Following a review of feedback received after the examination diet where the new Guidelines on Discretion were used, a summary of issues raised has been prepared for ASC.

ASC is invited to consider the following issues arising from the first implementation of the new procedures on applying Discretion to candidates whose GPA falls in the zone of discretion.

1. ASC is invited to consider whether a single definition of preponderance should be adopted whereby preponderance is achieved when more than 50% of grades are achieved in the higher category.
2. ASC is invited to consider whether further guidance should be provided on how grade profiles may be taken into account when decisions about preponderance are being made. If it is agreed that each Board is free to develop its own practice in taking account of grade profiles, this must be clarified in the current Guidelines.
3. ASC is invited to consider whether a standard approach should be taken in applying the year weighting of grades when considering the preponderance of grades. The Guidelines should be revised accordingly to articulate how year weightings should counted in calculating preponderance.
4. ASC is invited to endorse the clarification that the dissertation grade is not included in the consideration of preponderance on PGT programmes.
5. ASC is invited to comment on whether External Examiner input on discretionary decisions must always relate to one of the permitted criteria for determining discretion.

Senate Office.

None identified.

Revised Guidelines must be in place for the 2014 April/May assessment diet.

None identified.