MARKING

SCHEME
By

TALK ON ITEM ASSOC. PROF.

CONSTRUCTION –
SOUTHERN COLLEGE,
JOHOR BAHRU, JOHOR DR. OTHMAN MD.JOHAN
07 JULY 2009

FAKULTI PENDIDIKAN
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 1
 Holistic Scoring Method :
Holistic Method:

 Read an entire response and assigning it to a category

identified by a score or grade. See example attached.

 Develop a description of the type of response that would

illustrate each category before you start.

 Try out this draft version using several actual papers.

 Re-examine the papers within a category to see if they

are similar enough in quality to receive the same points
or grade.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 2

 Holistic Scoring Method (Cont.)

 It may be faster to read essays holistically and provide

only an overall score or grade

 However students do not receive much feedback about

their strengths and weaknesses.

 Thus, brief comments on each paper to point out one or

two strengths and/or weaknesses should be so students
will have a better idea of why their responses received
the scores they did.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 3

 Holistic Scoring Category

 A - EXCELLENT (85 - 100) - A Markedly Exceptional

Performance

 B- SUPERIOR (70 - 84)- Clearly Above Average

Performance

 C- SATISFACTORY (55 - 69) - A Fully Competent Paper

 D- POOR (40 - 54) - A Marginally Acceptable Paper

 F- FAILING (0 - 39) - An Unacceptable Performance

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 4

 Holistic Scoring Rubric :
A- EXCELLENT (85 - 100) - A Markedly Exceptional
Performance

• a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter is demonstrated,

including an in-depth understanding of the relevant concepts,
theories, and issues related to the topic addressed
• an awareness of differing view-points is demonstrated and a
rigorous assessment of these undertaken where relevant
• an ability to think critically is demonstrated in the analysis,
synthesis and evaluation of relevant information
• a thoughtful statement of position is presented and defended
through logical arguments and carefully selected supportive
detail; the arguments presented build to a consistent conclusion

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 5

 Holistic Scoring Rubric :
A- EXCELLENT (85 - 100) - A Markedly Exceptional
Performance (Cont.)

• originality, insight, and creativity are demonstrated; the paper

goes beyond repeating what others have said and contributes
something new to our understanding of the topic
• a clear, fluent, and concise style highlights a well-written, tightly
argued, and logically structured essay

• a virtually flawless mastery of all aspects of grammar, structure,

and style is demonstrated

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 6

B- SUPERIOR (70 - 84)- Clearly Above Average
Performance

• a thorough grasp of the subject matter is demonstrated

• an awareness of differing view-points is demonstrated and an
assessment of these attempted where relevant
• the paper goes beyond description to interpretation, analysis,
synthesis and evaluation
• a position is adopted and logically argued; appropriate supporting
detail is supplied

• a clear style which communicates well (but may contain occasional

or minor flaws in the mechanics of spelling, grammar, sentence
structure, etc.) is evident in the logical presentation of a reasonable
argument

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 7

C- SATISFACTORY (55 - 69) - A Fully Competent
Paper

• a basic grasp of the subject matter is demonstrated

• accurate information incorporating relevant sources and

references is conveyed

• a position is adopted and logically argued

• an adequate attempt at analysis, synthesis, interpretation

or evaluation is evident

• an acceptable style demonstrates an awareness of, and

attention to, the principles of paragraph development,
sentence structure, grammar and spelling, etc.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 8

D - POOR (40 - 54) - A Marginally Acceptable Paper

• a lack of familiarity with the subject matter is

demonstrated through the omission of key material, or
through the misinterpretation of important concepts,
theories or issues

• a lack of critical thinking is evident in a paper which is

more descriptive than interpretive; or in which the
analysis and synthesis are logically flawed; or in which
there is a reliance on assertion; or in which the relevance
of supporting detail is questionable

• a position is not taken, is hard to determine, or is

inconsistent with arguments or information presented in
the paper

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 9

D - POOR (40 - 54) - A Marginally Acceptable Paper
(Cont.)

