Investigation into whether z-scores are more reliable at estimating missing marks than the current method

Abstract

The awarding bodies in the UK use similar, but slightly different, methodologies for assessing missing marks (i.e., marks for candidates who are absent with good reason). In an attempt to standardise the process across awarding bodies, a z-score method of estimating missing marks (as used by other awarding bodies) was investigated to see if it was better than the current proportional estimation method being used by OCR.