Examination Grading Regulations
Dates of Promulgation
Establishment of the complete text of 17 articles, promulgated on December 21, 1988 as per Examination Yuan (77) Kao-Tai-Mi-Yi-Zi Order No. 3590.
Amendments to the complete text of 18 articles, promulgated on April 27, 1998 as per Examination Yuan (87) Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 01842.
Amendments to the complete text of 27 articles, promulgated on December 29, 2003 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 09200110261. These amendments shall come into effect upon promulgation except for Articles 23 and 24, which shall come into effect on January 1, 2004.
Amendment to Article 18, promulgated on August 27, 2004 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 09300072901.
Amendment to Article 3 and addition of Article 15-1, promulgated on March 19, 2012 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 10100023661.
Amendments to the complete text of 30 articles, promulgated on April 16, 2012 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 10100032331. These amendments shall come into effect upon promulgation.
Amendments to Articles 19 and 22, and the additions of Articles 19-1 and 19-2 and appendix, promulgated on October 30, 2013 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 10200091331.br /> Amendment to Article 20, promulgated on May 26, 2014 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 10300033821.
Amendments to Articles 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, and 28, and appendix to Article 19-2, promulgated on August 7, 2015 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 10400046691.
Amendment to Article 28, promulgated on May 2, 2016 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 10500025881.
Amendment to Article 14, promulgated on September 9, 2019 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 10700012781.
Amendment to Article 7, promulgated on January 25, 2021 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 10900078491.
Amendment to Article 17, promulgated on March 15, 2022 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 11100008441.
Amendment to Article 7, promulgated on October 24, 2022 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Zu-(1)-Yi-Zi Order No. 11106000571.
Amendments to Articles 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, and 30, promulgated on September 21, 2023 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Kao-Yi-Zi Order No. 11206001651.
Amendments to Articles 25, 26, and 30, promulgated on December 28, 2023 as per Examination Yuan Kao-Tai-Kao-Yi-Zi Order No. 11206002251.
The text of these Regulations is as follows:
Chapter One: General Provisions
Article 1
These Regulations are established as per Article 25, Paragraph 1 of the Examination Affairs Act.
Article 2
The grading of all examinations shall be conducted in accordance with these Regulations.
Article 3
Essay-type answer sheets shall be graded by members of the Board of Examiners and graders; multiple-choice answer sheets in written examinations shall be graded using computerized scoring systems.
Grading may also be conducted through an online grading system.
Chapter Two: Grading Essay-Type Answer Sheets
Article 4
Before grading begins, the team convener shall meet with members of the Board of Examiners, question drafters, and graders to determine the grading standards. The team convener shall also be responsible for assigning answer sheets for grading.
Depending on the actual needs of the subject, the team convener may have a sample of examination papers test-graded to reach a consensus before official grading begins. The procedures for the trial grading of essay-type answer sheets shall be prescribed by MOEX.
Article 5
Graders shall grade the examination papers in person. If a grader is unable to do so, or cannot complete the grading within the prescribed timeframe, the convener shall reassign the task to another grader or appoint an alternate grader in accordance with the provisions of the Examination Affairs Act.
Article 6
As a general rule, examination papers shall be graded using the single grading method. However, if two or more graders are assigned to the same subject within a particular discipline, individual questions may be graded separately, or a parallel grading method may be adopted, depending on the nature of the subject.
Article 7
When the single grading method is adopted, the grader shall enter the score for each question in Arabic numerals in both the inner-page score box and the front-page score box. The grader must sign or affix a seal in the front-page score box . If the score is between 0 to 9, a leading zero should be added.
When the parallel grading method is adopted, each grader shall enter the score for each question in the front-page score box, following the same format specified in the preceding paragraph.Upon the completion of the first round of parallel grading, the score box should be sealed by examination affairs staff and remain sealed until the second round is completed. The score of the subject should be the average of the two graders’ scores. If the difference between the two scores exceeds one fifth of the subject’s total scores, a third grader may be hired; in this case, the score of the subject will be the average of the two graders whose scores are the closest. If the difference among the three graders is the same, the score of the subject will be the average of the scores from all three graders.
When questions are graded by different graders, each grader shall enter the score in both the inner-page score box and the front-page score box, following the same format specified in the first paragraph. When the parallel grading method is adopted for each question, each grader shall enter the score for each question in the front-page score box, following the same format specified in the first paragraph. Upon the completion of the first round of parallel grading, the score box should be sealed by examination affairs staff and remain sealed until the second round is completed.
The score of the subject should be the average of the two graders’ scores. If the difference between the two scores exceeds one third of the subject’s total scores, a third grader may be hired; in this case, the score of the subject will be the average of the two graders whose scores are the closest. If the difference among the three graders is the same, the score of the subject will be the average of the scores from all three graders.
If a question includes sub-questions, graders shall indicate not only the total score for the question, but also the individual scores for each sub-question, where separate point allocations are specified.
