(1) These Guidelines provide a framework for the design and administration of assessment tasks at the University of New England (UNE). (2) These Guidelines apply to all coursework programs of study offered by UNE. The Guidelines do not apply to higher degree by research courses. (3) Appeals against assessment processes and decisions are addressed in the Assessment Appeals Guidelines. (4) Within these Guidelines: (5) Assessment tasks at UNE provide students with opportunities to demonstrate achievement of course and unit learning outcomes. They are designed to maximise student learning through progressively building students’ knowledge and skills, and may be formative or summative. (6) Within the parameters of these Guidelines, the Unit Coordinator has discretion in designing the type, content, number, volume, weighting and timing of assessment tasks and examinations. (7) Assessment tasks must enable the achievement of unit learning outcomes and each assessment task must have clear assessment criteria that enable students to meet the requirements of the task, demonstrate the related learning outcomes and understand the grading or marking structure and levels of achievement for each grade or mark. (8) With the exception of units with theses, each unit must include more than one assessment task to enable a comprehensive assessment of a student’s performance. The timing of assessment tasks must be reasonable and consider factors that include, but are not limited to: (9) Assessment tasks must be weighted according to the scaffolding of tasks within the unit, difficulty or level of challenge, and the amount of work expected of the student to meet task requirements. The following also applies to weighting: (10) The following applies to the volume of assessment: (11) The following also apply to the design of assessment tasks: (12) The number, type, volume, weighting and unit learning outcomes in assessment tasks in a unit are considered and approved in the processes outlined in the Course and Unit Design and Approval Guidelines. (13) An outline of the type of assessment tasks (including any examination) for a unit will be available on the UNE Course Handbook. With the exception of specialised units and assessment tasks arranged through Student Access and Inclusion, the Unit Coordinator will, at least one week prior to the start of the relevant teaching period, ensure that the following information is provided on the unit site in the Learning Management System: (14) Assessment tasks cannot be modified after they have been published in the Learning Management System, except in exceptional circumstances with the approval of the Head of School. The Unit Coordinator is responsible for notifying students of any changes through the Learning Management System. (15) When completing assessment tasks, students must comply with all stated requirements and abide by the principles of academic integrity as outlined in the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule. Students must complete the academic integrity module prior to the submission of their first assessment task in their first teaching period of enrolment. (16) Where the assessment type allows, students must submit assessment tasks through UNE’s originality measurement software unless granted an exemption by the relevant Head of School. (17) Students must submit assessment tasks by the specified due date and time unless they have received an approved extension. The Head of School, in consultation with the School Education Committee or equivalent, will determine each (18) Assessment tasks submitted after the due date and time without an approved extension will incur a late submission penalty. The following provisions apply: (19) The Head of School (or delegate) is responsible for ensuring that all marking of assessment tasks is undertaken by appropriately qualified academic staff. Marking staff must assess the task against the pre-determined assessment criteria, and identify and report on cases of possible academic misconduct to the Unit Coordinator (see Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule). (20) Other than theses and dissertations, assessment tasks will be marked and marks provided to students within twenty-one (21) calendar days after either the submission due date or the actual submission date (if after the submission due date). Examinations should be marked and marks provided to students prior to final grades being released. If marking is delayed for any reason, the Unit Coordinator will ensure students are informed of the delay and an expected timeframe for completion. (21) The Unit Coordinator will organise moderation of marks where there is subjectivity in the marking of an assessment task and more than one marker is involved. Students should be informed if multiple markers are involved in the unit. (22) Unit Coordinators must ensure that students are provided with actionable feedback about their academic performance to enable development in knowledge and skills. Feedback will be constructive, justify the mark and relate to the assessment criteria. For assessment tasks such as selected-response or auto-marking tasks, generic feedback can be the sole source of feedback. For units with only one assessment task (e.g. an honours thesis), students must be provided with formative feedback during the unit. (23) In relation to learning assessed through a student placement, the provisions of the Work Integrated Learning Rule and Work Integrate Learning Procedure apply. (24) In relation to thesis or dissertation marking: (25) Supervised examinations at UNE are timed activities that provide students with adequate time to reasonably comprehend and respond to set questions and demonstrate achievement of relevant learning outcomes. Supervision must ensure that students do not have access to unauthorised resources and are unable to communicate with third parties during the examination. (26) Examinations at UNE will normally be provided online. The Examinations Office is responsible for managing supervised examinations. (27) The maximum length of any single examination will be three (3) hours in duration (exemptions may be granted through Study Access Plans). (28) Unit Coordinators must ensure there are assessment criteria for each examination. (29) Examination questions must be provided in the appropriate format and submission mode by the dates set by the Examinations Office. Permission to make changes to examinations once submitted must be sought from the Manager Examinations. (30) The Examinations Office will inform students of the examination timetable or availability window at