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I Want my Assignment Remarked: How to Ask

You’ve just got your assignment back, clicked open the grade and … your heart drops. It’s nowhere near the mark you were expecting. 

Few things feel worse than realising you didn’t perform as well as you thought you would. But if you genuinely believe the mark doesn’t reflect your work or has been unfairly awarded, the good news is that you don’t have to simply accept it.

Can I have my assignment remarked in Australia?

The short answer is, yes. Most Australian universities will allow students to request a remark/review of their mark, though specific rules vary across institutions. 

In most circumstances, the best way to start this process is with an informal discussion with your lecturer/assessor. Having a chat with them may help you to better understand why the original grade was awarded, and if you would still like to have your work remarked, then they will be able to advise you of the steps you need to take to challenge your result.

As an example, the University of South Australia permits students to request their work to be remarked by a second assessor. The request must be made to the Course Coordinator within five working days of receiving the initial result, and the Course Coordinator then has five working days to notify the student whether their request is approved or denied. If the request is denied, the student may request the Executive Dean review the decision.

At Curtin University, on the other hand, a student can ask for a review of their mark by contacting their Unit Coordinator. They must give evidence as to why they believe their mark is incorrect. The Unit Coordinator will determine if a remark is appropriate and notify the student of their decision.

Similarly, Charles Sturt University allows students who think they were unfairly marked to apply for a review of their mark within seven days. There may be a fee associated with a remark depending on the initial grade given.

Why would I want my assignment remarked?

Students typically seek remarks if they think:

  • There was an error in calculating the mark, a procedural mistake or bias of some kind.
  • Feedback or marking didn’t align with the marking criteria detailed in the course outline.
  • They received late feedback or none at all, which affected their final result. 

Having a discussion with your assessor – even if you don’t go ahead with a remark – about your assignment can also help clarify where you may have gone wrong and give you some extra feedback. Open discussion like this also helps to ensure transparency and fairness in assessment.

Do I have to pay to have my assignment remarked?

It depends on the university and circumstances. At some universities, requesting a review of a failed grade is free, but review of a passing grade may incur a fee.

Other universities may not charge for remarks but have strict timeframes and procedures that you must stick to (like contacting the assessor, submitting a written request and providing evidence within set deadlines). 

Always check your university’s specific policy for details on fees.

What if my grade doesn’t change?

Unfortunately, just because you’re approved for a remark doesn’t mean your actual grade will change. If you’re still unhappy with your mark, then some universities will allow you to escalate the review to a formal appeal. However, at other universities, you are not permitted to have the same assessment reviewed again or appeal the new grade. The new mark stands whether it’s higher or lower. If you believe the remarking process has been unfair, then you may choose to contact the National Student Ombudsman.