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Summary of Assessment Rules and Regulations: 2010Please note the following regulations pertaining to assessment at the Central University of Technology, Free State for the year 2010. Students are responsible for ensuring that they are aware of and that they understand the various means of assessment for each of the subjects for which they are registered, as explained in the study guide. 1. DEFINITIONS 1.1 “Unit or assessment unit”: Courses/modules are sometimes divided into two or more units that are assessed independently and possibly at different times of the year. Generally the different units of a course/module do not have a final mark. The following unit assessment guidelines apply: (i) Assessments are usually conducted in June and November and students must ensure that they are fully aware of which unit assessments will be conducted and when. (ii) Only the skills and outcomes covered in a unit are assessed during the summative assessment. (iii) A final mark is only calculated at the end of the course/module. 1.2 “Supplementary assessment”: An examiner/assessor may summon a candidate for assessment as an extension of the original summative assessment and this may take the form of an oral, a project or portfolio, or a practical work assessment. The learning aims and achievements covered in such a supplementary assessment are the same as in the preceding summative assessment. The following administrative provisions govern supplementary assessments: (i) All students who have achieved a final assessment mark of between 48% and 49% at the end of a module or unit are summoned by the examiner/assessor for a supplementary assessment to confirm the assessment result. (ii) A notice with the particulars of candidates summoned for a supplementary assessment is published on the departmental/school notice-boards within four (4) working days after the conclusion of the summative assessment in question. (iii) It is the responsibility of the student to be acquainted with a summons to attend a supplementary assessment, in particular the date, time and venue of assessment. The CUT accepts no responsibility/liability in this regard. 1.3 “Reassessment”: Unless otherwise stated in the faculty rules, this is an additional assessment opportunity granted to a candidate who has achieved a final mark of between 45% and 49% for a course/module and who wishes to improve the final mark to 50%. Reassessment is granted under the following administrative conditions: (i) Reassessment of a year course/module (with two or more units) takes place directly after the assessment of the last unit and covers the learning aims and achievements of all units. (ii) Reassessment of all other modules takes place immediately after the formal summative assessment sessions scheduled in June and November. (iii) There is no further assessment opportunity additional to reassessment. 1.4 “Final mark” or “final course mark” for a course/module: This is a composite continuous assessment and summative assessment mark determined in a manner prescribed by the Faculty Board.
1.5 “Deferred assessment” or “deferred summative assessment”: This assessment opportunity is offered to a student unable to participate in the scheduled summative assessment sessions due to illness or special personal circumstances. Deferred assessment sessions are governed by the following administrative rules: (i) If needed, such a session is scheduled immediately or directly after the June and November summative assessment schedule. (ii) A deferred summative assessment may only be considered if the affected student makes a formal application with proof (e.g. medical certificate, etc.) and submits the application to the Examination Section within three (3) working days after the scheduled summative assessment session of a particular course/module. (iii) There is no further assessment opportunity additional to deferred assessment. 1.6 “Progress report” or “student progress report”: A report indicating the progress of each student is mailed to all registered students and their identified sponsors at the end of each quarter. Progress reports between the summative assessment periods are based on the student’s continuous assessment marks.
1.7 “Statement of results”: This is a summary of the final marks over all course/modules already completed and is issued to students following completion of the June and November summative assessments. 1.8 “Exit certificate”: A certificate issued on request to a student on completion of 1 or 2 formal credits of an instructional programme. 1.9 “Admission Mark”: A course mark of 40% needed to be allowed to write a summative assessment. 2. ASSESSMENT MODEL FOR ALL PROGRAMMES: 2010 Unless otherwise determined by a resolution of the Senate: 2.1 Year subjects
2.2 Semester subjects
3. ASSESSMENT AND RESULTS (ALL faculties unless otherwise specified) 3.1 A Subject is considered a credit, and therefore the following provisions apply:
· A student must pass any subject that is a prerequisite for another subject before he/she may register for the next level of the subject concerned.
· The pass requirements for a specific subject are as follows: A result is determined from a calculated average of tests and assessment opportunities. The minimum pass mark per subject is 50%. The minimum final mark needed to pass a subject with distinction is 75%.