Article 8
When distributing answer sheets, it is in principle required that the same grader review papers from the same subject and discipline. When the single or parallel double grading method is adopted, each grader should grade no more than 600 answer sheets. However, if the number of papers for the same subject and discipline in the same exam is fewer than 900, a single grader may grade all of them. When the designated single grading or designated parallel double grading method is adopted, the number of papers assigned to each grader may be converted based on the standard in the preceding paragraph.
Article 9
Grading must be conducted in a centralized manner. The location and period shall be determined by the Board of Examiners.
Graders are not allowed to select the test area, test site, exam room, exam level, or discipline they are assigned to grade.
As a general rule, graders shall receive one bundle of exam papers at a time.
Article 10
When grading begins, the Chair of the Board of Examiners shall spot-check the exam papers and may have team conveners to do this on his or her behalf. If the grading process is found to have violate regulations or there are errors, unjust assessments, or inconsistencies in grading standards, immediate re-grading shall be requested or the team convener, with the approval from the Chair of the Board of Examiners, may call a grading team or appoint new graders to regrade. The scores from the regrading shall be used as the final scores of the subject.
Article 11
Unless under special circumstances, graders should mark the answers by circling or using other symbols to indicate correctness.
If zero points are awarded, a reason should be provided.
Article 12
When grading the answer sheets, graders must sign or affix a seal if there are errors in the written or calculated score, or if adjustments are necessary.
Article 13
When the single grading method is adopted, red ink pens shall be used. If parallel grading is adopted, red ink pens shall be used for the first round and purple ink for the second. If a third grader is involved, blue ink shall be used. Orange or green ink shall be used for spot checks.
Article 14
If a member of the Board of Examiners identifies any of the following circumstances during the grading process, the matter shall be reported to the Chair of the Board of Examiners for handling in accordance with relevant examination regulations:
1.The answer sheet contains the candidate’s name, seat number, or any unauthorized text and marks.
2.The answer sheet shows signs of potential cheating or suspicious behavior.
3.The answer sheet raises other concerns.
4.Violations of the exam room rules that were not detected during the exam.
Article 15
When grading answer sheets, if a member of the Board of Examiners discovers that the candidate has used a foreign language to answer a subject that requires responses in the national language, that portion shall not be graded or scored.
However, this restriction does not apply to foreign language subjects, proper nouns, or cases with specific provisions.
Article 16
Answers sheets that are not fully graded by the end of the day shall be sealed by the graders and signed or affixed with a seal, and handed over to the examination administration staff for safekeeping.
Once all answer sheets have been graded, the examination administration staff will collect them. Unless regrading is required in accordance with relevant regulations, graders shall not retrieve the sheets thereafter.
Article 17
The grading of exam papers may involve scanning, importing, or other methods to create digital images of the answer sheets. These images shall be displayed on computer screens for online grading. Graders shall use a digital certificate to electronically sign or affix a seal in place of in lieu of a handwritten signature or physical seal.
If the scannedl image is unclear due to scanning issues or other reasons, the original papers should be provided to the grader for review, and the score shall be entered into the system accordingly.
For subjects that require handwritten responses and are graded online, candidates must indicate question numbers on the answer sheets and write their answers within the designated answer areas. Any content written outside the designated areas shall not be graded or counted in the final score.
Chapter Three: Grading Multiple-Choice Answer Sheet
Article 18
After the examination concludes, grading shall begin as soon as possible under the supervision of the Chair of the Board of Examiners or members of the Board of Examiners. The examination administration unit, in coordination with the MOEX Department of Computer-based Testing and Information Management, shall unseal the exam papers, scan the answer sheets, and organize them in sequential order.
Article 19
When answer sheets are graded using an optical mark reader, each sheet shall be scanned twice—once at high sensitivity and once at low sensitivity. The setting of the high and low greyscales shall be determined by MOEX.
. For single-choice questions, if the response detected at either sensitivity level matches the correct answer, the question shall be marked as correct.
For multiple-choice questions, if the response detected at both sensitivity levels fully match the required selections—all correct options are selected and all incorrect options are left unselected—the question shall be marked as fully correct. If the responses partially match, the question shall be marked as partially correct.
Article 19-1
A multiple-answer question consists of five options, with at least two correct answers.
Article 19-2
If a single-choice question is answered correctly, full points for that question shall be awarded.
For multiple-answer questions, each option is evaluated independently. Full points are awarded only when all correct options are selected and no incorrect options are selected. If k options are answered incorrectly, the score for that questions will be calculated as (5-2k)/5 of the full score. If no options are selected, or if more than two options are answered incorrectly, the score for that questions shall be zero. (See Appendix for details on multiple-answer scoring.)
Article 20
For examination papers graded using computerized scoring systems, if anomalies are detected but the answer sheets can still be read, the following procedures shall apply:
1.If the examinee did not use the designated writing instrument, causing answers to be unreadable, scoring shall be based on the scanned results.
2.If the markings are unclear due to erasure, too light, or excessively large marks, scoring shall be based on the scanned results.
3.For single-choice questions with defects in the question or answer options, and the correct answer has been revised in accordance with the National Examination Question Clarification Procedures, scoring of answers with multiple selections shall follow Article 4, Paragraph 2 of the National Examination Question Clarification Procedures.
