the circumstances must be directly relevant to the affected assessments and/or period of study.

(67) If a request for extension is based on exceptional circumstances, all elements of clause 66 must be evidenced with supporting documentation or information.

(68) Acceptable exceptional circumstances can be found in the Table of Acceptable Reasons and Evidence for Extensions to Assessment.

Unacceptable Grounds

(69) The following are not grounds for an extension, including but not limited to:

1. computer or internet problems;
2. holiday arrangements;
3. misreading an assignment due date or time;
4. unexpected events causing the loss of a few hours of study time close to the due date;
5. difficulty studying effectively or adjusting to the demands of university life;
6. visa or financial problems;
7. everyday levels of stress and/or anxiety associated with employment and/or studying; or
8. ordinary family events or commitments.

(70) Dysfunctional group dynamics, poor performance by individual group members, or illness or other issues of a group member are generally not considered sufficient grounds for an extension on submission of a group assessment item. These issues should be actively managed by the group and the Course Coordinator as appropriate, during semester.

Approval

(71) The Course Coordinator or delegate has responsibility to assess an extension request against the criteria and may:

1. grant an extension to a timescale that is commensurate with the extenuating circumstances and is not unfair to other students in the course (for example, the extension would delay feedback to the course cohort), or
2. determine the student is ineligible and deny the request.

(72) Despite clause 53 (under ‘General’ provisions, clauses 50-55, above), in exceptional circumstances, the Associate Dean (Academic) or the Deputy Associate Dean (Academic) may approve an extension beyond four weeks with appropriate pedagogical rationale.

(73) Students may appeal the outcome of an extension request though the grievance process.

Part E - Provision of Feedback on Assessment

(74) In addition to the mark or grade awarded, feedback must be promptly provided on all assessment items, including examinations, to enable students to apply the feedback to further items within the course or program and/or plan, supplementary assessment, requests for re-mark, or re-enrolment. The form of feedback provided must be appropriate to the item’s weighting, timing, and context, and with reference to criteria and standards.

(75) Where possible, directed and early formative feedback, to provide students with a sense of progress on their learning to enable them to attempt summative assessment in the course, should be provided prior to Census date.

(76) A student may request further detailed feedback about their performance on an assessment item by lodging a written request with the Course Coordinator. The Course Coordinator will arrange for the feedback to be provided to the student in a timely manner, typically within 14 calendar days.

Part F - Assessment Judgements

The Basis of Judgements

(77) Assessment judgements must:

1. be made with reference to criteria and standards; and
2. reflect the quality of the student’s performance.

(78) Where more than one marker is used for a particular assessment item, agreement must be achieved:

1. prior to marking about the intention of each standard’s wording and how the standards will be applied to submitted work; and
2. post marking to ensure the application of standards to assessed work is consistent.

(79) Negative marking (that is, the practice of awarding negative marks for providing incorrect answers, including for multiple-choice questions or formula marking to correct for guessing) is not permitted.

(80) All submissions must be reviewed and allocated a mark or grade in line with assessment criteria. For example:

1. A submission must be marked even if it does not comply with a particular formatting requirement (for example, if a different reference style is used to that specified). The content of the submission must be assessed, and the element of non-compliance marked through a separate criterion.
2. If a submission is missing a particular section, that section should receive a mark of zero or equivalent, and the other sections should be marked according to the specified criteria.
3. If a submission exceeds the specified word limit, the content of the submission must be assessed and the element of non-compliance marked through a separate criterion, and/or the assessment marked up to the specified word limit.

(81) Clause 80 does not apply where the format in which the assessment has been submitted precludes marking (for example, a hard copy of software code that cannot be run).

Moderation

(82) Moderation is an important part of quality assurance at all stages of assessment. It should enable equitable outcomes for students in a timely manner.

(83) Moderation is the responsibility of the Course Coordinator.

(84) Moderation must be conducted with reference to criteria and standards to ensure consistency of judgements about the work of:

1. students within a course;
2. students in different classes or groups within a single course;
3. students within a course with different markers;
4. students within a course whose work has been peer-assessed or self-assessed; and
5. students taking the same course in different semesters or years (see ‘Part K – Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement’ provisions).

