Example rubric for Science short answer exam
These excerpts are examples only; a rubric needs to be aligned with the subject’s outcomes and the criteria should address the specific task.
Example based on an anatomy subject
Criteria
Short answer questions:
1-7


Describe and draw
anatomical features or
processes studied in
the subject.
Use anatomical
terminology with
correct spelling
Possible Marks
Short answer questions:
8-12
Recall anatomical
terminology, position,
structures and processes
studied in the subject
(This includes content
from all lecture materials,
practical sessions,
tutorials, and on-line
discussions).
Compare anatomical
processes studied in the
HD
All the time or frequently
(between 100 – 85%)
uses correct anatomical
terminology including
correct spelling to clearly,
concisely and accurately
describe features or
processes. All or most
(between 100 – 85%) key
features and the links
between key features are
easily identified and
correctly labelled in the
drawing.
28 - 24
To achieve an HD
students need to obtain a
cumulative mark of
between 100 – 85% by:
 Accurately recalling
and applying all or
most discipline
terminology and
knowledge.
 Correctly spelling all
or most discipline
terms.
 Accurately comparing
and explaining all or
most processes in a
D
Frequently uses (between
84 - 75% of) correct
anatomical terminology
including correct spelling to
clearly and accurately
describe features or
processes. Most (between
84 -75% of) key features
and the links between key
features are easily
identified and correctly
labelled in the drawing.
CR
Uses between 74 - 65% of
the correct anatomical
terminology including
correct spelling to clearly
and accurately describe
features or processes.
Between 74 - 65% of the
key features and links
between key features are
easily identified and
correctly labelled in the
drawing.
PS
Uses between 64 - 50% of
the correct anatomical
terminology including
correct spelling to clearly
and accurately describe
features or processes.
Between 64 - 50% of the
key features and links
between key features are
easily identified and
correctly labelled in the
drawing.
FL
Uses between 49 - 0% of
the correct anatomical
terminology including
correct spelling to clearly
and accurately describe
features or processes.
Between 49 - 0% of the
key features and links
between key features are
easily identified and
correctly labelled in the
drawing.
23.5 - 21
To achieve a D students
need to obtain a
cumulative mark of
between 84 – 75% by:
 Accurately recalling
and using all or most
discipline terminology
and knowledge.
 Correctly spelling all or
most discipline terms.
 Accurately comparing
and explaining all or
most processes in a
clear, logical and
concise manner.
20.5 - 18
To achieve a CR students
need to obtain a
cumulative mark of
between 74 – 65% by:
 Accurately recalling
and using most
discipline terminology
and knowledge.
 Correctly spelling
most discipline terms.
 Accurately comparing
most processes in a
clear, logical and
concise manner.
 Using an appropriately
17.5 - 14
To achieve a PS students
need to obtain a
cumulative mark of
between 64 – 50% by:
 Accurately recalling
and using most or
some discipline
terminology and
knowledge.
 Correctly spelling
most or some
discipline terms.
 Accurately defining
most or some
processes in a clear,
13.5 – 0
To achieve a FL students
need to obtain a
cumulative mark of
between 49 – 0% by:
 Accurately recalling
and using some or no
discipline terminology
and knowledge.
 Correctly spelling
some or no discipline
terms.
 Accurately defining
some or no processes
in a clear, logical and
concise manner.
subject.
Use a flow chart to
describe anatomical
processes studied in the
subject.
Possible Marks

clear, logical and
concise manner.
Using an
appropriately labelled
flow chart to
accurately describe
processes and
including all or most
required information.
16 - 14
Example based on a science subject
Analyse information and
Accurately analyse
draw justified conclusions
provided information to
based on theory (or
draw justified conclusions
research) and/or best
that are logically
practice studied in this
supported by relevant and
subject.
current theories and/or
best practice. The answer
succinctly integrates and
links information into a
cohesive and coherent
piece of analysis and
consistently uses correct
terminology and
sophisticated language.
Possible Marks
28 - 24

Using an appropriately
labelled flow chart to
accurately describe
processes and
including all or most
required information.
13.5 - 12
Accurately analyse
provided information to
draw justified conclusions
that are generally logically
supported by relevant and
current theories and/or
best practice. The answer
is logically structured to
create a cohesive and
coherent piece of analysis
that consistently uses
correct terminology.
23.5 - 21
labelled flow chart to
accurately describe
processes and
including most
required information.

logical and concise
manner.
Using a labelled flow
chart to accurately
describe processes
and including most or
some required
information.

Using an appropriately
labelled flow chart to
accurately describe
processes and
including some or no
required information.
11.5 – 10.5
10 – 8
7.5 - 0
Accurately analyse most
of the provided information
to draw justified
conclusions that are
generally logically
supported by relevant and
current theories and/or
best practice. The answer
is generally logically
structured to create a
comprehensible, mainly
descriptive piece of work.
Some use of correct
terminology.
Accurately analyse most
of the provided information
to draw justified
conclusions that are
generally logically
supported by some
theories and/or best
practice. The answer
partially structured into
loosely-linked rudimentary
sentences to create a
comprehensible,
descriptive piece of work. .
Some use of correct
terminology.
17.5 - 14
Accurately analyse most
of the provided information
to draw justified
conclusions that are
generally logically
supported by some
theories and/or best
practice. The answer is
partially structured and
may tend to list
information. Uses
frequent informal
language.
20.5 - 18
13.5 – 0
Example based on a physical movement subject involving formula
Short answer questions:
Apply and manipulate
appropriate physics
formula or mathematical
processes to solve single
and multi-step problems in
familiar and unfamiliar
contexts.
Possible Marks
Identified, applied and
manipulated appropriate
formula or mathematical
processes in a logical and
clear manner to
accurately solve single
and multi-step problems
in familiar and unfamiliar
contexts.
Identified, applied and
manipulated appropriate
formula or processes in a
logical and clear manner to
accurately solve most
single and multi-step
problems in familiar and
unfamiliar contexts.
Identified, applied and
manipulated appropriate
formula or processes in a
generally logical and clear
manner to accurately
solve most single and
multi-step problems in
familiar contexts.
Identified, applied and
manipulated appropriate
formula or processes in a
generally logical and clear
manner to accurately
solve most single step and
some multi-step problems
in familiar contexts.
16 - 14
13.5 - 12
11.5 – 10.5
10 – 8
Identified and applied
appropriate formula or
processes to solve a
limited number (less than
half the problems) of
simple single step
problems in familiar
contexts or no problems
were correctly solved.
7.5 - 0