Class

Category

%

General Characteristics

Distinction

Exceptional Distinction

96

Exceptional knowledge and understanding of the subject and its underlying concepts significantly beyond what has been taught in all areas; critical evaluation/synthesis/analysis and of reading/research; evidence of breadth and depth of reading/research to inform development of work; excellent communication; performance in all areas deemed beyond expectation of the level. The ability to make decisions and carry out tasks/processes with autonomy; creative flair and the ability to (re)interpret predefined rules/conventions to select and justify individual working practice; highly developed problem-solving skills to complete work with accuracy and fluency. Meets expectations of industry/employment context.

High Distinction

89

Excellent knowledge of the subject as the student is typically able to go beyond what has been taught (particularly for a high Distinction); evidence of breadth of reading/research to inform development of work; demonstrates strong communication skills. Autonomy in the completion of practical tasks/processes; the ability to adapt in response to change or unexpected experiences; excellent technical/artistic decision making; a clear and authoritative grasp of the task/process. Broadly meets expectations of industry/employment context.

Mid Distinction

81

Low Distinction

74

Merit

High Merit

68

Very good to good knowledge and understanding of the area of study as the student is typically able to relate facts/concepts together with some ability to apply to known/taught contexts; evidence of appropriate selection and evaluation of reading/research, some beyond the prescribed range, may rely on set sources to advance work/direct arguments; demonstrates autonomy in approach to learning; strong communication skills. Broadly autonomous completion of practical tasks/processes; ability to adapt in response to change or unexpected experiences; technical/artistic decision making is highly developed; a clear command of the skills relevant to the task/process; ability to reflect on practical work and set future goals within the wider context of industry/workplace. Adherence to standards set by the industry/employment context.

Mid Merit

65

Low Merit

60

Pass

High Pass

55

Good breadth of knowledge and understanding of the taught content balanced towards the descriptive rather than analytical; uses set material to inform development of work; addresses all aspects of the given brief; communication shows clarity, but structure may lack coherence. Competence in technical/artistic skills; tasks/processes are completed with a degree of proficiency and confidence; effective judgements have been made when completing tasks/processes; process/workflow is broadly accurate, and most aspects are completed with autonomy. General adherence to rules/conventions set by the industry/employment context.

Mid Pass

50

Knowledge and understanding sufficient to deal with terminology, basic facts and concepts but fails to make meaningful synthesis; some ability to select and evaluate reading/research however work may be more generally descriptive; strong reliance on available support set sources to advance work; arguments may be weak or poorly constructed; communication/presentation is generally competent but with some weaknesses. Competence in technical/artistic skills; tasks/processes are completed with a degree of proficiency and confidence; tasks are completed with a basic level of independent thought; effective judgements have been made; basic evaluation and analysis of performance in practical tasks is evident. Errors in workflow or completion of the task; general adherence to appropriate rules/conventions set by the industry/employment context.

Low Pass

45

Pass

40

Fail

Fail

35

Insufficient knowledge and understanding of the subject and its underlying concepts; some ability to evaluate given reading/research however work is more generally descriptive; naively follows or may ignore set material in development of work; given brief may be only tangentially addressed or may ignore key aspects of the brief; communication shows limited clarity, poor presentation, structure may not be coherent. Practical tasks are attempted; skill displayed in some areas; there are a significant number of errors; a lack of proficiency in most areas; guidance may be needed to reproduce aspects of the task and/or apply learned skills. Tasks may be incomplete; failure to adhere to some of the rules/conventions set by the industry/employment context.

Low Fail

25

Very Low Fail

10

No evidence of knowledge or understanding of the subject; no understanding of taught concepts, with facts being reproduced in a disjointed or decontextualised manner; ignores set material in development of work; fails to address the requirements of the brief; lacks basic communication skills. A general level of incompetency in practical tasks; an evident lack of practice; set tasks are not completed; few or no skills relating to tasks are evident. No adherence to rules/conventions set by the industry/employment context.

Zero

Zero

0

Work not submitted, work of no merit, penalty in some misconduct cases.