Normalization refers to adjusting values measured on different scales to a nationally common scale. It is basically done to evaluate the performance of all the candidates on the basis of similar exam parameters. It aims to adjust the difficulty level across different shifts of the exam. It means increasing and/or decreasing the marks obtained by students in different timing sessions to a certain number. It aims to adjust the difficulty level across different shifts of the exam. The marks normalization is a process by which an exam conducting body tries to bring parity level especially in those examinations which are conducted in different shifts with different sets of papers. There is possibility that every shift’s paper’s difficulty level may not be the same, hence normalization is very important.
How normalization is done
Normalization procedure is a Scientific and Statistical Process. The process is not for awarding the grace marks.
The process is completely based on the statistical parameters calculated on the basis of the performance of the candidate in all sessions.
The normalization procedure is totally based on the raw score of candidates. Raw Score is known as the initial stage of the calculation of marks. These are the scores which are obtained by the aspirants by answering correctly in each section of the Exam. These are the scores calculated after applying the penalty for wrong answers.
Example – If the negative marking is 1/3 and candidate answered 50 questions, out of which 12 were wrong, then the Raw score will be 50-12-12*(1/3) = 34, Here 34 are Raw Marks.
The statistical parameters of a session e.g. mean marks and standard deviation of marks scored by the aspirants in the session are analyzed and totally based on the calculated values of all these parameters a session is taken as the base session.
The base session is taken to equalize the level of difficulty of each session.
Among the sessions that having 70% or above the average attendance of all the session, the mean of the raw score with the maximum value will be taken as the base session.
There may be certain changes in different exams but the basic principal of normalization is same, students are advised that they should study the normalization procedure of different exams before taking the exam.
What is the need of normalization?
Many times it happens that the candidates' paper is held on the same day, but the paper is organized in different shifts and have different difficulty levels. Hence students who get easy paper score more and the students who get difficult paper score less which impact their selection chances. To eradicate this discrepancy the exam conducting Governing boards of India have introduced the concept of normalization of marks in exams.
Does normalization has a negative impact
Normalization does not have a negative impact on the prospects of a student being selected or not. However normalization may lead to increase or decrease in actual marks scored by the student. The students should just follow the next step(s) in their selection process.
What are the major effects of normalization?
It can be said that normalization of marks would have a drastic positive impact on all the upcoming government exams.
Students who have appeared in exam with difficult and easier level would now be considered on a single platform. There will be no disregard of marks based on different shifts. Students who think they have scored the minimum marks in their shift might receive higher scores. Students who think they might have score high marks would actually get lower normalized marks.
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