Exam support

Marking schedules and candidate code lists

The week prior to the first examination marking schedules and the candidate code lists allocated to each marker are sent to the examiners. 

Sample marking moderation meeting

A meeting of markers and the Board appointed examinations expert is convened for two weeks after the last examination date of the cycle. Representatives from all training providers are invited to attend to provide moderation to the marking processes.

Each marker brings ten marked question and answer booklets (or 10% of the total assigned for marking, whichever is greater) per examination paper to be discussed.

During this meeting, the Board appointed examinations expert will remind the markers and attendees of the standard practice procedures for marking examination papers and will go through examples of what must be avoided in the marking process.

Training provider representatives and markers discuss and agree on marking approaches to specific questions that may cause concerns; alternative answers are considered for the markers’ benefit and additional answers are considered for inclusion in marking schedules.

Check marker meeting

Within the two weeks prior to the release date of examination results for each examination cycle, a meeting is convened with the markers. The markers will bring all question and answer booklets they have marked.

All booklets with a result between 55 and 59.5 marks are re-checked to see if any further marks could be awarded.

All examination papers are checked to ensure marks have been added correctly.

The back pages of all examination booklets are stamped ‘Marks checked and verified.’

The examiners approve any additions or alterations to the marking schedules following the check marking meetings. These schedules are sent to the graphic designer for the final version of the answer schedule.

Data entry and result notifications

Examination results are entered into the examinations’ database, result notices are issued and posted out to the individual candidates together with their question and answer booklets.

All candidates with pass marks will also receive information on the registration process relevant to the examination they have passed.

All candidates not achieving a pass mark will also receive an ‘Application for re mark or reconsideration’.

Re-marks

Candidates finding mechanical errors in the addition of the marks on their question and answer booklets or unmarked questions should return their booklets to the Board by the date advised in the application for remark. The booklet is checked and, if needed, sent back to the original marker for the appropriate correction of the final mark. The result is entered in the examinations database and a new results slip issued.

Reconsiderations

Candidates wishing to have their examination papers completely re-marked by a different marker should send their question and answer booklets together with application and payment for reconsideration.

Payment is processed and the papers received for reconsideration are sent to a different marker for marking.

After having the papers reconsidered by the new marker the results are compared to the original marking; whichever final mark is greater is entered into the examinations database as a final result of the examination paper and a new result slip is issued if needed.

This result is final.