Rubin Revolutionises Exam Feedback

Students from more than half of the University’s departments will soon be able to get proper exam feedback – in what has been called “a really positive step.”

Rubin, SU Education Officer, has worked with academic departments across the university and the University’s Assessment and Feedback Working Group to encourage them to take part a trial that could revolutionise the exam feedback system at Leicester.

There are 16 departments taking part in the trial meaning a huge percentage of the student population is being covered by the scheme. Students studying the following degrees will be able to get their feedback through one of the five methods being tested.

• Archaeology & Ancient History
• Chemistry
• Criminology
• Economics
• Education
• English
• Geography
• Geology
• Historical Studies
• Lifelong Learning
• Management
• Mathematics
• Media & Communications
• Medical & Social Care Education
• Politics & IR
• Psychology

Each department has picked the best feedback option for their students which means feedback will be given through a familiar method. Rubin has encouraged students to contact their department to find out how they will receive their comments.

Some students will be able to view their transcripts whilst others will receive a checkbox sheet which grades elements of essays.

Students might receive one of these for their exams…

Rubin states the whole project derives from the difficulty of not knowing. He said : “[it’s impossible to know] where you’ve gone wrong, just by looking at a percentage mark. I’m delighted that so many departments are taking part in the trial and this can only enhance the overall educational experience for our students.”

He told The Tab: “It’s a really positive step, hopefully even more departments will sign up in future if the pilot goes well”.

Having spoken to students about the trial it seems that a lot of people are viewing it as a step in the right direction. One Third Year History student said: “We already got feedback on our exam performance but the comments were a bit generic. It will be good to get feedback in a similar way to our essays, it means we have specific things to work on for the summer exams”.

Psychology students were also delighted as they don’t normally receive any exam feedback. One student told The Tab: “Getting any feedback would be nice, just some pointers for the exams in the summer would be nice. Not getting any feedback, just a mark, was the worst thing ever. Rubin’s right, you can’t do anything with a sheet of paper with a number on it”.

It’s not clear at the moment whether Rubin will run for another SU position but this policy could do wonders for his chances.

The Maths department took part in the first trial last summer last summer.