Evaluating Marks on Indian Educational Documentation NAFSA Conference Region XII Reno, NV October 28, 2010 Jason Wessel, Evaluator 1
Structure of Indian Educational System 12-year Primary/Secondary Sequence SSC (10 years) + HSC (2 years) First Degrees BA, BS, BCom = 3 years BPT, BOT = 3 to 4 years + internship BAg, BEng, BTech, BPharm = 4 years BDS = 4 years + internship MBBS = 4.5 years + internship BVS = 5 years Second Degrees BEd = 1 year MA, MS, MCom, MBA = 2 years MCA = 3 years Master s in professional fields = usually 2 years (also 1.5 to 3 years) Third Degrees MPhil = 1 to 2 years PhD = minimum of 2 years 2
Indian Tertiary Education British-based educational system College vs. University Not all work documented by a university is universitylevel study. Official documentation: university-issued marks sheets for all attempts at all exams. Recognition: established or recognized by state or national act (pursuant to the UCG Act); AIU 3
Converting Indian Marks into US Credits Determine Target number of credits: One year = one year (30 to 36 semester hours of credit). Minimum years of study x 30 = Target. E.g., 4 x 30 = 120 (or as high as 4 x 36 = 144). Determine the total Maximum Marks for the whole program (usually 900 to 6000 is the range). Express the total Maximum Marks as a more manageable number (i.e., in terms of sets of 100): Drop the last two digits from the total (e.g., 3800 becomes 38). The resulting number is the Abbreviated Maximum Marks [AMM]. 4
Converting Indian Marks into US Credits Conversion Factor: what needs to be done mathematically to the AMM in order to arrive at the Target? AMM (38) x Conversion Factor (?) = Target (120 to 144). 38 x 1 = 38 (too low). 38 x 2 = 76 (still too low). 38 x 3 = 114 (still to low). 38 x 4 = 152 (too high). 38 x 3.5 = 133 (within the Target range of 120 to 144). Conversion Factor = 3.50 Conversion Factor x AMM for each subject = US credits for each course. 5
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Convert Osmania University Marks into US Credits Target number of US credits? Total Maximum Marks? First Year Second Year (Sem I + II) Third Year (Sem I + II) Abbreviated Maximum Marks? Conversion Factor? 12
Convert University of Bombay Marks into US Credits Target: 3 x 30 = 90 credits (up to 3 x 36 = 108 credits). Total Maximum Marks = 3000. Abbreviated Maximum Marks [AMM] = 30. AMM (30) x Conversion Factor (?) = Target (90 to 108 credits). 30 x 1 = 30 credits (too low). 30 x 2 = 60 credits (again, too low). 30 x 3 = 90 credits (on target); Conversion Factor = 3. Convert AMM for each individual subject into US credits (Conversion Factor x AMM = US Credits): 100 Maximum Marks [MM] = 1.00 Abbreviated Maximum Marks 3 x 1.00 = 3.00 US credits. 75 MM = 0.75 AMM 3 x 0.75 = 2.25 US credits. 25 MM = 0.25 AMM 3 x 0.25 = 0.75 US credits. 13
General Grading Issues Grades have relative verbal value, not absolute mathematical value. No universal, absolute percentage that represents a passing performance. 60% in another country does not necessarily mean the same thing that it means in the US. An above average American student would not regularly score above 80% if subjected to Indian grading practices. An above average Indian student would not regularly score below 60% if subjected to American grading practices. Two things you can usually assume when looking at another grading system: The highest possible passing grade or range = A in the US. All grades below the lowest possible passing grade = F in the US. 14
Converting Indian Marks into US Grades Marks sheets will usually show: Highest possible score for each subject (Maximum Marks); Lowest passing score for each subject (Minimum Marks); Minimum number of marks required to pass the whole year or semester (Aggregate Pass); and Marks Obtained by the student for each subject. Most Indian schools don t assign grades to individual subjects. Universities classify degrees; this classification scheme can be used to determine US equivalent grades for each subject. First Class with Distinction First Class Second Class Third or Pass Class Degree classifications are based on the percentage of Marks Obtained out of the Maximum Marks; therefore, use the percentage of Marks Obtained to determine US equivalent grades for each subject. 15
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Convert Gujarat University Marks into US Grades Minimum Subject Pass? First Class? Second Class? 21
Convert Gujarat University Marks into US Grades Minimum Subject Pass = 36% (36/100). First Class = 60% (420/700 or 600/1000). Second Class = 48% (336/700 or 480/1000). No Minimum Aggregate Pass is specified, so it s the same as the Minimum Subject Pass. 22
Convert Gujarat University Marks into US Grades We can assume two things: First Class = 60 to 100% = A. Failing = 0 to < 36% = F. We have three remaining US grades (B, C, and D) but only two remaining ranges of Indian marks: Second Class = 48% to < 60%. Passing = 36 to < 48%. Does the concept of D exist in India? 23
Concept of D in India Subject Pass < Aggregate Pass. Aggregate Pass is often 40%, but at many universities the Subject Pass can be below 40%. Grace Marks. If a student performed well enough overall, the school may grace the additional marks needed to pass an individual subject. Condoned Failure Used under the same conditions as Grace Marks. Student has failed the subject but is treated as if he or she had passed it. 24
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Suggested US Grades for Gujarat University Marks 60 to 100% = A 50 to 59.99% = B 40 to 49.99% = C 36 to 39.99% = D 0 to 35.99% = F 26
Suggested US Grades for University Marks when 50% is the Minimum Pass When 60% = First Class 60 to 100% = A 59 to 59.99% = B < 50% = F When 65% = First Class 65 to 100% = A 50 to 64.99% = B < 50% = F When 70% = First Class 70 to 100% = A 50 to 69.99% = B < 50% = F 27