MG University to switch to indirect grading system

Mahatma Gandhi University will switch to the indirect grading system based on a seven-point scale instead of the existing direct grading pattern based on a five-point scale from next academic year.

Choice-based credit

The move comes following the University Syndicate’s decision to implement the Prof. B. Hridayakumari committee report on choice-based credit and semester system submitted before the Kerala State Higher Education Council and later ratified by the government.

As per recommendations of the committee, mark system should be introduced instead of grading for each question.

However, notional grading on the basis of marks will be indicated for each semester.

Overall gradation will be on a seven-point scale and it will be awarded only at the end of the academic programmme.

Seven-point scale

The seven-point scale will be 90 and above (A plus - outstanding); 80 to 89 (A – excellent); 70 to 79 (B - very good); 60 to 69 (C- good); 50 to 59 (D – satisfactory); 40 to 49 (E- adequate); and below 40 (F-failure).

In the existing direct grading system, the five-point scale includes A (excellent – grade point 4); B (very good – grade point 3); C (good-grade point 2); D (average-grade point 1) and E (poor-grade point 0). The committee’s report had pointed out that the five-point scale direct grading system would not ensure an impartial assessment of students’ performance due to the wide range for which the evaluation was made (for instance, 62.5 to 87.5 meant ‘B’ grade).

Vacation pattern

With the implementation of the Hridayakumari report, the vacation pattern will also switch to April-May instead of one month breaks in November and May.

For internal assessment, 10 marks will be awarded for test paper, five for seminar or assignment and five for attendance.

The university will conduct examinations for core subjects and compulsory language papers, which will be centrally evaluated at the end of second, fourth and sixth semester for external assessment. All practical examinations will be conducted at the end of second, fourth and sixth semesters.

The examinations for complementary subjects, electives, open courses and additional languages, will be conducted at the end of all semesters. The university will prepare the question papers.

Odd semester examination answer sheets will be assessed through home evaluation and semester examination sheets will be assessed through centralised evaluation.