(85) Moderation by more than one staff member within a course may involve discussion of the way the standards have been applied to assessed work, and/or review of the application of standards prior to marking.

Avoidance of Bias and Conflicts of Interest

(86) Anonymous marking is undertaken where feasible.

(87) When a near relative or close associate is enrolled in a course for which a staff member is involved in the assessment:

1. the staff member is not to participate in the marking of assessment or the determination of a final grade, and must inform their supervisor (for example, Head of School, Executive Dean) of the potential conflict at the earliest opportunity; and
2. the supervisor will determine arrangements for assessment including setting examination questions, marking assessment, and the roles of other staff members involved in the course; an external examiner may be necessary in some cases. If any doubt exists, the supervisor is to contact the Associate Dean (Academic).

Documentation of Assessment Judgements

(88) To ensure the integrity of assessment and to enhance feedback on assessment, clear records must be kept of assessment and/or the evaluation of assessment against the criteria and standards, including when the work does not generate evidence that can be referred to after the assessment. For example, for assessment in the form of a supervised placement, or a practical demonstration, one or more of the following are used:

1. two markers are used; and/or
2. the assessment is recorded.

(89) When a student is required to complete an oral or practical assessment item worth 20% or more, the performance will be recorded and retained in accordance with Appendix 1.

(90) The Associate Dean (Academic) may waive the recording of an assessment performance under clause 89 if they are satisfied that one or more of the following apply:

1. the assessment occurs in a setting where recording is not permitted (for example, a clinical setting where recording will compromise patient privacy and confidentiality);
2. it is not feasible to record the content due to the structure or format of the assessment (for example, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE)); or
3. the filming process will disrupt the assessment performance and/or compromise assessment validity.

(91) Where the recording of an assessment performance is waived, the course profile will clearly state what other means will be used to document the performance (for example, written notes).

The Method of Representing and Aggregating Results

(92) The aggregation of the results of individual assessment items to determine a course grade must ensure that the course grade aligns with the generic descriptor for that grade. For example, the aggregation must ensure that a course grade of 4 reflects demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

(93) Variations to grade cut-offs after the assessment lockdown date may be permissible where there is a justifiable academic reason for the change:

1. on the approval of the Head of School, grade cut-offs may be lowered where the change does not disadvantage students; and
2. on the approval of the Associate Dean (Academic) in consultation with the Academic Registrar, grade cut-offs may be increased.

Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades

(94) Students are provided with their individual marks and grades only, not those of other students. Results must not be displayed in public places or student forums (for example, physical or online noticeboards).

(95) On completion of moderation of marking, results for all summative assessment items, except the final assessment item, are to be made available to individual students through the learning management system, in a timely fashion and, where practicable, prior to any final assessment item.

(96) The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released (see ‘Part H – Grading System’ provisions). The marks must be released through the learning management system.

(97) Despite clause 95, the Academic Registrar may approve the early release of marks for a final assessment item.

(98) Staff must not disclose any information to unauthorised persons about the marks or grades of a particular student.

Part G - Assessment Re-mark

General

(99) Where a student believes the judgement of their work against the marking criteria and standards and the resulting mark or grade does not reflect their performance, they may have grounds to submit a re-mark request (see ‘Grounds for Consideration’ below).

(100) Reconsideration of a mark that involves review of the academic judgement will be treated as a re-mark request.

(101) Re-mark requests may be made for individual or group assessment, per the table below.

(102) If the mark is found to be incorrect due to a mathematical error in the calculation of a result, this is not a re-mark. Amendments to a result are considered a procedural error if due to:

1. a mathematical error; or
2. non-inclusion of the marks from an assessment item or part thereof.

(103) Where a student believes that the judgement of their work has been affected by matters other than academic judgement or procedural error, a grievance may be lodged (Student Grievance Resolution Policy).

(104) The re-mark process is shown in the linked diagram.

