Is it fair to put someone in an exam with as much as 10 % off before they start?

studentphil

I was just reading assessment guidance at it says upto 10 per cent of an exam mark can be given on the grounds of Spelling and English quality. It does seem a bit unfair that in the sense that people like dyslexics or anyone who can not spell well could be loosing 10 per cent straight away. So they almost start with a 10 per cent handicap that is not even anything to do with the course content.

Impet_Limpet

Depending on the institution dylexics are offered extra exam time, computers, dictionaries or these circumstances taken into consideration when marking.
I think there is no excuse for people who just "cannot spell well" to not be penalised for lazy mistakes.

Actually while we are on the subject I keep noticing spelling mistakes and poor grammar in newspapers recently. It's rather annoying.

3plus1

studentphil wrote: »

I was just reading assessment guidance at it says upto 10 per cent of an exam mark can be given on the grounds of Spelling and English quality. It does seem a bit unfair that in the sense that people like dyslexics or anyone who can not spell well could be loosing 10 per cent straight away. So they almost start with a 10 per cent handicap that is not even anything to do with the course content.

No, they wouldn't. Anyone with a genuine medical condition that would genuinely put them at a disadvantage when sitting exams, would be able to apply in advance for special adjustments.

If however you have no real medical problem and just have never bothered to get to grips with the English language - hey, you deserve the 10% off.

Ianna

3plus1 wrote: »

No, they wouldn't. Anyone with a genuine medical condition that would genuinely put them at a disadvantage when sitting exams, would be able to apply in advance for special adjustments.

Yep. I think that dyslexia and dyspraxia are registered diabilities so under equal opportunities they couldn't have marks deducted.

melancholly

people who have disabilities like dyslexia are given extra time in exams to compensate them for this..... they also get extra support during their time at uni to help them. you can't honestly be suggesting that degree level marking of an essay based subject should completely ignore spelling and grammar? (well actually, you probably are).

EDIT - and their exam cover sheet will clearly state their disability so that markers can take it into account

if i remember correctly, you're at staffordshire uni? a very quick google indicates that dyslexia support can help 'Organise appropriate examination and assessment arrangements'. any chance you could check your uni's policies before complaining?

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/uniservices/ess/Disability_Advisory_Service/dyslexia_support.php

Lusignan

Can we just be clear on this ... is this a general discussion or is it ultimately about you, Phil? If it's the latter, I'll clear off now.

studentphil

Lusignan wrote: »

Can we just be clear on this ... is this a general discussion or is it ultimately about you, Phil? If it's the latter, I'll clear off now.

General discussion

Lusignan

studentphil wrote: »

General discussion

Good - let's make sure it stays that way. As a result of a 36 hour migraine, I'm taking no prisoners tonight.

studentphil

melancholly wrote: »

people who have disabilities like dyslexia are given extra time in exams to compensate them for this..... they also get extra support during their time at uni to help them. you can't honestly be suggesting that degree level marking of an essay based subject should completely ignore spelling and grammar? (well actually, you probably are).

EDIT - and their exam cover sheet will clearly state their disability so that markers can take it into account

if i remember correctly, you're at staffordshire uni? a very quick google indicates that dyslexia support can help 'Organise appropriate examination and assessment arrangements'. any chance you could check your uni's policies before complaining?

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/uniservices/ess/Disability_Advisory_Service/dyslexia_support.php

Many universities mark anomalously so the marker would never know if there was a condition in play or not, so that argument does not hold as universal.

What does extra time do for bad spelling exactly?

studentphil

3plus1 wrote: »

No, they wouldn't. Anyone with a genuine medical condition that would genuinely put them at a disadvantage when sitting exams, would be able to apply in advance for special adjustments.

If however you have no real medical problem and just have never bothered to get to grips with the English language - hey, you deserve the 10% off.

Extra time will do nothing for English quality really.

Lusignan

studentphil wrote: »

Many universities mark anomalously

The Chaos Approach to Marking? Random acts of grammatical correction?