results and grades

Assessment 

Students’ performance will be evaluated in a progress through a combination of assessment tasks which is transparently indicated in the Learning Guide at the beginning of each class. The total mark is the average mark weighted by proportion of each assessment task in a subject. 

Assessment tasks may include attendance, individual assignment, group assignment, seminar, mid-term examination and final examination. 

Grading 

Western Sydney University uses the following grades

Where a student has repeated a subject, both grades will be counted towards the GPA, and both results will remain on the official academic transcript.

The formula for calculating the GPA is: 

GPA = The sum of (credit points for the same specific subject x Grade points for specific subject)/ Total number of credit points attempted.

The elements of the above GPA formula are: 

a. Grade points for specific subject refers to the numerical value allocated to particular grades (e.g H =7; see table above); 

b. Credit points for same specific subject refers to the credit points allocated to the subject studied (e.g. 10 cp); and

c. Total number of credit points attempted refers to the credit points for all subjects attempted including credit points for subjects where the grade achieved was F, E, U, AF, FNS, PF and CF and excluding the credit points for S grades.

For example, a student takes four subjects. Three are 10-credit-point subjects and the student achieved grades worth 7, 6 and 5. One is a 40-credit-point subject and the student achieved a grade worth 7. The GPA is calculated as follows: 

[(10 x 7) + (10 x 6) + (10 x 5) + (40 x 7)] / (10 + 10 + 10 + 40) = 6.571

Grading rules

All of the elements relating to Grading Rules should be clearly addressed in the Learning Guide, with reminders given in class and through the LMS. 

Moderation practices are essential for quality assurance purposes. Moderation must occur before the marks for an assessment task are returned to students and not afterwards. 

Moderation should ensure that markers develop a shared understanding of the expected standards and apply them consistently. The relevant Associate Dean and Learning Futures staff can give advice about discipline-appropriate moderation practices. 

Assessment-related decisions that may impact a student’s progression or graduation must: 

• • be based solely on the assessments specified for that purpose; and 

  • not depend on judgments made by a single marker without review by colleagues for calibration or moderation. 

Before submitting final marks and grades for approval by the School, the Subject Coordinator (or equivalent) must ensure that individual student grades that are one mark below a grade boundary (for example, 49 F or 64 P) have been reviewed to confirm that the criteria and standards have been applied properly and to determine whether the student has met the subject learning outcomes and can be awarded the higher grade. Students with final marks between 45% and 49% can consider applying for a supplementary examination. 

Results will only be communicated to students through formal channels, MyWSUVN for Stage 1 and MySR for Stage 2. 

For more information, please refer to this LINK

Circumstances when all Grades in a Subject may be Reviewed 

Subject Coordinators (or equivalent) may be asked to justify final grades allocated to a cohort. 

If a significant number of students in a cohort receive extremely high or extremely low or bunched grades, or if there are significant inconsistencies between groups undertaking the subject in different locations or by different modes, this may indicate a failure to properly apply the criteria and standards application to the assessment items in the subject.

Where it appears that criteria and standards may not have been properly applied, the SAC will ask the Deputy Dean or nominee to investigate the matter in consultation with the Subject Coordinator and DAP (or equivalent). Re-marking of assessment tasks or adjustment of marks may be undertaken in these exceptional circumstances, and the Subject Coordinator (or equivalent) will be advised of the outcome. It may be necessary for some or all of the results for the whole subject to be withheld pending investigation.