Scrap 'Relative Grading' system
The Issue
The undergraduate courses in University of Delhi got an overhaul with implementation of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) from session 2015-16. The results of first semester for the CBCS batch came out in January 2016 but with no clarity. The method for converting marks to grades has not been explained anywhere in the transcript. As per reports, instead of using absolute grading, the university decided to use the relative grading system under which individual students' grade depends on the performance of entire batch and its size. It uses the mean score in an exam and fixed multiples of the standard deviation (value changes with paper) depending on marks of all students across the university in a paper to assign score ranges called 'windows' to each letter grade (O, A, A+, etc.). The conversion formula devised requires marks greater than Mean (X) + 2.5*Standard deviation (σ) in a paper to secure grade outstanding (O). This formula has made 'O' unachievable to students of some courses because, the percentage marks required for grade 'O' may cross 100% for some papers. The rationale behind using this particular formula is ambiguous.
To add to the woes, no break-up of the overall grade in a course has been mentioned i.e. grades (or marks) obtained in the external examination (theory), practical examination, and internal assessment. It is thus impossible for students to decide on re-evaluation. As per the results declared for the first semester, in certain subjects almost the entire batch or majority of students have scored B (above average), while in some other subjects, majority has scored O (outstanding) or A+ (excellent).
Aforementioned issues have led to a lot of confusion among students regarding their individual performance as exact marks or absolute grades are unknown.
If this continues for further university examinations, it is surely going to make the matter worse. Absolute grading can be a step in the right direction under which the marks are converted to grades based on pre-determined class intervals.
Sign my petition to convey that we are aware students who know how to stand up for what we rightly deserve.
Sign my petition and help me build support to get relative marking scrapped. If enough of us stand and speak up, we can make the university administration rethink about relative grading system in the university examination.
The Issue
The undergraduate courses in University of Delhi got an overhaul with implementation of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) from session 2015-16. The results of first semester for the CBCS batch came out in January 2016 but with no clarity. The method for converting marks to grades has not been explained anywhere in the transcript. As per reports, instead of using absolute grading, the university decided to use the relative grading system under which individual students' grade depends on the performance of entire batch and its size. It uses the mean score in an exam and fixed multiples of the standard deviation (value changes with paper) depending on marks of all students across the university in a paper to assign score ranges called 'windows' to each letter grade (O, A, A+, etc.). The conversion formula devised requires marks greater than Mean (X) + 2.5*Standard deviation (σ) in a paper to secure grade outstanding (O). This formula has made 'O' unachievable to students of some courses because, the percentage marks required for grade 'O' may cross 100% for some papers. The rationale behind using this particular formula is ambiguous.
To add to the woes, no break-up of the overall grade in a course has been mentioned i.e. grades (or marks) obtained in the external examination (theory), practical examination, and internal assessment. It is thus impossible for students to decide on re-evaluation. As per the results declared for the first semester, in certain subjects almost the entire batch or majority of students have scored B (above average), while in some other subjects, majority has scored O (outstanding) or A+ (excellent).
Aforementioned issues have led to a lot of confusion among students regarding their individual performance as exact marks or absolute grades are unknown.
If this continues for further university examinations, it is surely going to make the matter worse. Absolute grading can be a step in the right direction under which the marks are converted to grades based on pre-determined class intervals.
Sign my petition to convey that we are aware students who know how to stand up for what we rightly deserve.
Sign my petition and help me build support to get relative marking scrapped. If enough of us stand and speak up, we can make the university administration rethink about relative grading system in the university examination.
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Petition created on 17 March 2016