What Do Singapore University Lecturers Look for When Marking Assignments?

In Singapore, assignment marking depends on clear rubrics that assess subject knowledge, critical analysis, and well-structured arguments. Whereas students need to use accurate academic referencing, which carries particular weight in the final course grade, along with exams.

Moreover, a marking rubric is a tool designed to evaluate and grade students’ assignments against specific criteria and standards. It is a complete guide that lists specific parameters for grading academic tasks.

While studying in Singaporean universities, students need to undergo many types of assessments. Every assessment has a wide range of requirements.

For instance, Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) performs tutor-marked assignments (TMA) and group-based assignments (GBA). 

Being a learner, you have to write many different kinds of academic work, from essays to reports to case studies. In the next section, I will guide you on how Singapore professors search for one marking paper. 

Keytakeaway

• Clearly stated thesis: Stay away from general summaries and adopt firm stances
• Critical thinking over summarization: Examine and question the body of current literature
• Academic proof: Use peer-reviewed sources rather than blogs or websites.
• Organized argumentation: Make seamless transitions from body paragraphs to the thesis
• Perfect citations: fully adhere to APA or Chicago format
• Recognize the differences between the NUS, NTU, SMU, and SUSS grade systems.
• Steer clear of broad subjects and narrowly and precisely focus your research inquiries.
• Time management:  Finally, plan your research phases, start early, and give yourself time to revise before submitting. 

Singapore University Grading Rubric

The SUSS grading system is commonly used in the Singapore education system. Singapore universities use a GPA (Grade Point Average) scale. It is similar to those used by many other institutions.

What makes it different from others is how it measures grades. And the focus mostly on coursework and assignments.

Here is the Singapore University grading rubric table.

 

What do NUS lecturers look for in Essays?

NUS is a National university in Singapore; lecturers at NUS look for critical thinking, rigorous evidence, and accurate academic structure. 

They also look for strong formatting when grading learners’ essays. A strong assignment must create a clear, academic paper according to the NUS Centre for English Language Communication (CELC).

Here are key things NUS lecturers search for in papers.

1. A clear, nuanced thesis statement

While writing an essay or any academic task, you must write a main argument at the start of the paper.

But you have to avoid writing generic summaries. Instead, you have to take a decisive stand that directly tackles every part of the essay prompt.

2. Critical thinking over summary

Remember, strong papers or essays do not need to summarize course content or definitions. You have to use critical thinking skills, such as analyzing, assessing, and challenging the present literature in order to display original ideas and perspective.

3. Academic evidence and research

Your paper must be supported with credible academic data, academic theories or peer-reviewed literature. 

However, do not use subjective statements or generalizations that do not have citations.  

4. Structured and Fluent Argumentation

All bodies of your essay must focus on one topic sentence that directly engages back to your thesis statement.

On the flip side, professors or lecturers search for smooth changes and an objective academic tone.

5. Impeccable citations and formatting

Lastly, you will need to strictly follow the given citation style. These are APA or Chicago, and these are non-negotiable.

Remember, incomplete bibliographies, poor formatting, or inconsistent referencing will lower your grade quickly.

Grading System Differs Across Singaporean Universities

Universities in Singapore employ different grading systems. Some prioritise final examinations to determine the final mark. Others place more emphasis on frequent assessments such as assignments, projects, presentations, and participation.

You must understand this distinction as a student since any miscommunication might lead to a complete misinterpretation of your academic position. 

Moreover, you can consult our expert Assignment Help Singapore tutors on Singapore’s grading system if you are not familiar with it. 

Our writers will teach you, step by step, the significance of essays and the grading system of Singapore universities. 

For instance: 

1. NUS and NTU use the cumulative average point (CAP) system, graded from 0 to 5. 
2. SMU use a separate 4.0 scale for the GPA system.
3. SUSS places a strong focus on ongoing evaluations, such as Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs), which have a significant impact on the final grade. 
4. GPA systems at universities such as SIT and SIM are tailored to program-specific evaluation structures and differ greatly between faculties.
   

As a result, you can devote a great deal of attention and emphasis to your ongoing evaluations at SUSS. 

But if you study at NUS and NTU, where final test scores are given more weight, your best efforts should be directed toward achieving high scores.

How do Singapore professors Grade Assignments?

Here are the key ways Singapore professors grade assignments.

• Topic Understanding: This component, which accounts for 20% to 25% of the score, evaluates how well a student responds to the main question and applies pertinent ideas.
• Critical analysis (worth 20% to 30%): It assesses the breadth of ideas, creative thinking, and assessment of actual situations.
• Research Quality: Professors examine the choice of reliable data sources, literature, and evidence (worth 15% to 20%).
• Structure and Organization: Assesses the writing’s logical flow, scholarly tone, and clarity (worth 10% to 15%).
• Referencing & Citations: Lastly, it verifies academic integrity and compliance with specified citation styles (worth 5% to 10%).

Common Assignment Mistakes Singapore students make

Global students studying at Singapore universities make plenty of mistakes when writing assignments.

Below are these mistakes, along with tips to avoid them.

1. Selecting a research topic that is too broad

Among the most common assignment mistakes Singapore students make is choosing a broad topic. They select a topic that is too broad to explore effectively.

Moreover, they also choose a topic within the available time, word count and resources.

How to avoid it

For that, you have to ask yourself these questions.

• What precisely am I researching?
• Who or what is the topic of research?
• Where does the research take place?
• What particular connection or issue am I analyzing?
• Can I genuinely explore or research this within my deadline?

2. Having Research Aims that do not Match the Question

The question of your research assignment and goals must be working together. One common mistake Singapore students make is setting aims that sound academically good.

However, don’t stop at answering the research question.

For instance:

Research question

• How does remote working impact employee connection in Singapore SMEs?

Possible aims you can investigate

1. Present online working methods
2. Employee levels of engagement.
3. The connection between online working and engagement 
4. What factors can impact the connection? 

3. Failing to create a clear research gap

Your assignment must have a reason for performing the investigation.

Often, learners write the statement below.

• Not much information is available on this topic.

The above statement is unclear. You must identify a specific limitation in the current research; this is a key element of a solid research gap.

Let suppose

• A certain population has not been investigated suitably 
• Present studies focus on one more geographical setting
• Past studies leverage a different method
• Present findings are conflicting
• Recent growth has created a new research issue

Your research gap must logically and wisely lead in the direction of your research question

4. Writing a weak research question

While writing assignments, you have to focus on a strong research question. But if the question is not clear, nearly every other section can be tough for you.

Here are examples of weak questions.

• Too wide or broad
• Too descriptive
• Hard to measure and calculate
• Challenging to answer the question with accessible data
• Not related to the methodology
• Not related to the research objectives

Remember a concrete research question must offer a clear path for your research. 

5. Depend too much on websites

Online sources can generally become effective and valuable. Assignments typically need a strong connection with suitable academic literature.

While writing your paper, you need to avoid these sources.

• Random websites
• Blogs
• Unverified articles
• Commercial pages
• Wikipedia as a primary academic source
• Search-engine summaries

For writing papers, only use credible academic sources such as Google Scholar, JSTOR, academic journals and peer-reviewed articles.