· Please note that once a student has been granted a re assessment or a special assessment as a result of illness or some other reason, no additional such assessment will be granted. 3.2 THE 2010 RULES FOR ALL PROGRAMMES: 1. A sub-minimum mark of 50% for all Engineering programmes accumulated for practical work and projects in specified subjects is compulsory to gain access to the relevant assessment session and to pass the subject. This rule applies to all those subjects identified as such in the study guides. 2. An admission mark of at least 40% is required for main assessments. 3. A reassessment is granted to a candidate who has achieved a final mark of 45% - 49% in a subject. The reassessment of a year subject – covering the subject content of the entire year – takes place directly after the main assessment in November. The reassessment of semester subjects takes place immediately after the main assessment in June, while the reassessment of second-semester and year subjects takes place in November. 3.3 Assessment timetables 3.3.1 A ssessment timetables are not mailed to students. 3.3.2 The assessment timetable is published on the central notice-boards and the internet ( www.cut.ac.za ) in accordance with the year programme. 3.3.3 It is the duty of every student to be fully aware of the dates, times and venues of assessments. The Central University of Technology, Free State accepts no responsibility/liability for any damages, now or in the future, of any nature whatsoever, resulting from or related in any manner to a student's failure to attend an assessment. 3.4 Publication of summative assessment results 3.4.1 Following the summative assessments and in accordance with the year programme, the Assistant Registrar: Academic Structure, Assessment and Graduation forward the summative assessment results to candidates by means of a statement of results. The summative assessment results are also published on the official notice-boards of the CUT. No results are supplied telephonically. Assessment results are available on the internet and via the MTN telephone service, but the CUT accepts no liability of any nature for the accuracy, correctness or timeliness of these notices. Assessment results on the notice-boards are identified by means of student numbers only so as to protect the privacy of each individual. 3.4.2 With the exception of the official notice of assessment results published by the Examination Section, no academic or support personnel may divulge summative assessment results to any candidate. The CUT accepts no responsibility for any consequences of such unofficial communication of assessment results, nor does it accept any liability whatsoever for any consequences arising from refusal to divulge assessment results. 3.4.3 A candidate who has any CUT fees in arrears or who does not comply with the admission requirements is not entitled to receive his/her final marks in the courses/modules in which he/she enrolled. The CUT accepts no responsibility for any consequences arising from the withholding of any results. 3.5 Supplementary assessment 3.5.1 Grounds for granting a supplementary assessment (1) In accordance with the approved rules formulated by the relevant faculty and on completion of the prescribed summative assessment, the examiner/assessor may summon a candidate for a supplementary assessment in any course/module as an extension of the original assessment. Such a supplementary assessment is administrated as a whole, at the discretion of the relevant school, provided it does not take place more than four (4) working days after the closing of the summative assessment period announced in the CUT Calendar and/or year programme. If a candidate fails to report for a supplementary assessment, his/her original marks are then confirmed as the summative assessment mark. (2) No supplementary assessment is granted on the grounds that a student has mistaken the time, date or place of a summative assessment opportunity. This rule applies to all other assessment opportunities, as well as all assignments and projects. 3.5.2 Nature and requirements of supplementary assessment (1) An examiner/assessor may summon a candidate for assessment as an extension of the original summative assessment and this may take the form of an oral, a project or portfolio, or a practical work assessment. The learning aims and achievements covered in such a supplementary assessment are the same as in the preceding summative assessment. The following administrative provisions govern supplementary assessments: (i) All students who have achieved between 48% and 49% in the summative assessment at the end of a module or unit are also summoned by the examiner/assessor for a supplementary assessment to confirm the assessment result. (ii) A notice with the particulars of candidates summoned for a supplementary assessment is published on the departmental/school notice-boards within four (4) working days after the conclusion of the summative assessment in question. (iii) It is the responsibility of the student to be acquainted with a summons to attend a supplementary assessment, in particular the date, time and venue of such assessment. The CUT accepts no responsibility/liability in this regard. (2) The examiner/assessor may verbally advise students of the supplementary assessment schedule and it is the responsibility of the student to ask the examiner/assessor about this assessment opportunity. The CUT also accepts no responsibility/liability in this regard. 