4.If the answer sheet is damaged by the examinee and cannot be correctly scanned, scoring shall be based on the scanned results.
5.If the answer sheet cannot be correctly scanned due to damage caused during examination administration, contamination, adhesion of foreign substances, or other special circumstances, the examination administration division shall coordinate with the Department of Computer-based Testing and Information Management to photocopy the answer sheet. The photocopy must include a statement of the reason for photocopying and be jointly signed. After approval by the Chair of the Board of Examiners, the answer content shall be manually corrected in the electronic file for scoring. Once reviewed by the Chair of the Board of Examiners, the result shall be filed along with the original answer sheet by the examination administration division.
Article 21
For examination papers graded using computerized scoring systems, if unrelated text, symbols, or markings appear on the answer sheet, or if the sheet is damaged to the extent that none of the answers can be scanned, and upon verification the cause is confirmed to be attributable to the examinee, the case shall be documented and submitted along with the original answer sheet to the Chair of the Board of Examiners for approval and the score shall then be recorded as zero.
If an answer sheet is damaged during the examination administration process, the examination administration division shall, in coordination with the Department of Computer-based Testing and Information Management, photocopy the sheet. The reason for the photocopy shall be stated on the copy and jointly signed. With the approval of the Chair of the Board of Examiners, the data shall be re-entered either by re-scanning the copy or by manually inputting the answers. After the Chair has reviewed the processing result, the examination administration division shall file the photocopy together with the original answer sheet for record.
Article 22
The score for the examination paper shall be calculated as the total of the points awarded for each correctly answered question.
Article 23
After the answer sheets are scanned, the data shall be burned onto optical discs, which shall be kept by the MOEX Civil Service Ethics Office. The scanned electronic files shall be stored by the Department of Computer-based Testing and Information Management. Except under special circumstances approved by the Chair of the Board of Examiners and in accordance with the regulations for recalculating scores, the contents of the electronic files shall not be altered.
Article 24
Before answer sheets are graded using computerized scoring systems, the Department of Computer-based Testing and Information Management shall, together with the examination administration division and the Department of Testing Development, verify the accuracy of the score allocations for each question in each subject. Grading shall begin after this verification is completed.
When grading is conducted using computerized scoring systems, the Chair of the Board of Examiners or a member of the Board of Examiners shall randomly select 30 to 100 answer sheets from the completed papers of each subject for verification. If the number of completed answer sheets for a subject is fewer than 30, then 1 to 15 sheets shall be selected.
During the rechecking process, the Department of Computer-based Testing and Information Management shall print the electronic records of the selected answer sheets, including the recorded answers, scores, standard answers, and score allocations per question. These records shall be forwarded to the examination administration division, which shall compare them one by one with the markings on the physical answer sheets, the standard answers prepared by the Department of Testing Development, and the corresponding score allocations. The results of the recheck shall then be submitted to the Chair of the Board of Examiners for review.
Chapter Four: Grading the Chinese Subject Answer Sheets
Article 25
The grading of essay questions in the Chinese subject follows the standards below and may be adjusted depending on the nature, category, and level of the examination.
1.Interpretation of the main idea
2.Opinions
3.Wording and punctuation
4.Structure
The multiple-choice section of the Chinese subject is graded using computerized scoring systems.
Other question formats, as approved by the Ministry of Examination, may have their own grading standards depending on the nature, category, and level of the examination.
Article 26
When the Chinese subject examination papers of the same exam level and discipline are to be graded separately by three or more graders, a grading meeting shall be convened in advance to establish grading criteria based on the items listed in Paragraph 1 of the preceding article.
During the grading meeting, a number of papers shall be randomly selected as trial papers for evaluating the composition section. The compositions shall be scored using a three-tier system—high, medium, and low. If necessary, each tier may be further divided into three sub-levels—upper, middle, and lower—as the grading standard.
Chapter Five: Supplementary Provisions
Article 27
The verification of the grading results shall be conducted by the MOEX Statistics Office in accordance with the regulations on the spot checks on examination results.
Article 28
Members of the Board of Examiners and graders who are candidates themselves, or whose spouse or relatives within three degrees of relation are taking the examination shall recuse themselves from grading that examination. Any violation discovered shall result in disqualification from future appointments.
Members of the Board of Examiners, graders, and examination staff must maintain confidentiality regarding exam paper content, grading procedures, and grading results. Any breach of confidentiality shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 31 of the Examination Affairs Act.
Article 29
After the examination, if candidates raise questions regarding examination questions or the published answers to multiple-choice questions within the designated timeframe, the matter shall be handled and scored in accordance with the National Examination Question Clarification Procedures. If the question concerns the awarding of scores, it shall be handled in accordance with the Verification Application Procedures for Examinees.
Article 30
These Regulations shall come into effect upon promulgation.
In case of any discrepancy between the English version and the Chinese version, the latter shall prevail.
Files
Appendix to Article 19-2 Multiple-Answer Scoring