Bell curves to determine final grade or grade point average for students in ITEs, polytechnics and autonomous universities

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan, Pioneer

Question

To ask the Minister for Education whether there is a bell curve for all forms of examinations to determine the final grade or the Grade Point Average given to students in the ITEs, polytechnics and the autonomous universities.

Response

1. The intent of graded assessments and examinations at the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) is to evaluate students' mastery of a topic. Grading also enables IHLs to provide feedback to students on their learning so that they can build up the necessary skills and academic foundation to join the workforce or continue their studies at a more advanced level.

2. In this regard, our IHLs use a grading approach that is largely standards-referenced, and do not 'force-fit' grades into a bell curve.