Grounds for Consideration

(105) An application for a re-mark is considered only when:

1. it is feasible to reconsider the original assessment judgement. For example, the performance of a practical task or an oral examination where there is insufficient reviewable evidence of student achievement may be excluded from a re-mark; and
2. the student, or one or more members of the student group, has received feedback about their performance on the assessment, and, where available, has viewed model answers, written comments, or other feedback sufficient to be able to make a case with reference to the marking criteria for the assessment item; and
3. after receiving feedback, the student, or at least 50% of members of the student group in the case of group assessment, provides a sound written academic case to demonstrate how the mark or grade awarded for an entire task, or a discrete component of a multi-component assessment item, does not reflect their performance against the advertised criteria and standards for that work. Students should reference the published assessment criteria for the assessment item and clearly show where they believe there are grounds for reconsideration of the assessment judgement; and
4. the request for re-mark is submitted within the timeframe specified in clause 111.

(106) Re-mark requests that do not include a sound academic case (per clause 105(c)) will not be approved.

(107) Re-marks are not available for an assessment that has been assessed by two or more examiners, and where post-marking moderation processes have been applied.

(108) The following reasons are not grounds for approval of an assessment re-mark:

1. the desire for extra marks to achieve a higher grade or percentage for the course;
2. sound performance in other courses;
3. comments made by the teaching staff at the time of feedback about the marking;
4. diminished performance due to ill-health or other circumstances such as inadequate examination conditions, although this may be grounds for a grievance (see clause 103 under ‘General’ provisions); or
5. the requirement to pass the course to facilitate graduation.

Applications for Assessment Re-mark

(109) An application for re-mark of assessment is made online through my.UQ.

(110) If the application is for a re-mark of group assessment where only one mark is awarded irrespective of individual contributions, then:

1. the Group Member Acknowledgement form must be completed by the students and attached with the request; and
2. if not all group members are a party to the application, the School will send a notification to all group members. The notification is for information purposes only and should refer the students to this Procedure so that all group members are aware of the process.

(111) A request for re-mark must be submitted no later than 21 calendar days following the release of the mark for that piece of assessment.

(112) In exceptional circumstances, the Senior Administrative Officer (Faculty) may accept later requests for a re-mark.

Approval of Assessment Re-mark

(113) A re-mark may be approved by the Associate Dean (Academic) or Deputy Associate Dean (Academic) of the faculty that owns the course, in consultation with relevant academic staff members.

(114) Where a re-mark request is approved, the School will arrange for the assessment item to be re-marked and will communicate the outcome of the re-mark to the student(s), with feedback.

(115) Where the outcome of a re-mark results in a change to a final grade, the School and/or Faculty will follow the procedure to change a finalised grade (see ‘Part I – Finalisation of Grade’ provisions).

Conducting a Re-mark

(116) Where possible, a re-mark will be conducted by an independent marker who will be provided with examples of different levels of performance against the criteria and standards.

(117) Where a peer assessment re-mark is approved, the peer assessment process and peer submissions should be reviewed by an independent marker. If appropriate, the independent marker should interview all peer assessors to enable an academic judgement on the peer mark. Where a peer assessment re-mark might change the marks or peer assessment factors of other students (for example, a fixed number of marks is distributed between team members), then those students must be given the opportunity to provide input to the independent marker.

(118) In all cases where a re-mark is approved, the assessment item submitted by an individual student will be re-marked in its entirety. Similarly, for a group assessment item, the item that is completed by the group will be re-marked in its entirety. There may be exceptions where the Associate Dean (Academic) will permit a re-mark of a discrete section of the assessment item (for example, an examination comprising short answer and multiple-choice questions where only the short answer questions are re-marked).

(119) In applying an amended mark or grade based on a re-mark, Faculties and Schools must consider whether the re-mark has implications for the marks of other students in the course. If the reason for the re-mark is systemic, then the relevant assessment item of the other students in the course must also be re-marked.

(120) If a re-mark varies from the original mark or grade by 10% or more, or a single grade or more, then moderation must occur. The moderation process should be managed by the School Director of Teaching and Learning, who will consider whether the marking variation means that the assessment item should be re-marked for the relevant cohort (or part thereof).

(121) Only one re-mark will be conducted on any piece of assessment.

(122) In all cases, a re-mark will replace the original mark for the piece of assessment in the calculation of the final grade, which could result in a higher or lower grade. The only exception to this applies to a graduated student, where the result will be reviewed by the Academic Registrar for a final decision.

