Script Checker

According to the University's Code of Practice on Assessment, `departments must have in place systems for checking the computation of marks in individual assessments and for whole modules and for ensuring that marks are recorded accurately'.

It is the duty of the script checker to ensure that any such computations performed by the examiner of a module have been done correctly, and that the results of such computations are accurately recorded on the electronic marksheet supplied by the Student Office.

The process by which this is done consists of two stages, the first involves checking the correct marking of exam script and the correct calculation of exam marks. It is important for this stage, that the name of any student on the exam scripts is not revealed before the correctness of all exam marks has been established.

To this end, the examiner should supply the checker with all the exam scripts and the check should, for each script (answer book):

  1. Look at the script to ensure that all work has been marked, and that the addition is correct.
  2. Check that the marks for the questions on the front of the script are correct.
  3. Check that the total is correct.
If there are any problems, the checker should contact the examiner and reconcile those problems. Once this is achieved, the checker should:
  1. Reveal the names on each script by unsealing the flap at the top right.
  2. Sort the scripts into alphabetical order.
  3. Return the scripts to the examiner, who completes the electronic marksheet by filling in the exam marks.

The second stage of the process involves checking the correct transfer of all marks onto the electronic marksheet (for multiple choice exams only this second stage is relevant, as exam marks are supplied by SED).

To this end, the examiner should supply the checker with

  • the exam report form;
  • a printout of the electronic marksheet;
  • a list showing the CA marks of students;
  • the alphabetically sorted exam scripts or, in the case of multiple choice exams, the exam marks supplied by SED.

The checker should then

  1. Check that the exam marks have correctly been transcribed onto the electronic marksheet.
  2. Check that the CA marks have correctly been transcribed onto the electronic marksheet.
  3. Check that the examination:coursework weighting used by the electronic marksheet is correct.
  4. Complete and sign the section of the exam report form documenting the internal checking process.
  5. Return all documents and the exam scripts back to the examiner.
Variations of this two stage process are permissible as long as both examiner and checker agree on how to proceed and it is ensured that the checker is able to confirm the correct marking of all scripts and the correct transfer of all marks onto the electronic marksheet.