least four (4) weeks before the examination. (31) Failure to attend the examination will result in a mark of 0% being awarded for the examination. If there are reasonable circumstances for missing the exam, a student may apply for special assessment (see Part D). (32) At the beginning of each examination, students must make available to exam supervisors either their valid UNE identification card or a Government issued photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport. (33) Access to aids or additional materials are not permitted during examinations unless indicated in the instructions in the examination document or agreed beforehand with the Unit Coordinator and advised to the Examinations Office. The Unit Coordinator will notify students of any allowable aids or additional materials in advance of the examination. (34) During the examination, students are required to: (35) Failure to follow reasonable instructions may constitute academic misconduct under the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and/or Student Behavioural Misconduct Rules. (36) Following the examination, students will be able to view their responses if they place their request in writing to the Unit Coordinator within twenty (20) working days of the final results for the unit being made available to the student. (37) UNE will set an examination availability window of at least twenty-four (24) hours for each online examination (a shorter time period requires approval from the relevant Dean) and notify students of the window through the Learning Management System. (38) Students are required to book an exam time within the availability window and sit the examination at the selected time. A student who can demonstrate that they cannot sit the examination during the availability window can request an alternative availability window through the special assessment process in Part D. (39) During the availability window, if a student misses their selected time due to unavoidable reasons, they can contact the Examinations Office and subject to availability, an alternative time to sit the examination within the availability window may be organised. (40) To undertake an online exam, students must meet certain requirements around their identification, computer, webcam, and physical space which involves the collection of personal information. This is required to: (41) The requirements are outlined in further detail on the Examinations website and are provided to students in advance of each examination period. (42) If a student encounters technical issues when commencing or during the online exam, the invigilator will attempt to resolve the issue. If the invigilator cannot resolve the issue, it will be escalated to the Examinations Office for resolution and advice. If the Examinations Office cannot resolve this issue, another opportunity to sit the examination will be provided. (43) Unless approved by the Examinations Office or Student Access and Inclusion, students must not be absent from the view of the exam supervisor for any reason and for any period during the examination. Any unauthorised absence will be reported to the Examinations Office and may be escalated for investigation under the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule. (44) If a student has considered the requirements for online examinations in clauses 40 and 41 and is unable to meet the systems or conditions requirements or does not consent to the collection of personal information, the student must apply for an alternative assessment through the UNE website within four (4) weeks of the commencement of the teaching period. If an examination is scheduled within the first four weeks of the teaching period, the application must be made at least one (1) week before the examination. (45) Subject to any inherent requirements and the requirements of any accrediting body, the Unit Coordinator will provide an alternative assessment for completion within the relevant teaching period. As with all assessment tasks, alternative assessments must be designed in accordance with the provisions of Part A of these Guidelines and must enable the student to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes assessed through the online examination. Unless specified by an accrediting body, the alternative assessment is not required to be a supervised examination. (46) If a Unit Coordinator (for reasons such as accrediting body requirements) wishes to provide a supervised paper-based examination as an alternative assessment, a request (approved by the relevant Associate Dean Teaching & Learning) must be made to the Examinations Office before the commencement of the relevant teaching period for decision by the Executive Principal Education Futures. (47) If a paper-based examination can logistically be accommodated and is approved, the Examinations Office will inform the student of the date, time and location of their examination. (48) Due to personal health issues, unforeseen technical issues, unexpected work or family commitments or other extenuating circumstances, a student may: (49) If any of the situations in clause 48 occur, a student may wish to apply for special assessment, and provide any supporting evidence, through the UNE website. Applications for special assessment must be made within five (5) working days of the examination date or assessment task due date. Late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the Course Coordinator (or delegate). (50) The Examinations Office will process applications and provide to the (51) The Course Coordinator (or delegate) can decide to grant: (52) The Examinations Office will aim to notify students of the decision within ten (10) working days of receipt of the application. If a special assessment is granted, the following apply: (53) If the application is rejected, the student will be informed of the reason for the decision and information on the appeals process (see Assessment Appeals Guidelines). (54) The relevant Unit Coordinator must offer a supplementary assessment to a student who is in their final teaching period before graduation and because of the following circumstances is unable to graduate: (55) The student will not be eligible for a supplementary assessment if it has been determined that they engaged in academic misconduct in the unit. (56) The Unit Coordinator must: (57) In order to pass the unit, the student must achieve a mark of 50% or higher in the supplementary assessment. If achieved, the student will receive a maximum mark of 50% for the unit. (58) Students with health conditions or personal circumstances who require adjustments