Using marking schemes/rubrics

Good practice in assessment also involves having strong criteria for marking or grading your assessment. Having criteria for marking ensures that all assessments are marked accurately and fairly. Communicating the marking scheme to students means they have an understanding of the quality of work that is expected of them.

Using a marking scheme also allows you to give more specific feedback to students on where marks were lost or gained which gives focus to feedback discussion and how they might improve in the future.

The following resources demonstrate the use of marking schemes or rubrics at university and offer examples across disciplines.

• Simple explanation of rubrics
• Examples of rubrics used at university level and http://www.skidmore.edu/~mmarx/sewid/rubrics.htm and  http://www.usd.edu/teachered/rubricscontents.html.
• Website offering tips for creating rubrics