• there is a lack of originality and an over-reliance on

material presented in class or in the assigned readings

• written expression requires improvement in basic

communication skills; or written communication is
marred by inflated diction, overly complex sentence
structures, or an obtuse style.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 10

F - FAILING (0 - 39) - An Unacceptable Performance

• a basic lack of understanding of the subject matter is

demonstrated through gross misinterpretation or omissions

• there is little attempt to go beyond description; or interpretation

and analysis demonstrates gross error in logic or supporting detail

• little or no factual material is presented; or material presented

contains gross factual error; or is completely irrelevant

• written expression is disorganized, incoherent, poorly expressed,

and contains unacceptably frequent or serious errors in grammar,
sentence structure, and spelling

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 11

F - FAILING (0 - 39) - An Unacceptable Performance

OR

• an attempt is made to use other authors' work without providing

proper acknowledgment

• an attempt is made to hand in a paper from another course

• an attempt is made to write a paper on a topic other than that

approved in writing by the instructor

- marking criteria compiled by R. Runté and K. Mazurek

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 12

 Analytic Scoring Method

• Develop a list of the major elements you believe students

should include in the ideal answer.

• This should be done before the test is printed so that you can
determine the point value of the item and the suggested
length, so that adjustments can be made if necessary.

• Analytic approach is easier to employ and is more suitable

when the essay item requires a restricted or short answer.

• You can decide to give partial credit for each element in your
list or simply to give full or no points for each item.

• Read a sample of the papers to check on your scoring scheme

and make necessary adjustments.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 13

 Example of Analytic Marking Scheme

1 a) List 4 essential features of a facsimile (fax) in the

context of the modern office
[4 marks]

(b) In a large office, describe two factors which should be

considered in making a decision to purchase a facsimile
machine
[8 marks]

(c) A company with a large travelling sales staff is

considering the introduction of portable computers with
modems for communication. Compile a summary report for
your IT Manager on the possible benefits to the company
of introducing such products
[8 marks]

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 14

Marking Scheme:

Ques- Part Performance Mark Total Outline Solution

tion Criteria Mark
1 (a) Recall Any 4  Transmits exact copy
4 features relevant  Transmits data from hard
identified points copy
 Sends text & graphics
4x1
 Uses phone line
marks 4  Can send & receive data
outside office hours
 Can transmit via computer

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 15

Marking Scheme:

Ques- Part Performance Mark Total Outline Solution

tion Criteria Mark
1 (b) Understanding Any 2  Convenience/speed
of concepts relevant  Volume usage
& clarity of points  Cost effectiveness
expression
2x4 8  Use outside office hours
marks  Different time zone

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 16

Marking Scheme:

Ques- Part Performance Mark Total Outline Solution

tion Criteria Mark
1 (c) Application -  Speed
Range of 4 marks  Efficiency
appropriate  Immediacy
examples  Placing orders
Good 4 marks 8  Ease of
supporting
communication
evidence/
application
to concepts

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 17

 Guidelines to Scoring Exams:

Regardless of whether you decide to use an analytic or holistic

method of scoring, there are several guidelines to consider with
respect to the scoring of essay tests:

• Develop scoring criteria or model answers.

• If there are several essay questions, score all of the students

responses to one question at a time. This improves consistency
and reduces any "carryover" effects.

• Decide whether you are going to score factors other than

content, such as spelling, language usage, and organization.
Make sure that your students are aware if you are, and give a
separate score for these factors.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 18

 Guidelines to Scoring Exams:

• Score essay responses anonymously to avoid any bias resulting from

your familiarity with students and their previous work. One idea is to
have students write their names on the backs of the answer sheets or
booklets.

• Periodically check to see whether you have applied the criteria in the
same way to later-scored answers as to earlier-scored ones.

• If you have a large number of papers to score, stop when you get tired
so that your frame of mind will not cause your scoring to be
inconsistent. When you start again, read over the last few papers you
scored to be sure that your scoring was objective.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 19

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 20