to be made to assessment tasks or examinations should contact Student Access and Inclusion (before the commencement of the teaching period where possible). Student Access and Inclusion will work with the student (or representative) and relevant staff members to arrange reasonable adjustments or an alternative form of assessment task. Alternative assessment methods must be arranged with the advice and support of Student Access and Inclusion to ensure accordance with the Disability Standards for Education 2005, under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). (59) The grades used by UNE are outlined in the University’s Grading System. (60) Each School must have a Board of Examiners, chaired by the Head of School or nominee, which reviews and approves final results for all units in each teaching period. Students should note that results are not final until approved by the Board of Examiners and released. (61) The Board of Examiners can: (62) The Examinations Office is responsible for coordinating the release of final results to students. After final results are confirmed, any changes can only be approved by the Head of School (or delegate). (63) The Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, consistent with the Functions of the Vice-Chancellor Rule, makes these Guidelines. (64) These Guidelines have the effect of a Policy and UNE Representatives and students must observe these Guidelines. (65) These Guidelines are consistent with the requirements for assessment under the Higher Education Standards Framework and the Australian Qualifications Framework. (66) The following records must be kept: (67) These Guidelines operate as and from the Effective Date. With the exception of the following clauses, the Effective Date of these Guidelines is the first day of the teaching period for Trimester 1 2021: (68) Previous procedures on assessment are replaced and have no further operation from the Effective Date of these new Guidelines. (69) Notwithstanding other provisions of these Guidelines, the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer may approve an exception to these Guidelines where the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer determines the application of these Guidelines would otherwise lead to an unfair, unreasonable or absurd outcome. Approvals by the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer under this clause must be documented in writing and must state the reason for the exception. (70) The implementation of these Guidelines will be supported through: (71) Teaching period: the time period (including examination period) in which a unit is being offered. Assessment Guidelines
Section 1 - Overview & Scope
Part A - Design of assessment tasks
Purpose
Design and approval
Part B - Administration, submission and marking of assessment tasks
Information to students
Submission
Marking and feedback
Part C - Supervised examinations
Development of examinations
General provisions for examinations
Additional requirements for online examinations
Alternative assessments to online examinations
Part D - Special Assessments
Supplementary assessment
Reasonable adjustments for students with additional needs or particular educational requirements
Part E - Final grading
Summary of Roles and Responsibilities
Top of Page
Executive Principal Education Futures
Dean
Decides on requests for examination availability windows shorter than the UNE standard.
Associate Dean Teaching and Learning
Head of School
Reviews and ratifies final results for units within relevant School in each teaching period
Course Coordinator
Decides on requests for special assessment
Unit Coordinator
Examinations Office
Assessment markers
Student Access and Inclusion
Works with students and relevant staff to arrange adjustments to assessment tasks or examinations.
Education Enterprise
Provides support and advice to staff in designing assessment tasks.
Students
Section 2 - Authority and Compliance
Section 3 - Quality Assurance
Top of PageSection 4 - Definitions
View Current
This is not a current document. To view the current version, click the link in the document's navigation bar.
Decides on requests to hold paper-based examinations.
Regularly monitors and provides an annual report to Teaching and Learning Committee and Academic Board on the operation of, and compliance with, these Guidelines.
Decides on requests for alternative late submission penalties for individual units.
Considers supporting requests to hold paper-based examinations.
Decides on requests to change published assessment tasks.
Determines School’s process for receiving and responding to extension requests.
Ensures marking of assessment tasks is undertaken by appropriately qualified academic staff.
Establishes School’s process for selection of examiners and moderation of marks for theses or dissertations.
Approves late changes to final results.
Design assessment tasks in accordance with these Guidelines.
Provides information on unit assessment tasks on the Learning Management System at least one week prior to the start of the relevant teaching period.
Notifies students of any changes to published assessment tasks.
Manages extension process (if required by School process).
Informs impacted students of any late submission penalties applied.
Ensures assessment tasks are marked and marks returned to students within 21 calendar days. Notifies students of any delay to marking timeframes.
Organises moderation of marks where required.
Ensures students are provided with actionable feedback.
Informs Examinations Office of required examination information, including allowable aids or additional material.
Provides alternative assessments to online examinations as required.
Actions decisions of Course Coordinator on special assessment.
Offers supplementary assessments to students where required.
Responsible for centrally managed supervised examinations, including informing students of examination timetables, assisting with requests for alternative times, assisting with technical issues, and escalating potential academic misconduct.
Processes requests for special assessment, and notifies students of outcomes.
Coordinates release of final results to students.
Mark assessments against pre-determined assessment criteria.
Report on possible academic misconduct to the Unit Coordinator.
Complete and submit assessment tasks and examinations in accordance with these Guidelines and abide by principles of academic integrity.
Lodge any requests for extensions, alternative assessments or special assessment as soon as possible (or within required timeframes) and provide supporting evidence as required.