3.6 Reassessment 3.6.1 Unless otherwise stated in the faculty rules, this is an assessment opportunity granted to a candidate who has achieved a final mark of between 45% and 49% for a course/module and who wishes to improve the final mark to 50%. Reassessment is granted under the following administrative conditions: (1) Reassessment of a year course/module (with two or more units) takes place directly after the summative assessment of the last unit and covers the learning aims and achievements of all units. (2) Reassessment shall in all material academic respects conform to the planned summative assessment stipulations of the course/module. (3) Reassessment of all other modules takes place immediately after the formal summative assessment sessions scheduled in June and November. (4) There is no further assessment additional to a reassessment. 3.6.2 The candidates qualifying for reassessment are identified by the examiner and their names are communicated to the Assistant Registrar: Academic Structure, Assessment and Graduation for publication on the central notice-boards at least four (4) working days before the reassessment is to be conducted. Again, it is the responsibility of every student to be acquainted with such notices, and the CUT accepts no responsibility in this regard. 3.7 Deferred assessment 3.7.1 This assessment opportunity is offered to a student unable to participate in the scheduled summative assessment session(s) due to illness or on medical grounds or due to special personal circumstances. Deferred assessment sessions are governed by the following administrative rules: (1) If needed, they are scheduled immediately or directly following conclusion of the June and November summative assessment schedule. (2) A deferred summative assessment may only be considered if the affected student makes a formal application with proof (e.g. medical certificate, etc.) and submits the application to the Examination Section within three (3) working days after the scheduled summative assessment session of a particular course/module. (3) There is no further assessment opportunity additional to a deferred assessment. 3.7.2 The same grounds listed above also apply to an application for a deferred assessment or other assessment opportunity called for and administered within a particular faculty. No deferred assessments are considered or granted on the grounds that a student has mistaken the date, time or place of an assessment 3.7.3 Application for deferred assessment should be lodged on the prescribed form in accordance with policy and procedure, but no later than three (3) working days after the assessment. A medical or other registered professional report or other appropriate credible evidence must support the application, and the report must specifically include the following information: (1) The date of professional consultation (applications in cases where the medical practitioner was visited after the date of the assessment opportunity will not be considered). (2) The severity and duration of the complaint. (3) The medical practitioner’s opinion on how the reported condition could adversely impact on the student’s assessment preparation and/or performance. 3.7.4 If a student qualifies for a deferred assessment opportunity but nevertheless participates in a course/module assessment, he/she loses all rights or claims to a deferred assessment. 3.7.5 Should a student contract a communicable disease (e.g. chicken pox, measles, etc.) during the period of the summative assessment, he/she must consult a medical practitioner immediately to determine whether he/she is medically fit to continue participating in any or all further assessments. If the recommendation is that the student is unable to participate in any assessment(s), the absence will be treated as absence on valid grounds; otherwise arrangements will be made to hold the assessment(s) in a quarantine room. 3.7.6 Special assessment opportunity: A student who requires only a single course/module to meet all the requirements for a degree/diploma/certificate, but who has previously unsuccessfully participated in the course/module in question, qualifies for a special assessment opportunity in the course/module provided that he/she complies with the following criteria: (1) There should be only one (1) course/module outstanding in order for the registered qualification to be awarded. (2) The student must have unsuccessfully participated during his/her final year of study in the course/module outstanding for the qualification to be awarded. In cases where the CUT fails to present a course/module or where courses/modules are presented in cycles over a period of one year or longer, special permission may be granted by the faculty for a special assessment opportunity if the course/module was offered previously. (3) A candidate must apply in writing to the Examination Section for a special assessment opportunity on the prescribed form or alternatively submit his/her application by registered mail. An administrative fee is payable before any application will be processed. (4) All applications for a special assessment opportunity must reach the Examination Section within two (2) weeks after publication of the assessment outcomes/results. The CUT will not under any circumstances grant a concession with regard to this deadline. 