Weighting FAQs

Where can I set a Weighting?

Weighting can be applied to:

• Assessment groups
• Assessments
• Assessment criteria
• Assessment types

Are Weightings out of 100?

No, they are not percentages. Rather, weightings are simply a proportion of a number that is the total of all weightings. 

EXAMPLE:

Your weightings could be Crit1=1, Crit2=4, Crit3=8; so 

• Crit1 will be weighted (1/13)*max value
• Crit2 will be weighted (4/13)*max value
• Crit3 will be weighted (8/13)*max value)
  
  

Can I set an assessment weighting of zero?

Yes, this is a common method of ensuring that formative assessments are recorded, but not used for summative calculations.

Does setting all Weightings the same ensure all Criteria are weighted the same?

Setting your Weightings all the same does not mean all Criteria are Weighted the same, because the weighting calculation takes into account the Max Value of the Criterion. If not using Max Value this is not relevant.

Why can't I set Weightings on the Criterion?

In order for a Programme to utilize Criterion weights, the Course Type used in that Programme must be adjusted to allow their use. This can be done by selecting the Allow criterion weights option for the Course Type via Administration workspace>Curriculum setup>Course types and tick Allow criterion weights.

How can I ensure the Weightings set on Outcomes/Syllabus are correct?

If there are multiple Criteria in the one Assessment that are linked to the same Outcome, ensure they have the same Max Score. If the Criteria have different Max Scores use one of the following methods:

• Enable Criterion Weighting and set the Weighting for each Criterion to be the same as the Max Score.
• Create separate Assessments for each Criterion with the same Outcome.

Which option is best to use, Assessment Type weightings or Criterion weightings?

In most cases, Criterion weightings are the recommended option. There are limitations when using Assessment type weightings; for example they do not calculate across Assessment Groups. Weighting applied to Assessment types is only calculated in proportion to criteria of the same Assessment type. The Assessment type is set per criterion.

If Criterion weighting is switched on for a course type, then it is not possible to use Assessment types.

What are Assessment types used for?

They are used where stringent requirements are set when specific proportions of the overall mark must be determined from different assessment types, such as Investigations and Responses, Practical and Written, etc

Related articles:

Introduction to Curriculum (Full Manual)