The grade of a FET major award is calculated by QBS based on the grades of the components which have been used to get that major award. A number of examples linked below should clarify how the calculation is done. The following rules are applied:
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Each grade has a weighting i.e. Distinction is valued at 3, a Merit at 2, a Pass at 1
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Each component’s credit value is multiplied by the relevant grade weighting.
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The results are totalled.
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This total is divided by the sum of the credit values of the components involved. The answer will be a number between 1.0 and 3.0.
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The answer is rounded and translated back to a grade for the major as follows: 1.00 - 1.49 = Pass; 1.50 – 2.49 = Merit; 2.50 – 3.00 = Distinction.
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The credit value of the component is important i.e. a Distinction in a component worth 5 credits (3 x5=15) contributes less than a Merit in a component worth 15 credits (2x15=30)
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Components achieved by exemption are neutral to the calculation i.e. they are not included in either part of the division calculation
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‘Remaining credit’ is not included in the calculation i.e. if the award structure says that ‘The remaining credit value of X can be obtained…etc.’ then X credits are taken out of both the top and bottom of the division calculation.
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Where necessary to choose between specified components to use in the calculation, the system will select the most valuable. This means that if a learner used components, all of which are in the award structure, then the most valuable component grades will be used.
Please view worked examples here.