This month has been filled with essays, quizzes, and preparation for final exams. The grading system (or should I say, marking system, as the Australians would) is much different than in the United States. First off, you’re typically graded on only a few assignments. For example, one of my classes was graded on participation, and just two essays. Back home, I generally have more assignments to “buffer” my grade, and have “checks” along the way to make sure I’m understanding the content. Here, you’re completely responsible for your own grade and comprehension, and have to make sure you’re dedicating enough time to perform well on exams. That leads me to my second point, final exams here make up a significant portion of your final grade. It’s not uncommon to see one exam worth 40-50% of the score you receive on your transcript. This can be unnerving, stressful, and frustrating, but the way assignments are graded is also different. In the US, anything below a 60% is a fail, and anything below a 70% is generally considered content you didn’t understand, and generally frowned upon. Here, anything above a 50% is considered a pass, and any grade above a 75% is the equivalent of an A-. It is also extremely uncommon to receive a grade above an 85%, even if there is no negative feedback left on an assignment. 

It definitely took some adjusting to the new grading system, and becoming familiar with receiving grades in the 70s range, but it is important to remind yourself that you’re still performing well. The same principle as always applies, no matter the grading system: you have to study as well as you can for exams, put in the same effort for background readings, and always proofread your essays!

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: IES Abroad: Macquarie University