The requirements for assessment are outlined in the Assessment (coursework, tests and examinations) policy and the Teaching delivery, coursework, tests and examinations policy for 2021. Consideration must also be given to the principles of assessment. See also the University operations at different COVID-19 alert levels.
Assessment redesign
Design assessments to promote higher-order thinking.
Tests and exams
Guidelines for the delivery of online, non-invigilated assessments.
Inspera
Learn about Inspera for delivering online, non-invigilated final exams.
Marking and grading
Using rubrics, Canvas SpeedGrader and Inspera Grader.
Assessment policy for 2021
- Subject to approval by the academic head or delegate, course directors may make reasonable adjustments to published assessment arrangements up until the start of teaching a course.
- All students must be notified about changes to assessments via a Canvas Announcement and updated Canvas information. Assessment information must be current in both Canvas and Course View.
- Read about the modified compassionate consideration procedure for tests and quizzes (scheduled 23-29 August) during alert level 4. The Compassionate Consideration Application Form is available on the University website.
To ensure fairness for students, changes to assessment after the start of teaching in a course may only be made where:
- The University is required to shift to different COVID-19 alert level conditions—or where emerging local or regional situations have unacceptably elevated the risk—and changes to assessment arrangements are required to ensure the viability of assessment and/or fairness for students.
- Students must be informed as early as possible where changes of alert levels or emergency measures require changes to assessment or delivery.
See also guidelines for higher-risk students.
Please refer to the Teaching delivery, coursework, tests and examinations policy for 2021.
Definitions
- A test is defined as an assessment that would ordinarily be conducted in an invigilated setting at a specified time outside of the examination period, that counts towards the final grade of the course, and is time-limited. At COVID-19 alert level 1, tests will be conducted onsite under invigilated conditions. At level 2 or higher, tests will be conducted online as time-limited, non-invigilated assessments.
Note:- Some tests with approved exceptions by an Associate Dean (Academic) through faculty committees may be conducted on site at alert level 2.
- University teaching activities in remote locations or on campuses outside of Auckland may be taking place under different alert level conditions.
- A quiz is defined as an assessment that counts towards the final grade of the course, is non-invigilated, may be conducted online, and usually has a lower assessment weighting than a test.
- An exam is defined as a summative, time-limited final assessment that is conducted at a specified time as per the examination timetable.
COVID-19 alert levels – teaching delivery, tests and coursework arrangements
Alert Level 1 - Prepare
- All teaching and usual activities are provided on campus.
- Where courses have compulsory requirements (e.g. laboratories, placements) students will be expected to attend (except for those studying off-shore or approved to be studying remotely).
- While the Ministry of Education allows exams and tests to be conducted on campus, the University has decided that exams in Semester One, Quarter One and Quarter Two will be held online, regardless of the alert level (with some exceptions, particularly for courses requiring professional accreditation).
- Invigilated tests are held on campus. All students are expected to sit tests on campus unless they are studying off-shore, enrolled in an online course, approved to be studying remotely, or observing Government COVID-19 guidelines to remain at home temporarily.
- Online versions of tests ordinarily sat under invigilated conditions may only be taken by students studying off-shore, approved to be studying remotely, or enrolled in online courses.
- Exams will be conducted in non-invigilated, online, time-limited settings regardless of COVID-19 alert level.
Aegrotat and compassionate consideration
- Students who are at high risk of harm from COVID-19 and need to continue their studies remotely, need to fill out a Health Consideration Form.
- Students approved for an aegrotat or compassionate consideration for a test may be permitted (at the discretion of an Academic Head) to:
- Sit another written test.
- Receive a mark for the test based on the average of marks awarded for other coursework.
- Take a viva voce (oral) examination.
- Have the percentage of marks allocated to the test reallocated to the examination.
- Where possible, we recommend that students sit an alternative, on-site deferred test to ensure that a component of secure assessment is available should the student require an aegrotat for the final examination. Alternative test questions must be of comparable difficulty and format.
Alert Level 2 - Reduce
- Most teaching, coursework assessment, and the majority of tests will be conducted online unless an exemption is approved by an Associate Dean (Academic) through faculty committees.
Note: University teaching activities in locations or on campuses outside of Auckland may be taking place under different alert level conditions. - A number of criteria need to be met to approve an exemption to allow onsite teaching activities including ‘agreement and approval that the acquisition and practice of practical skills cannot be achieved by remote learning or that a physical event or the use of physical resources from a University site is necessary for the continuation of student progress.
- Where students based in New Zealand need to remain at home to observe Government COVID-19 guidelines regarding respiratory illnesses, or are approved to be studying remotely, alternative arrangements must be in place for compulsory attendance events that have an exemption to take place on campus. These could include, for example, a brief written activity or attending a laboratory in another stream where possible.
- Students who are at high risk of harm from COVID-19 and need to continue their studies remotely, need to fill out a Health Consideration Form.
- Tests and exams will be conducted in non-invigilated, online, time-limited settings regardless of alert level.
- For tests and exams, the usual processes for special conditions, aegrotat and compassionate consideration will apply.
- Spaces may be available at some Alert Levels for students who need a suitable study space to complete an online test. This process will be managed centrally and in accordance with Government guidelines.
Alert Level 3 - Restrict
- Remote teaching mode. All teaching delivery and assessments including labs and studios provided online (with some limited and managed exceptions).
- Tests and exams will be conducted in non-invigilated, online, time-limited settings regardless of alert level.
- For tests and exams, the usual processes for special conditions, aegrotat and compassionate consideration will apply.
- At alert levels 3 and 4, the requirement—in the Assessment (Courses, Tests and Examination) Policy—that ‘tests which count towards the final result of a course will be conducted under examination conditions’ is waived.
- Limited study spaces and computer labs available at selected campuses for students.
Alert Level 4 - Lockdown
Read about the modified compassionate consideration procedure for tests and quizzes (scheduled 23-29 August) during alert level 4.
- No on-campus classes are allowed.
- Remote teaching mode. All teaching delivery including labs and studios, and assessment will be online.
- Tests and exams will be conducted in non-invigilated, online, time-limited settings regardless of alert level.
- For tests and exams, the usual processes for special conditions, aegrotat and compassionate consideration will apply.
- At alert levels 3 and 4 the requirement—in the Assessment (Courses, Tests and Examination) Policy—that ‘tests which count towards the final result of a course will be conducted under examination conditions’ is waived.
- The Compassionate Consideration Application Form for tests and quizzes during alert level 4 is on the University website.