3.7.7 Scheduling of deferred and special assessments (1) Unless the Senate decides otherwise, deferred and special assessments are conducted at the end of each semester. (2) Subject to the special circumstances stipulated, the Assistant Registrar: Academic Structure, Assessment and Graduation may schedule alternative dates for special assessment opportunities and communicate the dates, times and venues for these opportunities to the affected students. (3) Deferred and special assessments shall in all material academic respects conform to the planned summative assessment stipulations of the course/module. 3.8 Assessment result/outcome notations 3.8.1 Assessment result/outcome symbols All courses/modules are assessed and a final mark is awarded. The final mark (irrespective of any numeric value) is coded according to the following approved academic progress symbols:
3.8.2 Date of issue of qualifications
The date of issue of a qualification is the first day of the month following the month in which the assessment results/outcomes of the last summative assessment were published by the Examination Section. 3.8.3 Awarding of qualifications cum laude (i.e. with honours) Subject to the approval of the Senate, as well as compliance with the applicable rules of the relevant faculty, a qualification can be awarded cum laude provided the candidate meets the following criteria: (1) The candidate has participated in and successfully completed all courses/modules prescribed for a qualification of the CUT; (2) The candidate has passed or successfully completed all the prescribed courses/modules of the qualification on the first attempt; (3) The candidate achieved an overall average of 75% or above for all courses/modules prescribed for the qualification; (4) The candidate achieved an overall average of 75% or above for all exit-level courses/modules prescribed for a qualification. 3.8.4 The following qualifications are awarded during official CUT graduation ceremonies: 3.8.4.1 National diplomas 3.8.4.2 Degrees 3.8.4.3 M. Tech degrees 3.8.4.4 D. Tech degrees 3.8.4.5 PhD degrees Only national certificates, national higher certificates and postgraduate certificates issued on completion of an official, registered qualification are awarded during the graduation ceremonies. No exit certificates or exit higher certificates will be awarded during a graduation ceremony. If a student wishes to be issued with an exit certificate, he/she must apply for such to the Examination Section. This exit certificate will then be issued to the student, but will not be handed over during an official graduation ceremony. 3.9 Academic review of student progress 3.9.1 Unsatisfactory academic progress 3.9.1.1 A student is considered to be academically unsuccessful: · When a first-year student failed all his/her subjects; · When a senior student failed 50% of credits for subjects enrolled for in two consecutive attempts and/or cancelled some or all courses/modules after registration control day. 3.9.1.2 In the case of fulltime students, the qualification must be completed in the minimum stipulated study period plus an additional complement / add-on of half of the minimum study period. In essence this implies that the period will be rounded off to the next complete academic year, and a three year qualification for example, must therefore be completed within the maximum period of five years. 3.9.1.3 Part-time students must complete the qualification in double the minimum study period allowed. This means that a three year qualification for example, must be completed within the maximum period of six years by part-time students. 3.9.1.4 Students must, however, note that if the qualification is phased out, Senate will decide on ad hoc arrangements which need to be implemented to resolve the matter. 3.9.2 Prognosis of unsatisfactory academic progress A student is identified as “academically at risk” on the basis of the same criteria as stipulated in par. 3.9.1, but applied only to the continuous assessment marks as on the third Monday in April (for the first semester) and September (for the second semester) or the working day immediately thereafter. To make this determination, faculties must ensure that each student have a continuous assessment mark on official database. 3.10 Procedure for student objections or appeals The following objection or appeal procedure is available to students against whom the Assessment Committee or the faculty invoked the academic progress support as outlined in the assessment manual: (1) Supported by the relevant evidence a student may lodge a written objection to the Assessment Committee regarding the decision. (2) Student objections must be lodged by on the last working day on or before the dates specified below. Alternative dates may be published in the annual programme.
