Example rubric for Science short answer exam

These excerpts are examples only; a rubric needs to be aligned with the subject’s outcomes and the criteria should address the specific task.

Example based on an anatomy subject
Criteria / HD / D / CR / PS / FL
Short answer questions:
1-7
  • Describe and draw anatomical features or processes studied in the subject.
  • Use anatomical terminology with correct spelling
/ All the time or frequently (between 100 – 85%) uses correct anatomical terminology including correct spelling to clearly, concisely and accurately describe features or processes. All or most (between 100 – 85%) key features and the links between key features are easily identified and correctly labelled in the drawing. / Frequently uses (between 84 - 75% of) correct anatomical terminology including correct spelling to clearly and accurately describe features or processes. Most (between 84 -75% of) key features and the links between key features are easily identified and correctly labelled in the drawing. / Uses between 74 - 65% of the correct anatomical terminology including correct spelling to clearly and accurately describe features or processes. Between 74 - 65% of the key features and links between key features are easily identified and correctly labelled in the drawing. / Uses between 64 - 50% of the correct anatomical terminology including correct spelling to clearly and accurately describe features or processes. Between 64 - 50% of the key features and links between key features are easily identified and correctly labelled in the drawing. / Uses between 49 - 0% of the correct anatomical terminology including correct spelling to clearly and accurately describe features or processes. Between 49 - 0% of the key features and links between key features are easily identified and correctly labelled in the drawing.
Possible Marks / 28 - 24 / 23.5 - 21 / 20.5 - 18 / 17.5 - 14 / 13.5 – 0
Short answer questions:
8-12
Recall anatomical terminology, position, structures and processes studied in the subject (This includes content from all lecture materials, practical sessions, tutorials, and on-line discussions).
Compare anatomical processes studied in the subject.
Use a flow chart to describe anatomical processes studied in the subject. / To achieve an HD students need to obtain a cumulative mark of between 100 – 85% by:
  • Accurately recalling and applying all or most discipline terminology and knowledge.
  • Correctly spelling all or most discipline terms.
  • Accurately comparing and explaining all or most processes in a clear, logical and concise manner.
  • Using an appropriately labelled flow chart to accurately describe processes and including all or most required information.
/ To achieve a D students need to obtain a cumulative mark of between 84 – 75% by:
  • Accurately recalling and using all or most discipline terminology and knowledge.
  • Correctly spelling all or most discipline terms.
  • Accurately comparing and explaining all or most processes in a clear, logical and concise manner.
  • Using an appropriately labelled flow chart to accurately describe processes and including all or most required information.
/ To achieve a CR students need to obtain a cumulative mark of between 74 – 65% by:
  • Accurately recalling and using most discipline terminology and knowledge.
  • Correctly spelling most discipline terms.
  • Accurately comparing most processes in a clear, logical and concise manner.
  • Using an appropriately labelled flow chart to accurately describe processes and including most required information.
/ To achieve a PS students need to obtain a cumulative mark of between 64 – 50% by:
  • Accurately recalling and using most or some discipline terminology and knowledge.
  • Correctly spelling most or some discipline terms.
  • Accurately defining most or some processes in a clear, logical and concise manner.
  • Using a labelled flow chart to accurately describe processes and including most or some required information.
/ To achieve a FL students need to obtain a cumulative mark of between 49 – 0% by:
  • Accurately recalling and using some or no discipline terminology and knowledge.
  • Correctly spelling some or no discipline terms.
  • Accurately defining some or no processes in a clear, logical and concise manner.
  • Using an appropriately labelled flow chart to accurately describe processes and including some or no required information.

Possible Marks / 16 - 14 / 13.5 - 12 / 11.5 – 10.5 / 10 – 8 / 7.5 - 0
Example based on a science subject
Analyse information and draw justified conclusions based on theory (or research) and/or best practice studied in this subject. / Accurately analyse provided information to draw justified conclusions that are logically supported by relevant and current theories and/or best practice. The answer succinctly integrates and links information into a cohesive and coherent piece of analysis and consistently uses correct terminology and sophisticated language. / Accurately analyse provided information to draw justified conclusions that are generally logically supported by relevant and current theories and/or best practice. The answer is logically structured to create a cohesive and coherent piece of analysis that consistently uses correct terminology. / Accurately analyse most of the provided information to draw justified conclusions that are generally logically supported by relevant and current theories and/or best practice. The answer is generally logically structured to create a comprehensible, mainly descriptive piece of work. Some use of correct terminology. / Accurately analyse most of the provided information to draw justified conclusions that are generally logically supported by some theories and/or best practice. The answer partially structured into loosely-linked rudimentary sentences to create a comprehensible, descriptive piece of work. . Some use of correct terminology. / Accurately analyse most of the provided information to draw justified conclusions that are generally logically supported by some theories and/or best practice. The answer is partially structured and may tend to list information. Uses frequent informal language.
Possible Marks / 28 - 24 / 23.5 - 21 / 20.5 - 18 / 17.5 - 14 / 13.5 – 0
Example based on a physical movement subject involving formula
Short answer questions:
Apply and manipulate appropriate physics formula or mathematical processes to solve single and multi-step problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. / Identified, applied and manipulated appropriate formula or mathematical processes in a logical and clear manner to accurately solve single and multi-step problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. / Identified, applied and manipulated appropriate formula or processes in a logical and clear manner to accurately solve most single and multi-step problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. / Identified, applied and manipulated appropriate formula or processes in a generally logical and clear manner to accurately solve most single and multi-step problems in familiar contexts. / Identified, applied and manipulated appropriate formula or processes in a generally logical and clear manner to accurately solve most single step and some multi-step problems in familiar contexts. / Identified and applied appropriate formula or processes to solve a limited number (less than half the problems) of simple single step problems in familiar contexts or no problems were correctly solved.
Possible Marks / 16 - 14 / 13.5 - 12 / 11.5 – 10.5 / 10 – 8 / 7.5 - 0