No bell curve grading in national exams, most universities

NUS, NTU still moderate grades in some modules to differentiate students' performance

National University of Singapore (NUS) students sitting an exam. Of the six autonomous universities, only NUS and Nanyang Technological University still moderate results using a bell curve for certain modules. PHOTO: ST FILE
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Bell curve grading is not used in any of the national examinations - the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), N levels, O levels and A levels - in Singapore, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has said.

A spokesman for the ministry told The Straits Times: "School-based assessments and national examinations are standards-referenced, where the grades awarded reflect a candidate's own level of mastery in the subject based on an absolute set of standards."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 17, 2019, with the headline No bell curve grading in national exams, most universities. Subscribe