News
85% of UEA students in favour of getting feedback on exams
Research conducted by the Union of UEA Students has shown that over 85% of students agree that they would find feedback on exams useful. The research also found that the form of feedback students most wanted was personalised comments on their exam script (79%) followed by the return of exam scripts (73%).
Other forms of feedback were also supported by some students: 47% of respondents were interested in a discussion with their adviser, 45% of respondents wanted basic statistics for exam results so they could compare how well they did compared to others and 42% would like a presentation following exams from their lecturer.
The research follows the Union’s I’m Hungry for Feedback campaign of last summer which saw students writing a personal message on the front of their exam scripts asking for feedback.
David Sheppard, the Union’s Academic Officer: “Ultimately students want their exam scripts returned to them. However, this research shows that there are other forms of feedback that many students would find useful – for example – the option of discussing their exam script with their adviser if they have found a particular exam difficult. We want the University to look at this data carefully and do all it can to improve feedback on exams to students.”
The research also found that female students were keener on exam feedback than their male counterparts, that Health students were most supportive of having a discussion with their adviser about their exam performance and that first year undergraduates were marginally more supportive of feedback on exams than colleagues in other years.
The Union surveyed 2007 students as part of its Annual Survey and asked two questions on exam feedback:
47. How much do you agree with the following statement?
I would find feedback on my exams useful
48. If the University decided to introduce exam feedback, what form(s) would you like it to take?
Personalised, written feedback on the script
Return of exam script so I can work out where I can improve
One-on-one discussion with adviser or tutor
Basic statistics for exam results so I can see how well I did compared to others
Presentation by lecturer of frequent mistakes in subsequent seminars or lecture
Written report by module organiser sent to all students who sat exams
Student-to-student discussion of exams in subsequent seminar
Other