top of page

Do universities grade students to follow a normal distribution?

  • Writer: Paige Phillips
    Paige Phillips
  • May 16, 2019
  • 2 min read

This conspiracy is relatively short and simple and follows along the same lines as those involved in the pass rate of the practical driving theory test.




The driving pass theory states that examiners can only pass a certain number of people each day, week or month, thus meaning some students are failed not due to their driving capabilities, but due to the fact the examiner’s driving quota has been reached. This is based on the idea that if too many people are passed in a day, there will be too many drivers on the road – increasing traffic and congestion.


Similarly, the same theory exists regarding University grading criteria. Universities are believed to be told that every module and course must follow a normal distribution of results, with only a limited number of people able to receive each grade. Normal distribution shows that a few students performed weakly, with the majority performing well and a small portion performing excellently.


ree
A normal distribution curve

If a large portion of students received a first, the overall value of a ‘first’ would decrease, as it is believed to be relatively easier to attain. The theory regarding marking states that universities mark students in a way that positions them to fall into categories that meet normal distribution. For example, a student that could receive a 2:1 for their work may receive a 2:2 as too many students may already have received this grade and the criteria needs to follow a normal distribution. Similarly, students whose work is equivalent to a 2:1 standard may have their work marked at a first level to also ensure normal distribution is met. As a result, students are graded in a way that positions them into groups to follow normal distribution, and is not an accurate reflection of their academic capabilities.

‘Marking on a curve’ or ‘grading on a curve’ is a method of assigning grades to students in such a way as to obtain a pre-specified distribution of these grades (i.e. normal distribution). Regardless of any difference in the level of difficulty, real or perceived, the grading curve ensures a balanced distribution of academic results.


There is very little evidence to support these theories as current, and current data shows the grading criteria favours students, with the percentage of students who received a first increasing by 44% in five years.



ree
Percentage of grades achieved in the UK (2012-2017)

Comments


Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page