Melbourne Adjusted Grade Point Average

[Sellingman]

Basically, I'm interested in Grad Med.

What's the deal with MAGPA? Is it kicking in soon?

[bridger]

I found this page a while back, not sure what it all means but have a look
http://policy.unimelb.edu.au/UOM0415
Its says:
Melbourne Adjusted Grade Point Average (MAGPA): GPA calculated by a method in which subject results are adjusted statistically to compensate for variation in subject difficulty and marking practice, being trialled for possible introduction across the University from 2012.
Who know what they could be planning though? haha

[Sellingman]

Thnx man.

So in your opinion, what's the likelihood of MAGPA actually coming into practice from 0-100%?

[stonecold]

Are you serious???

For once, ACER actually has the the better method haha.

The whole adjustment/moderation thing wreaks of VTAC's scaling of VCE subjects.

[bridger]

Hard to say really, I haven't heard or seen anything about it being introduced, so maybe they're still working on it. They could end up introducing it later, 2013 or 2014. My sister told me they've had this on the cards since she was at Uni, and she finished in 2008.
I don't know whether it would be used for entry into the MD though, given that there will be heaps of people from other unis applying aswell. Probably too difficult to implement.
I think it would be a good idea though, there's definitely a huge disparity between the way different subjects are marked. I guess there would be a whole lot of problems though, figuring out how to scale subjects etc.

[Sellingman]

Are you serious???

For once, ACER actually has the the better method haha.

The whole adjustment/moderation thing wreaks of VTAC's scaling of VCE subjects.

"at least one subject at second-year level of each in anatomy, physiology and biochemistry; weighted GPA based on the approved Melbourne Adjusted Grade Point Average (MAGPA); GAMSAT or either GAMSAT or MCAT for international students who are located overseas only; multi mini interview (MMI)or modified MMI by Skype for international applicants located overseas; English language requirements of the University"

[bridger]

I found this on an info page for the Doctor of Physiotherapy, couldn't find one for the MD though
Weightings will be applied according to the approved Melbourne Adjusted Grade Point Average (MAGPA) calculations in force in any given year, or in the absence of any defined MAGPA, by weighting the first of the final three, full-time years by 1, the second year by 2 and the final year by 3.
Could be using the MAGPA for Melbourne students then, and using standard calculation for students from other unis

[stonecold]

Can you guys please link me...I cannot find it.

Unless they are secretly using this new method to advantage biomed or unimelb students in general, then I do not approve.

I was happy knowing that I just needed to keep getting 80s or higher....now what are we supposed to do. 

[Sellingman]

http://www.gamsat-prep.com/GAMSAT-australia

[Sellingman]

http://www.dent.unimelb.edu.au/melbourne_model/

A more official link ^^^


"Weightings will be applied according to the approved Melbourne Adjusted Grade Point Average (MAGPA) calculations in force in any given year, or in the absence of any defined MAGPA, by weighting the first of the final three, full-time years by 1, the second year by 2 and the final year by 3."

[stonecold]

I also found this from some meeting they had.  All those concerns were voiced, and yet they still persist with it...  Academic Board is useless.

People are going to be extremely pissed when their H1 drops down to a H2B...not to mention it almost makes it less attractive to complete your undergrad at Melbourne...if such a thing is possible.  Students applying for PG from other unis will not be subject to the MAGPA.  How is this fair...

3.3 Melbourne Adjusted Grade Point Average

Associate Professor Barry Hughes spoke to his paper and noted that different disciplines have different marking cultures and that, with the move to graduate programs attracting undergraduate students from different disciplines, it is necessary to determine a way in which marks can be ‘standardised’ to assist in selection to graduate programs. The Melbourne Adjusted Grade Point Average (MAGPA) achieves this as it is based on statistically adjusted results.

Members made the following comments in regard to the paper:
• How will the marks of students who have undertaken subjects as study abroad be dealt with?
• Will the diversity of students transferring to the University of Melbourne from abroad or from other institutions diminish the usefulness of the MAGPA?
• Students will want to be informed as to how the MAGPA is calculated if it affects their chances of selection into graduate programs
• If the MAGPA mark is ‘visible’, it will become the de facto ‘real’ mark; if it is ‘invisible’, then there will be complaints that there is no transparency
• Some concern was expressed that a student who achieves a mark in the 50’s, which is a pass, may end up with a MAGPA below 50, which is a fail, and this would not be acceptable; it should be clear that a mark of 50 or above will always result in a MAGPA of 50 or above
• There was concern that the results achieved by students who undertake a subject as breadth and may not have much expertise in the subject matter may be somewhat different to students who take the same subject as part of their major and have substantial expertise in it, and yet both groups of students will be subject to the same MAGPA
• It was expressed that a code of conduct may be required as to when/how MAGPA is to be applied
• The algorithm needs to be able to be understood by staff who may be required to explain it to students
• An internationally acceptable score would be useful
• Raw marks as well as MAGPA marks on student transcripts would be useful

Associate Professor Barry Hughes took these comments on board and sought endorsement from the Board to undertake a trial of MAGPA in 2008, whilst acknowledging that much of the detail is still to be determined. The Board endorsed the recommendations in Associate Professor Hughes’s paper and expressed support for going ahead with a trial of MAGPA in 2008.

http://www.unimelb.edu.au/about/governance/docs/InterimBUGS_Minutes_09%2007.pdf

[stonecold]

Thanks sellingman.  It is safe to assume it will probably apply to the MD too, but it doesn't say what type of GPA they are going to use on the site.

http://www.medicine.unimelb.edu.au/future/md/selection.html

I always thought they would go by the ACER one...perhaps not. :/

[Sellingman]

I'm actually over the moon. I wanted to do Introduction to Actuarial Studies as breadth but was put-off as I figured doing something piss-easy H1 would be better for my GPA.

[stonecold]

I'm actually over the moon. I wanted to do Introduction to Actuarial Studies as breadth but was put-off as I figured doing something piss-easy H1 would be better for my GPA.

Really?...if anything, I would think maths and science subjects are going to suffer, because it is easier to score higher in these than in arts subjects.  That having been said, if I were to guess, I would say that the median result in science/maths subjects would be somewhat higher than in arts.

I have no idea when it comes to commerce, but I'd say marks would be similar to maths and science as well.

[dc302]

stonecold, I'm pretty confidence that if you get 80+ in every subject, you're going to be fine no matter what