Part H - Grading System

Numeric Grade Descriptors

(123) Grade descriptors for numeric grades 1-7 are detailed in the following table. In addition to these, the grade descriptors in the following provisions (‘Grade Descriptors for Non-Graded Pass and Fail’, ‘Grade Descriptors for Supplementary Assessment’ and ‘Other Grade Descriptors’) may also apply under specific circumstances.

Grade Descriptors for Non-graded Pass and Fail

(124) Grade descriptors in the table below apply to non-graded pass and fail.

(125) The use of P and N must be approved by the Associate Dean (Academic).

(126) If a grade of P or N is awarded and it is necessary to calculate a student’s GPA:

1. a course in which P is awarded must be excluded from the calculation; and
2. N must be regarded as a grade of 2.

Grade Descriptors for Supplementary Assessment

(127) The grade descriptors listed in the table below apply when supplementary assessment has been awarded.

Other Grade Descriptors

(128) In certain circumstances, the grade descriptors in the table below may also apply.

(129) For grades of G, M, K or X, an equivalent numerical grade of 0 will be applied for the purpose of GPA calculation.

Part I - Finalisation of Grades

Certification and Release of Final Grades

(130) The Course Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that grades for students enrolled in their courses are a true representation of each student’s performance, have been correctly calculated, and have been moderated as required (see ‘Moderation’ provisions, clauses 82-85).

(131) The relevant Chief Examiner(s), working in conjunction with the School Director of Teaching and Learning, is responsible for the accuracy of grades for their school.

(132) The Executive Dean is responsible for ensuring that appropriate processes are implemented by the Faculty and Schools to conduct moderation, accurate calculation, and determination of grades, in a format and timeframe set by the Academic Registrar.

(133) The Academic Registrar is responsible for the official release of final grades.

(134) Once a grade is officially released it becomes a final grade.

(135) Where a deferred examination or supplementary assessment has been granted and undertaken, the date of release of the final grade will be regarded as the date of release of the grade recorded following that assessment.

(136) If a student’s final grade is unable to be released (for example, due to the granting of a deferred examination), the final grade(s) for that student will be released at a time determined by the Academic Registrar.

Amendments to Grades

(137) Grades may only be changed in the circumstances outlined in the following table.

(138) In special circumstances where a student has been approved for removal of course in accordance with Removal of Courses Due to Special Circumstances Procedure, the final grade will be changed to a grade of W.

(139) Actions that should be taken by faculties and central administration when amending grades are specified in the Amendments to Grades Guideline.

Non-finalised and Incomplete Grades

(140) This section does not apply to a course undertaken as the thesis component of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Professional Doctorate.

(141) Despite clause 137 (see ‘Amendments to Grades’ provisions, clauses 137-139), where a student has been granted a deferred examination or extension, the following classifications will apply until approved by the Head of School and submitted to the Executive Dean or Academic Registrar for certification:

1. if granted a deferred examination: the grade released will be ‘non-finalised’; and
2. if granted an extension: the grade released will be ‘incomplete’.

(142) If a grade for a course is listed as incomplete in the final grades, that grade must be calculated based on all assessment received from the student, and finally recorded per ‘Finalisation Dates approved by Head of School’ in the table below.

(143) Clause 142 does not apply if, before the day set out in that clause:

1. the Head of School submits a new grade to the Executive Dean; or
2. the Executive Dean approves the grade remaining incomplete for an additional period. The additional period must end on or before the date per ‘Finalisation Dates approved by Executive Dean’ in the table in clause 142, or as approved by the Academic Registrar.

Part J - Supplementary Assessment

Overview

(144) A student may be awarded supplementary assessment if they receive a final grade of 3 or N for a course.

(145) Supplementary assessment is designed to provide an additional opportunity for a student to demonstrate that they have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.

(146) A grade of 4, expressed as 3S4, or P, expressed as NSP, is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted.

Determining Appropriate Supplementary Assessment

(147) Supplementary assessment may not be available where relevant learning outcomes assessed by a course, or an assessment item within a course, cannot be validly reassessed.

(148) For courses that are supplementary-exempt, or partially supplementary-exempt, the Course Coordinator must identify this clearly in the course profile. This must be based on sound academic judgement and have the approval of the Associate Dean (Academic).

