A government proposal could see Denmark’s numbered exam grading system made a little easier to understand.
Grades given for school and university exams in Denmark currently follow what is known as a ‘seven-step’ (syvtrin) numbered system — one that can feel complex at first glance.
That could change under a new government proposal which would introduce an additional grade level and make the numerical system (a little) more intuitive.
The proposal, which was presented by the government on Thursday, was initially reported by broadcasters DR and TV2.
The new eight-step scale would use the grades 00, 01, 02, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. The highest six numbers represent a pass with 12 the best score.
The existing system uses the numbers -3, 00, 02, 4, 7, 10 and 12, with the highest five being pass grades.
EXPLAINED: How does the school system work in Denmark?
The new system would come into effect for the 2030-31 school year.
Additionally, the new system will allow examiners to award a 12* grade for exceptionally high exam performance.
Critics of the existing system, which has been in use since 2006, say that one of its flaws is the -3 grade, which can demotivate students when they are told they have performed so badly that their grade has to be a negative number.
Advertisement
A three-integer jump between grades 4 and 7, as well as 7 and 10, can meanwhile feel too large for a result bordering between them, some teachers feel.
This would be addressed by the introduction of grades 6 and 8, which would replace 7 in the new system.
Different numbering is not the only change being proposed as part of the reform.
Currently, examiners reduce a candidate’s grade depending on how many errors they make during the exam.
Based on recommendations from a government commission on school wellbeing, Trivselskommisionen, the government wants examiners to use a more holistic approach when choosing a grade.
This would encourage students to learn rather than practice avoiding errors when it comes to preparing for exams, which has been another point of criticism of the seven-step scale.
While the proposal will add an additional grade to the scale, it will remain less numerous than the version used between 1963 and 2006, which had a full 13 different possible scores.