As many students approach the end of term 4, thoughts on how their marks will be calculated start to occupy their minds. This is normal, as the marks obtained from this term can determine whether some students will pass or fail. In this article, we will be discussing how term 4 marks are calculated and the factors that influence the calculation.
Factors that Affect Term 4 Mark Calculation
Several factors influence the calculation of term 4 marks. The most important factors include:
Attendance
One of the significant factors that affect term 4 mark calculation is attendance. Most schools set a minimum percentage of attendance required during the term. This percentage varies from school to school but is usually around 80%. Students who fail to meet the attendance requirement may be penalized or be unable to qualify for the final exams.
Class Participation and Tests
Another significant factor that affects term 4 mark calculation is class participation and tests. Students who actively participate in class and take tests seriously usually perform better in term 4. This is because most tests in the term are designed to test the student's understanding of topics taught in class.
Assignments
Assignments contribute significantly to term 4 marks. Most schools have a specific percentage of the total term marks reserved for assignments. The assignments given during term 4 often focus on topics already covered in class, and students who submit quality assignments are usually rewarded with higher marks.
Final Examination
The final term exams usually have the most significant impact on term 4 marks. The final exam carries the most significant percentage of the total term marks, with most schools allocating between 60% and 80% of the total available marks to the final examination. Students who perform well in the final exams tend to get higher overall term marks.
How Term 4 Marks Are Calculated
Term 4 marks are calculated using the weighted average method. This means that each assessment item (attendance, class participation and tests, assignments, and final exams) is allocated a specific percentage of the total available marks. The percentage allocated to each item varies from school to school, but the final breakdown usually looks something like this:
| Assessment Item | Percentage Allocation |
|---|---|
| Attendance | 10% |
| Class Participation and Tests | 20% |
| Assignments | 20% |
| Final Exam | 50% |
To calculate the final term 4 mark, each assessment item's percentage allocation is multiplied by the marks obtained by the student. The results are then added up to give a final percentage score. The final percentage score is usually the student's overall term 4 marks. For example, a student who obtains a total of 50% in attendance, 80% in class participation and tests, 70% in assignments, and 70% in the final exam would have a final percentage score of:
(0.1 x 50) + (0.2 x 80) + (0.2 x 70) + (0.5 x 70) = 10 + 16 + 14 + 35 = 75%
Conclusion
In conclusion, term 4 marks are calculated using a weighted average method that takes into account various assessment items, such as attendance, class participation and tests, assignments, and final exams. It's important to note that each school has its own method of allocating marks to each assessment item, but the general principle remains the same. Therefore, students should strive to perform well in all assessment items to get higher overall term 4 marks.
