ROLE OF THE EXTERNAL EXAMINER

1. ROLE OF THE EXTERNAL EXAMINER How the system works at the RVC

2. Useful information • http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/COP_external.pdf

3. Useful information • http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/Quality_Code_for_Higher_Edu • ation_Chp_B7_External_examining.pdf • Is to be implemented from 2012/13

4. The main purposes of external examining are: • to verify that academic standards are appropriate for the award, or part thereof (appointed to examine); • to help institutions assure and maintain academic standards across HE awards; • to help institutions to ensure that their assessment processes are sound, operated fairly and in line with the institution's policies and regulations.

5. Externality Professional external auditing bodies e.g. RCVS, AVMA, EAVE • External examiners • Periodic reviews (<6yr) National HE benchmark statements FHEQ • “Consumers” • Employers • Graduates Future for Quality assurance (HEFCE/QAA) Increased external contribution Students more central role

6. An external examiner is: • core definition • a person from another institution or organisation who monitors the assessment process of our institution for fairness and academic standards

7. Process of appointment Approach by chair of boards of examiners Nomination submitted to AQ manager Nomination scrutinised by TQC Endorsed by Academic Board

8. “Institutions will make every effort to ensure that their external examiners are competent to undertake the responsibilities defined in their contract.” • Team Concept • ‘Team’ of examiners should satisfy criteria laid down in the Instructions….

9. Institutions should ensure that, once appointed, external examiners are provided with sufficient information and support to enable them to carry out their responsibilities effectively. • Specifically, external examiners must be properly prepared by the recruiting institution to ensure they understand and can fulfil their responsibilities. • Accompanying paperwork should be comprehensive. • If any doubt please inform us (we can always provide more than the 20 items outlined in QA manual!)

10. Information we provide you with: • Overall objectives for part of course you examine • Learning objectives • Course work - with contribution to in-course assessment specified • Examination papers, marking scheme and mark descriptors

11. Common Grading Scheme • Helps alleviate student doubt regarding requirements • Helps alleviate staff doubt regarding their own marking • Highlights link between quality of answer and mark (twice) • Widens the range of marks (35-70% problem) • Criterion-referenced marking • Uses the entire 0-100% range • Uses 17 point marking scale (~20 grades max. resolution) • Feedback from Examiners positive (Q. in your report?)

12. Information we provide you with: • Examination questions should be sent to you, for scrutiny, well in advance of the examination • All questions should be provided with key point model answers and, if appropriate, how marks are to be allocated for sub-sections of questions

13. External examiners should see: • Completed course work contributing to in-course assessment • Written scripts • (to assess validity and reliability of marking) • Practical exams (questions and answer sheets) • Mark sheets and associated statistics • List of candidates taking oral exams/structured • orals at re-sits

14. External examiners’ reports • “External examiners are appointed by an institution and their reports are an important component of an institution's internal and external quality assurance processes.” No report = No fee!

15. An institution should ask its external examiners, in their expert judgement, to report on: • whether the academic standards set for its awards, or part thereof, are appropriate; • the extent to which its assessment processes are rigorous, ensure equity of treatment for students and have been fairly conducted within institutional regulations and guidance; • the standards of student performance in the programmes, or parts of programmes, which they have been appointed to examine; • where appropriate, the comparability of the standards and student achievements with those in some other higher education institutions; • good practice they have identified.

16. Process of consideration Report considered by QA manager Issues requiring response identified • Issues forwarded to: • Examination Board Chair • Head of Department • Course director • Course Management Committee

17. Process of consideration Response required within 3 weeks Comments and responses collated by AQ manager Forwarded to TQC for consideration Comments and responses circulated to External examiners, CMC & Academic Board

18. Closing the loop • Have concerns that you have raised been addressed adequately? • Opportunity to respond on receipt of responses • Asked the following year if you feel your concerns have been addressed http://www.rvc.ac.uk/examiners

19. Historical role Quality control of product Examine every student Observe all aspects of all assessments New role Quality control of process Examine representative students or borderline students Observe representative cross section of assessments Old and new?

20. Thank you! • An arrangement without which HE institutions could not exist • If you require any further information or clarification prior to the examinations please contact the Chair of the board of the examiners for which you are acting or the Academic Quality manager.