Mark Schemes

System
System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 18 in AAT student discussion
One of the questions that comes up very regularly concerns what marks you can get for each task.
The standard reply has been that these are not disclosed as the exams test competency.

I have thought about the usefulness of seeing how many marks are given on each task and wondered if anyone else would find this suggestion useful.

Skills tests are marked by lecturers like me. We are given the criteria that students must achieve to pass a task. You may have seen these, for example I have seen ECR skills test state that a candidate is allowed one error such as an incorrect valuation of an issue from the stores, but is not allowed an arithmetical error as this type of error can be eliminated by checking the total issue values against the receipt and closing stock values. This is clear, anyone knows what has to be done to pass each task.

I will be writing to the Exams Manager at AAT to ask for criteria to pass each task on the exam papers to be published. I think it provides the vital information that shows what is acceptable and what is not. But it doesn't give specific marks.

Competency means that if you fail any section of an exam you cannot pass the whole paper.
If there are forum users who would welcome this suggestion, or would like to put forward alternatives, please pop a reply onto this thread. If my suggestion is unclear in any area, say which part you'd like more details on.

Thanks

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Mark Schemes

    Of course we would do, but that would allow us to calculate a % we get and the AAT are reluctant to give that because the fluctuate it so often ??

    Also, on a side-note, does anyone know if anyone has published there version of the answers online since the question papers have been released online. I would like to see if I can compare my answers why its "kind of" still fresh in my mind.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Mark Schemes

    I think it would be more useful to have an idea of what made a candidate competent and what didn't as then you could know what your weak areas were on the exam and what you needed to work on if you had failed.

    I find on the written questions you are not sure how brief to be on the commenting questions and how much they are looking for you to write in a memo or report and what needs to be covered, some idea of the competency level would help in this regard too I think.

    I much prefer exams where a mark is put by the question so you know how to allocate your time and know whether you are mucking up a valuable question!!

    I came out of the DFS exam knowing I had not balanced my consolidated balance sheet and also that I didn't know enough on accounting policies but I don't know whether this will mean I'm competent or not, if I fail I would find it easier to know why I failed rather than just a blanket fail.

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Mark Schemes

    Hi All,
    I do agree with tigerlily. sometimes you're not sure how much information you are required to give. For eg. PEV exam Task 1.3 comment on the Manager's.................... you basically have to use your judgement on a question like that. The AAT does not necessarily have to give us the pass marks as this is a competence based exam. However, some guidelines should be given to Tutors to pass on to their students.
    Sandy, I think your suggestion will be a good idea and I am sure we will all benefit from it.
    lollypops
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Mark Schemes

    Thank you for this post. I know that most of the students I study with would all agree that some form of scheme for knowing what has been acceptable (or not) is needed. We all work really hard to pass these exams, and whether we pass or fail, we all would like to know where we could have improved our work
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Mark Schemes

    It would definately be useful to know the criteria required to be compentent to pass an exam paper.

    This was my second attempt at the PEV exam and although for my previous exam I received details of which section I wasn't compent in I would have found it useful to know what I had done incorrectly or even some guidelines as to what is required for each task to pass.

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Mark Schemes

    Hi

    I think information on marking schemes cant help but be a good thing, even if only to quosh the rumours of how the AAT mark papers!

    However, I dont think it should provided through tutors/centres alone - as seems the norm for the AAT. This doesnt onlu mean that students may not freely have access to the information, but since students are paid subscribers of the association the AAT should be decent enough to communicate with them directly.

    Neil
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Mark Schemes

    That would be great. Also, does anyone have any suggested answers for the Personal Tax, Business Tax and DFS - Industry and Commerce papers.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Mark Schemes

    Neil
    The Skills Test Criteria can be shown to candidates by their tutors after they have taken the test.
    I propose that along with the suggested answer, the examiner would submit the criteria needed to pass to Julian or Malcolm so that it can also be accessed on the website.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Mark Schemes

    Hi Sandy

    I think that would be a good idea, as even students with direct access to a tutor don't necessarily have one that is forthcoming with information.

    Neil
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Mark Schemes

    Hi
    I would find it really useful to see how the AAT marks exam papers and I think it would be a great study aid.

    I also think it's a shame that you only either pass or fail AAT exams - if there were grades such as merit or distinction it could be an incentive to improve performance and would provide a clearer indicator of how you were doing.

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