ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Units vary on their method of assessment; some are assessed by coursework and some by a mixture of coursework and examinations or just by examination alone.

Coursework is usually phased to occur during the semester with examinations occurring at the end of the semester.

But this pattern may vary from unit to unit.  Your unit guide will give you guidance on what is required – READ IT!

It may be obvious, but you only get marks for answering the question or assignment set by the lecturer.  It is a waste of your time and effort to go off at a tangent and not keep to the subject required.  In addition, you can do the most brilliant project in the world, but if it is not handed-in on time, then you will lose marks.  So act on the following suggestions:

• Clarify the task – Examine the title of the assessment – Do you know exactly what is required?  If not ask the lecturer in good time.
  
  
• Ask if the lecturer has any special preferences.
  
  
• Write a simple phrase to summarise the main points you want to include in your answer.
  
  
• Now look at these points, do you already have the information you need or do you need to do more    research. – Where/and when are you going to do this research.
  
  
• Make a time plan or schedule, working back from the required hand-in date – Don't forget to include time for at least one first draft before the final version.
  
  
• Aim to hand-in work 1 day early, just in case there is a last-minute problem – rail strike etc. – and get a receipt.
  
  
• Handing-in something is better than handing-in nothing. Late submissions are capped at a bare pass mark and non submission means that you will still have to do the work – and then be capped at the bare pass mark.  Surely what you have managed to achieve by the hand-in date is better than a bare pass?

Extensions

Extensions may be granted if you ask in advance of the deadline and for good reasons, such as family or health problems.  However tutors may only have a little flexibility in granting extensions, especially where the work may need to be marked by more than one lecturer and sent to an external examiner.  The university has specific policies on granting extensions (you need to be familiar with these [student handbook]) and in addition, specific courses have their own requirements.  Make sure you know how to apply for an extension and the reasons that are acceptable.

Good Marks

In general, no matter what the type of work, you may find the following guidelines useful to indicate what the lecturers are looking for in assessment.  

Click here for guidelines on achieving good marks.