(3) On receipt of an appeal or objection the Assessment Committee will convene an Appeal Committee consisting of the following members: (i) Registrar (ii) Dean or a senior academic representative of the faculty concerned (iii) Head of the Student Administration Section (iv) Dean: Student Services (v) SRC member delegated by the SRC (4) When objections or appeals are considered by the Appeal Committee, the following factors will be taken into account: (i) The academic ability of the specific student as measured by the academic record of the student, as well as the time limit allowed for completion of the courses/modules prescribed by the curriculum or the enrolment contract; (ii) The institutional duty to encourage and support: (a) Student success, even if this success is based on reduced learning targets; and/or (b) Student compliance with contractual obligations. (iii) If applicable, the current enrolment against any enrolment limits, if any. In this regard, the Appeal Committee have no jurisdiction to vary existing enrolment limits. (5) The decision of the Appeal Committee will be communicated in writing to the student by Student Administration Section. Likewise, the decision will be reported to the Assessment Committee. (6) A student aggrieved by the decision of the Appeal Committee may lodge a final appeal or objection to the Executive Committee of Senate for a final ruling on the matter. 4. RE-MARKING
Re-marking means that an assignment/answer script, which has not been altered or extended by the student, is marked for a second time. 4.1 In accordance with the provisions in the Student Assessment Manual of the Central University of Technology, Free State, should a student feel that an individual assignment/answer script has been marked unfairly or inappropriately, a request for re-marking (on the prescribed form) may be addressed to the Assistant Registrar: Academic Structure, Assessment and Graduation within three (3) weeks after publication of the results. An administrative fee per subject is payable before any application will be processed. 4.2 An assignment may only be submitted once for re-marking. 4.3 If the re-marking culminates in an amended mark or result, that result is the final result. 5. EXTRA TIME DURING ASSESSMENTS
In accordance with the Policy and procedure for the granting of extra time and other concessions during officially scheduled tests and assessments at the Central University of Technology, Free State, extra time is allocated to persons with obvious physical, psychological or emotional disabilities to allow them to complete their tests and assessments. Alternative arrangements are also made where necessary, e.g. oral assessments may be permitted. 5.1 A maximum of 15 minutes extra per hour is allowed. 5.2 The allocation of extra time is indicated on the diploma/degree/certificate of the student. 5.3 Students must apply for extra time at the Centre for Counselling, using form LS227.1 ( Application for the granting of extra time or other concessions during officially scheduled tests and/or assessments of the Central University of Technology, Free State), at least two (2) weeks before classes begin. Applications must be accompanied by supporting documentation. 6. SUBJECT RECOGNITION 6.1 In accordance with the Policy and procedure with regard to subject recognition of prior learning, qualifying for the issuing of a qualification, and recognition of qualifications of South African as well as foreign students, applicants requesting credit must address a written application on the prescribed form to the Examination Section. Satisfactory documentary evidence in support of such applications must be provided. An administrative fee per subject is payable before any application will be processed. 6.2 “The holder of a University qualification certificate must have (a) Complied with the admission requirements for the qualification, including the admission requirements of the courses/module prescribed for the qualification: (b) Been assessed and found competent in all the competences and skills prescribed for the qualification; (c) Completed more than 50 % of the credits of the prescribed courses/modules for the qualification with the University; and (d) Completed more than 60 % of the credits of the exit or final academic year of the prescribed curriculum for the qualification with the University”. 6.3 Final dates for the submission of applications for subject recognition at the Examination Section:
For registration during semester 1 and for year courses: 20 January For registration during semester 2: 15 July
7. GENERAL INFORMATION 7.1 The results and assessment timetables for the various assessment opportunities are available as follows:
· Publication on central notice-boards
· Results mailed to each candidate (NB: Assessment timetables are not mailed to candidates)
· MTN answering service: 083 123 1000
· Internet: www.cut.ac.za 7.2 Please note that it is sometimes necessary to divide large class groups into smaller groups during assessments. Student must consult the individual assessment timetables on the central notice-boards for information on the venue in which the assessment is to be conducted. 7.3 No cellular phones are permitted in the venues. The CUT accepts no responsibility/liability for any loss of, or damage to, personal property in assessment venues. 7.4 The central notice-boards are situated between the Artec Hall and the Gymnasium. NB: The building codes are published below for your convenience.
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last modified: 17 Feb 2010 10:54 AM |
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