Marking Criteria in Australian Universities

One regret I have about my 1st semester in postgraduate studies is that I didn't fully understand the criteria set by my university. To provide some context, I completed my undergraduate degree in Accounting in Indonesia and pursued a master's degree in Law at one of the Australian Group of Eight Universities.

Aside from having a different educational background, the university's education system was also different. The combination of intensive and block-mode (one subject with only one or two weeks) learning left me with limited time to catch up with my classmates.

However, I take responsibility for this shortcoming. I should have made more effort to learn and adapt. It's important to note that each university has its own set of criteria for assessing exams, so I encourage you to consult your own university to better understand how they evaluate your exams. Best of luck to you.

Result name	Mark range	Description*	Notes**
​​High Distinction	85 - 100	​Work receiving a high distinction grade will generally exhibit the following characteristics: Completely answers the question. Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. Is otherwise exceptional in some way.	Displays a thorough and complex understanding of the law and policy. Where relevant, contains striking originality of approach or analysis. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the key course materials, and is able to use them to support logical and coherent arguments in relation to the issues. Where relevant, achieves a critical engagement with the topic and an evaluative approach and appropriately situates the issues within the policy framework of the law.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work receiving a distinction grade will generally exhibit the following characteristics: Completely answers the question. Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. Generally well expressed and free from errors. Has a clear structure and is well articulated.	Contains a clear and well-articulated statement of the relevant principles, laws, and issues. Where relevant, achieves a critical engagement with the topic and an evaluative approach and appropriately situates the main issues within the policy framework of the law
Credit	65 - 74	Work receiving a credit grade will generally exhibit the following characteristics: Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. Contains no significant errors Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.	​Evidence of independent thought and analysis Demonstrates a reasonable understanding of the course materials & is able to identify their relevance Includes, where relevant, a concise distillation of relevant case law and/or rulings. Engages, where relevant, with the main policy principles relevant to the area. § Makes an attempt to critically engage with the issues raised.
Pass	50 - 64	Work receiving a pass grade will generally exhibit the following characteristics: Identifies the key issues but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. Contains some significant errors. Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. Offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. Superficial use of material and may display a tendency to paraphrase. Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. Adequate expression. Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.	Shows a basic understanding of some of the relevant legal principles. Describes material (cases, legislation, etc) relevant to the question but does not link the description to the question asked
Fail	0 - 49	Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Does not answer the question. Contains significant or numerous errors. Few or no identifiable arguments. Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. Lack of research or analysis. Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

*Marking criteria from my university's website

**Notes from my former Law professor