Ensuring that candidates are fairly graded


The research department, with over 50 years of expertise in assessment, is actively involved in the grading of all our examinations. This hands-on experience ensures that the grading systems are under continual scrutiny.

Research themes within this area include:

  • maintaining standards over time
  • comparability between subjects
  • the meaning of examination standards.

Uniform Mark Scale

Basic guide to standard setting booklet

Examples of our work linked to these themes:

  • Would the real gold standard please step forward? J. Baird, M. Cresswell & P. Newton
  • Baird, J. (2007) Alternative conceptions of examination standards. In Newton, P., Baird, J., Goldstein, H., Patrick, H. & Tymms, P. (Editors) (2007) Techniques for comparing examination standards. Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.