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

Impet_Limpet

I imagine the scores are adjusted after marking, once they marry up the marks with the student.

studentphil

Anonymously then

Diminutive

Let's have a bunch of graduates who can't write basic English sentances, that sounds like a good plan.

Every university will make their own special adjustments as necessary for students with disabilities. To ignore spelling and grammar for these candidates or all candidates would be down right ridiculous. No offense to people with those conditions, but in the "real world", they will need to compensate for their disabilities as well, and they will most probably be similar to those that the university suply. Such as extra time, or use of spelling aids etc. Grammar and spelling isn't ignored in the real world and it shouldn't be ignored at unversities. If candidates (all candidates) were let off on spelling and grammar errors, people would become lazy. Its quite simple really.

Also, no offense StudentPhil, it just sounds like you get rubbish grades all the time and are looking at ways of excusing/justifying them.

Lusignan

Diminutive - you're right. It's not real preparation for the workplace - you won't generally get extra time and handholding there for something like dyslexia.

Impet_Limpet

So in conclusion, candidates are not automatically deducted 10% of the marks before they sit the exam. Those with a medical reason for requiring extra help can get assistance, but must apply for it beforehand and accept the "real world" situation when they start employment. Lazy people who just can't spell deserve to lose marks.

My mother has dyscalculia (not sure if the word is used in the correct context) however back then it didn't exist, she managed to get good grades in most things, maths obviously being an exception.

studentphil

So to make HE real world we should not offer any support.

Prudent

My dd is very dyslexic. She will get help with extra time and a scribe if she wishes. She also has the option of doing her exam on a laptop.

dmg24

Martine is correct, marks can be adjusted when the Special Circumstances Panel meet. It does not tend to be a set percentage, but if the candidate in question is near a classification boundary, they may be marked up.

The decision taken is by no means random, consideration of several factors are taken, such as marks over the year, and attendance at lectures (with the exception being where a student has limited attendance due to their condition).

For instance, if a paper is marked at 57%, it may be moderated to 60%.

I think it would be a very rare circumstance where someone got marked up by more than this.

Impet_Limpet

To studentphil

No, university is primary about academic achievement on the understanding of the subject. A dyslexic person may have brilliant and original ideas but not be able to express then in a consise manner as a result there is support for this in order to get results reflecting their understanding and application. For example longer time to read questions in exams, dedicated tutors for exam revision. Once in the world of employment support is much more limited, but it may be the jobs these people apply for do not require lots of spelling or writing. My mum certainly does nothing to do with maths in her care work.

studentphil

dmg24 wrote: »

Martine is correct, marks can be adjusted when the Special Circumstances Panel meet. It does not tend to be a set percentage, but if the candidate in question is near a classification boundary, they may be marked up.

The decision taken is by no means random, consideration of several factors are taken, such as marks over the year, and attendance at lectures (with the exception being where a student has limited attendance due to their condition).

For instance, if a paper is marked at 57%, it may be moderated to 60%.

I think it would be a very rare circumstance where someone got marked up by more than this.

I have never know that happen on the grounds of disability as the exam adjustments are meant to sort that out.