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Making the Grade‐‐Developing Grade Descriptors for Accounting using a Discriminator Model of Performance

2001; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 24; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/0140672010240207

1470-1359

Jackie Greatorex, Colin Johnson, Ken Frame,

Mathematics Education and Teaching Techniques

Abstract Grade descriptors are one of the indicators used for determining grade thresholds for public examinations. They are descriptions of the performance expected at each grade. In this study both statistical data about candidates' performances and interviews with accounting experts about candidates' performances were used to develop grade descriptors for an accounting A level (General Certificate of Education Advanced Level) taken by an international candidature. The combination of research methods (mastery levels analysis and an adapted version of Kelly's Repertory Grid) was successfully used to develop grade descriptors based on a discriminator model of performance. This model of performance suggests that there are characteristics which are unique to each grade. The results also indicate that there are some characteristics which are found in candidates' performances at different grades. The strength of these grade descriptors is that they are grounded in candidates' actual performances.