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Bell Curve?

  • 14-11-2012 11:14pm
    #1
    AnnaTorvFan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 77 ✭✭


    Hi :)
    My uncle informed me that the JC was marked differently this year as it was marked on a bell curve? Could someone explain what this means? :)


Comments

  • #2
    spurious
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 27,327 CMod ✭✭✭✭spurious


    The JC and LC are always marked on a bell curve.

    This means that the marking scheme is adjusted during the marking process so that roughly the same number of A grades and 'fail' grades are achieved each year. It is called a bell curve because when you graph the results, the graph is bell-shaped or rather 'hat squashed off to the side' shaped, but originally it would have been bell-shaped.

    It is to counteract a situation where, for example, a B in 2005 is seen as better than an A in 2006, because the exam was easier in 2006. Of course there will be years where a paper is seen as easier or more difficult than previous ones and the bell-curve means candidates have the same chance of an A grade, no matter what year they sit the exam.

    A B is a B is a B when the bell curve it used. It is a very common tool in exams internationally.


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