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Awarding grades

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In NSW student achievement is reported against a set of achievement standards. These standards are based on what students are expected to learn at each stage (in the NSW syllabus) and measured against how well they meet those expectations.

The A to E grade reflects the level of achievement demonstrated by the student at the end of the course

Teachers make professional, on-balance judgements about which grade best matches each student’s level of achievement.

Students with disability may require adjustments to assessment activities to enable access to the task and equitable opportunity to demonstrate what they know and can do.

There are many ways schools can support teachers in judging student achievement. Methods 1 and 2 for awarding grades provide examples of two possible ways.

Confirming grades

Teachers confirm their judgements about the grades they award by comparing their students’ work with sample work aligned to grades.

This process of comparing work samples helps ensure that the grades awarded in all schools are consistent with published standards.

Achieving consistency

Schools can also use samples of work from their own students for professional development with their staff and/or teachers from other schools. These work samples can provide the basis for discussions about standards and ensure there are consistent expectations about student achievement.

Reviewing and improving assessment activities

Where similar activities are used each year, referring to student work from previous years may assist teachers to clarify what is expected prior to the marking or grading of student work. Reviewing the work samples may also provide useful information about the activity itself that could lead to improvements in task design.

View student work samples aligned to grades.

Advice for Year 12: English Studies, Mathematics Standard 1 and Numeracy CEC

Schools must award students who complete Year 12 English Studies or Mathematics Standard 1, or Numeracy CEC a grade that reflects their achievement. This grade is reported on the student’s HSC Record of Achievement.

To ensure grades have consistent meaning across the state, NESA monitors the grades awarded and reviews work samples provided by schools.

Checklist for schools

This advice relates to Year 12 grades that will appear on students' credentials.

1. Read the Achievement Level Descriptions

Familiarise yourself with the Achievement Level Descriptions, which are on the syllabus page for the relevant course.

2. Review work samples

Samples of student work aligned to grades are also provided on the syllabus page. Use the samples and their annotations to get a clear understanding of the standard at each grade.

3. Upload grades and work samples

  • Decide on the appropriate grade for each student based on the achievement they have demonstrated in the course.
  • Enter student grades in Schools Online.
  • Upload student work samples and the associated assessment activities to Schools Online.

Schools Online has guides on how to enter grades and upload student work samples. Learn more about submitting work samples.

4. Confirm grades

Check the grades entered in Schools Online are correct and confirm them.

5. Revise grades

If you are contacted by NESA and asked to revise your grades, you will have a short period of time to make changes.

6. Grades available to students

School assessment grades will be available to students when they receive their HSC results for the course. Do not reveal these grades to students until they have been finalised.

Contact us

For enquiries, please contact [email protected]

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