University courses use a combination of assessment methods. The forms of assessment your child will engage with will depend on the discipline they are studying. Examples of assessment methods are: exams, group assignments, essays, lab reports, prac exercises, oral presentations and performance.
Some first year students are a bit disappointed when they receive their first results at uni, which may be lower than they were used to receiving at school. Each institution has its own marking and grading system, and it takes a while for students to adjust to the new assessment styles.
Most students will be reassured to find out what the average mark in the class was, so encourage your child to talk to other students and to ask their tutor for advice if they’re not happy with their marks.
Results can take several weeks to become available after the final assessment has been completed. Results are given directly to the student: you can only find out the results by asking your child!
What if things go wrong?
If a student’s results aren’t as good as they hoped, they can always ask the lecturer or tutor for advice about how to improve, or visit their university’s learning skills service to speak to an adviser and learn some new study strategies.
Universities understand that students have complex lives outside of university, so if personal issues or illness impact on study, there are processes in place like assignment extensions or ’special consideration’. It’s important that students contact their faculty office early if they need such support.