Blind Marking of Examinations Policy

Please note that this policy has not yet been revised or converted to the new format.

Blind marking at Monash requires that a student’s end of semester examination script does not hold any personal information about the student other than the student identification number. This policy is intended to reduce the risk of unintentional bias to a student and to protect the marker from accusations of unintentional bias. Staff should ensure that student examinations are marked objectively and that marks awarded are based on the actual achievement of the student and not based on any other factor.

Blind marking is not required in the following circumstances:

• Artistic and performance activities
• Oral examinations
• Laboratory-based examinations
• Class tests
• Assignment
• For Off-Campus Learning students (where the student name is crucial to administrative procedures)

In these circumstances, other measures should be taken to ensure that the risk of unintentional bias is kept to a minimum. Possible methods that could be employed are double marking or panel marking. These methods should be applied wherever possible, where blind marking is not a viable option.

Purpose and Rationale

Blind marking assists to ensure that the examination marking process is a fair and equitable one for all students. The purpose of this policy is to attempt to eliminate inadvertent bias which might occur during the examination marking process and to reassure students of the objectivity of the process.

Scope

This policy applies to all written end of semester examinations conducted by Monash University. The policy does not apply to any other assessment pieces due to practicality and cost constraints. Assignments and any direct panel assessments (eg, artistic and performance activities) are not covered by this policy.

Definitions

Blind marking at Monash is the process where the examination script does not hold any personal information about the student other than the student identification number. Markers shall preserve the anonymity of a student’s identity until the marking of the examination paper is finalised.

Related Documents

• Blind Marking Procedures
• Assessment of Coursework Policy and Procedures
• Graduate/Postgraduate Assessment Policy
• Special Consideration Policy and Procedures
• Examinations Policy and Procedures
• Alternative Arrangements for Assessment Policy and Procedures
• Grading Scale Policy and Procedures
• Plagiarism and Cheating Policy and Procedures

Governing Documents

• Monash University Act 1958
• Statute 6.1.2 Courses and Degrees
• Statute 6.1.5 – Examinations
• Examinations Regulations

Responsibilities for Implementation

At the University-wide level

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Examinations Unit

At the Faculty level

Deans, Associate Deans (Teaching), Heads of Department

Date Effective

Semester One 2005

Approval

Academic Board 5/2004

Review

2 years after implementation

Change to "Responsibilities for Implementation" made by Education Committee Meeting 6/2005, 26 October 2005.