(149) In determining appropriate supplementary assessment, the Course Coordinator must consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.

(150) Supplementary assessment can take any form (for example, oral, written, examination, etc.) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.

(151) Supplementary assessment can be administered as School-based assessment.

(152) The Associate Dean (Academic) must approve the form of supplementary assessment to ensure that the minimum requirements of the course are met (see ‘Eligibility and Approval of Supplementary Assessment’ provisions, clauses 153-155). The Associate Dean (Academic) may authorise the relevant Course Coordinator to act in their place.

Eligibility and Approval of Supplementary Assessment

(153) The Associate Dean (Academic) will grant supplementary assessment to a student for:

1. up to 4 units in each semester (to a maximum of 8 units in an academic year); or
2. a single course worth more than 4 units.

(154) Supplementary assessment on a grade of N will only be awarded where, in the judgement of the Associate Dean (Academic), the student has marginally failed to attain the level of competence required for a passing grade.

(155) The provisions in clauses 153-154 have precedence over program requirements unless the program requirements are more generous to students.

Application for Supplementary Assessment

(156) Supplementary assessment is only awarded after the finalisation of the grade for the course.

(157) All requests for supplementary assessment must be made no later than the end of the fourth calendar day after release of the final grade for the course in which the supplementary assessment is being requested.

(158) Requests for supplementary assessment must be submitted as directed on my.UQ.

(159) Students are notified of the outcome of their request by email. The status and outcome of requests submitted will be accessible to students through the online facility.

(160) Once submitted, a supplementary assessment request cannot be rescinded by the student.

Timing of Supplementary Assessment

(161) Students will be advised in a timely manner of the composition, format, and duration of the supplementary assessment.

(162) Supplementary assessment must be undertaken during the following periods:

1. for first semester courses – July and August of the same year;
2. for second semester courses – December of the same year and January of the following year; and
3. for summer semester courses – the following March.

(163) Where supplementary assessment takes the form of an examination, it will be scheduled in the University’s designated deferred and supplementary examination period.

(164) Supplementary assessment cannot be deferred.

(165) Despite clauses 162 and 163:

1. If a supplementary assessment is unable to be undertaken within the periods listed in clauses 162 and 163, the supplementary assessment must be undertaken no later than 4 weeks after the Associate Dean (Academic) grants a student supplementary assessment.
   For example, late finalisation of a student’s grade following a deferred examination held during that period or following finalisation of an incomplete grade.
2. The Academic Registrar may vary the timing of supplementary assessment for any or all courses, but not for an individual student.

Finalisation of Grades for Supplementary Assessment

(166) Unless the course profile states otherwise, the final grade awarded will be based on the results of the supplementary assessment only. A passing grade for the course will be awarded only if the student receives a passing grade or mark on the supplementary assessment.

(167) Where a student has been granted supplementary assessment and the form of assessment is a written examination held during the University's designated deferred and supplementary examination period, their grade for that course will typically be finalised within:

1. 10 calendar days of the examination date for first semester supplementary examinations;
2. 21 calendar days of the examination date for second semester supplementary examinations; or
3. 10 calendar days of the examination date for summer semester supplementary examinations.

(168) Where a student has been granted supplementary assessment and the form of assessment is NOT a written examination held during the University's designated deferred and supplementary examination period, grades will typically be finalised within 10 working days of the supplementary assessment submission date.

Part K - Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement

Processes for Monitoring the Effectiveness and Security of Assessment

(169) Evidence of assessment outcomes and the effectiveness of assessment, including academic integrity considerations, is collected and monitored to quality assure course-level and program-level considerations (see ‘Course-level Considerations’ and ‘Program-level Considerations’ above).

(170) The annual academic quality assurance dashboard process is used to monitor assessment practices and outcomes at program and course level.

(171) Assessment practices at the school level are monitored and improved on a semester-by-semester basis through the review of assessment outcomes and course grades.

(172) Assessment practices at the program level, including security in terms of assessment integrity, are monitored systematically through the Academic Program Review (APR) process, which requires analysis of the relevant academic quality assurance reports on the assessment of learning outcomes.

