I've never been one for appealing marks but after a few unjust results (IMO) this term I have decided that I need to formally appeal them. I was wondering if anyone had any 'appealing' tips from previous experiences.
Hey!! I've never done it, I've seen it done, a few things I'd suggest:
- Make sure you've spoken to the marker about the issue
first. There could be reasoning behind their decision you've not considered, or it might give you a better understanding of the discrepancy. You might still decide to appeal, you might not, heck they might even change it for you. But talking to the marker or your teacher first is just a good first course of action.
- If you do appeal, be upfront and non confrontational (it will probably be a coordinator or a VP or something similar you appeal to). Explain the issue with your mark clearly, and don't demand it be increased. Ask for it to be reviewed by another party, and be prepared to explain why you think it deserves that review. This is where talking to the teacher first is important, because it shows that you aren't just gunning for more marks. You've made an attempt to understand where the mark comes from, and you still feel like it needs a review.
- Be assertive, but not rude. Teachers will expect a student challenging a mark to be confrontational, perhaps rude, there's no need for it to be that way. Be courteous, you mean no malice - You just want review and clarification, which is a fair request.
If you are polite throughout the process, you shouldn't have any trouble getting the mark reviewed or clarified. You'll either come away with a higher mark, or an understanding of why your mark isn't being increased. Try and be happy with either - Even if you would obviously prefer one of those outcomes