Question

Marking on a normative basis means that _____ (LORIMAR-AL):

A) Students are graded based on their own individual progress
B) Grades are assigned relative to the performance of other students
C) Teachers use a non-standardized grading scale
D) Grading is purely subjective

Answer 1

Marking on a normative basis means that grades are assigned based on how students' performance compares to their peers. This form of grading encourages competition and can lead to grade inflation over time.

Step-by-step explanation:

Marking on a normative basis means that B) Grades are assigned relative to the performance of other students. When teachers assign grades on this scale, they use the average performance of the class to determine what grade each level of achievement receives. This method stresses competition among students and sets a relative standard of success, where students are ranked against each other instead of against an absolute standard of performance.

The term often associated with this form of grading is grading on a curve, which is based on the statistical distribution of scores. The curve can indeed lead to situations of grade inflation, where over time the accomplishments necessary to earn a certain grade decrease, and grades that once represented average performance now signify an above-average performance.