Chief Examiners

(173) It is mandatory that Heads of School appoint an academic staff member as Chief Examiner for a School, discipline, or program, as appropriate.

(174) Chief Examiners report to the Head of School and, in consultation with the School Teaching and Learning Committee, ensure:

1. School compliance with University policies and procedures related to assessment; and
2. that appropriate records of all assessment results and component parts are kept in accordance with University policy.

(175) In addition, the Chief Examiner will work with the School Teaching and Learning Committee and Course Coordinators to ensure quality assurance in assessment in the School, including:

1. setting of assessment items;
2. moderation;
3. feedback; and
4. compilation and review of grades.

(176) Chief Examiners are responsible for ensuring all examinations set by Course Coordinators have been checked and undertaken by a discipline peer where practicable. This process is to minimise errors in examination content and provide assurance that the length and design of the examination is appropriate. If it is not practicable for a discipline peer to undertake the examination, then the School must ensure there is a process to minimise errors.

Audit of Grade Changes

(177) The Academic Registrar must put procedures in place to ensure that processed grade changes are accurate, and that Grade Change Reports from SI-net are checked and sent to Examinations unit on a regular basis.

Institutional Support for Assessment

(178) Academic staff are supported and encouraged to design authentic, engaging, and sustainable assessment and to undertake appropriate professional development on assessment. They are also recognised for excellence in assessment, for example through annual performance development and promotion processes and through University awards for teaching (see Teaching and Learning Awards Policy).

Section 4 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

(179) The academic roles and accountabilities associated with implementation of this Procedure are specified in the Teaching and Learning Roles and Responsibilities Policy.

Section 5 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance

(180) Compliance monitoring is conducted in conjunction with ‘Part K – Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement’ provisions of this Procedure and the Annual Programs, Plans and Courses Quality Assurance Procedure.

(181) The School Teaching and Learning Committee, in conjunction with the Chief Examiner, reports to the Head of School and the Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee, and is responsible for monitoring all aspects of assessment including assessment design, academic integrity, compliance with examination processes, moderation of results, and finalisation of grades.

(182) Review of and compliance with this Procedure is overseen by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

Section 6 - Recording and Reporting

(183) Student grades are recorded in SI-net.

(184) Schools must keep appropriate records of all assessment results, and the evaluation of assessment, in accordance with the Information Management Policy. The Protecting Grade Integrity Guideline is available to academic and professional staff.

(185) Unless authorised by the Academic Registrar, course material containing assessment, completed examination scripts and uncollected student assignments must be retained for a minimum of 12 months from the date of certification of grades. For the requirements associated with the release of examination papers see the Examinations Procedure.

(186) Records and reports are managed in conjunction with the Annual Programs, Plans and Courses Quality Assurance Procedure.

Section 7 - Appendix

Appendix 1 – Recording of Oral and Practical Assessment for Re-mark Purposes

(187) The following conditions apply to the recording of oral and practical assessment covered under the ‘Documentation of Assessment Judgements’ provisions (clauses 88-91).

1. Schools must ensure that the technology used for recording is suitable to conduct a re-mark of the assessment task. For example, an audio-only or Echo-360 recording of screen plus audio may be sufficient in some cases, but if the marking rubric includes criteria that can only be judged with video of the student, then the recording method must include video of the student.
2. Students must be reminded ahead of assessment that their performance will be recorded as outlined in the course profile.
3. If the assessment occurs in a setting where recording is not permitted (for example, hospital or other clinical setting), students must be made aware that their performance will be recorded using other means such as written notes, and this must be stated clearly in the course profile.
4. Participants in a recorded assessment session must be aware when recording is taking place.
5. The identity of the student(s) recorded must be captured in the recording, verbally and/or visually.
6. If recording fails during the assessment, then the assessment should continue unrecorded.
7. Recordings must be stored in a secure manner and should only be accessed for the purposes of
   1. moderation of marking;
   2. provision of feedback to the student(s) recorded; and/or
   3. re-marking following a successful re-mark application.
8. Recordings must be retained for at least one year following the release of the final grade for the course.
9. Access to the recording may be sought by the student under the Queensland Right to Information Act 2009 (the RTI Act).

Appendix 2 – Definitions, Terms and Acronyms