The Grading Game: Absolute vs. Relative in Higher Education, & NEP 2020

In the dynamic landscape of higher education, one of the perennial debates that often stirs controversy and discussion is the grading system. Specifically, in India, where the pursuit of academic excellence is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric, the choice between absolute and relative grading systems holds significant implications for students, educators, and the broader society. Let's delve into the nuances of these grading systems and explore their impact on the educational ecosystem, with a particular focus on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Understanding Absolute Grading:

The absolute grading system evaluates students' performance against a predetermined set of criteria or standards, irrespective of how others perform. In this system, the focus is on the individual's mastery of the subject matter rather than their standing relative to peers. Grades are typically assigned based on the quality of work, comprehension, and demonstration of skills.

Pros of Absolute Grading:

• Focus on Mastery:
  Absolute grading encourages students to focus on understanding the material deeply rather than merely outperforming others. This fosters a genuine pursuit of knowledge and skills.

• Clear Standards:
  Since grading criteria are predefined, students have a clear understanding of what is expected, leading to transparency and fairness in evaluation.

• Reduces Unhealthy Competition:
  By eliminating the need to compete directly with peers, absolute grading promotes a more collaborative and supportive learning environment.

Challenges of Absolute Grading:

• Limited Differentiation:
  Critics argue that absolute grading may not effectively differentiate between students of varying abilities since it does not consider their performance relative to peers.

• Inflexibility:
  Some argue that absolute grading could be rigid, especially in subjects where performance may vary significantly due to factors beyond the student's control, such as the difficulty of the course material.

Exploring Relative Grading:

Contrary to absolute grading, the relative grading system ranks students based on their performance relative to their peers. In this system, grades are often determined by how well a student performs in comparison to others in the class.

Pros of Relative Grading:

• Encourages Excellence:
  Relative grading incentivizes students to strive for excellence by positioning academic achievement as a competition. This can motivate students to push their boundaries and perform at their best.

• Adaptable to Varied Class Dynamics:
  In classes with varying levels of difficulty or where performance fluctuates significantly, relative grading can provide a fairer assessment by accounting for these differences.

Challenges of Relative Grading:

• Promotes Unhealthy Competition:
  Critics argue that relative grading fosters a cutthroat environment where students are more focused on outperforming their peers than on genuine learning and skill development.

• Subjectivity:
  Since grades are dependent on the performance of others, relative grading can introduce subjective elements into the evaluation process, leading to potential biases.

NEP 2020 and Grading Systems:

The NEP 2020, a landmark reform in the Indian education sector, emphasizes holistic and multidisciplinary learning. While the policy does not prescribe a specific grading system, it advocates for a shift towards competency-based education, where the focus is on assessing students' mastery of skills rather than rote memorization or high-stakes examinations.

Alignment with Absolute Grading:

Absolute grading, with its emphasis on mastery and comprehension, aligns well with the principles of competency-based education outlined in NEP 2020. By prioritizing individual progress and skill development, absolute grading can contribute to the realization of the policy's objectives of fostering critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.

Alignment with Relative Grading:

On the other hand, relative grading, with its competitive nature, may not fully align with the collaborative and inclusive ethos promoted by NEP 2020. While healthy competition can spur excellence, an overemphasis on relative performance may detract from the policy's vision of ensuring equitable access to quality education for all learners.