We’re undergoing an exciting period of transformation at Macquarie. From the physical changes we can see taking place all around campus, through to the curriculum transformation work happening under Program Beacon – and everything else in between – it’s all about providing a great experience for our students and setting them up for success.

One of the lesser known, but still significant changes we’re making is in the way we calculate a student’s academic achievement. At the moment we use a Grade Point Average (GPA) to work this out, however, from 2020 Macquarie will be using Weighted Average Mark (WAM).

A WAM provides a simple and more nuanced indication of a student’s academic achievement and, unlike GPA, a student’s WAM recognises all of their effort and not just effort in units they have passed. WAM has also (more recently) become the higher education sector norm with more and more institutions moving away from GPA. The latest institutions to do this were the University of Melbourne and the University of Newcastle.

What’s the difference?

In short, a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by averaging all grades achieved in units passed through their course. The student’s grade performance (pass, credit etc) is given a numerical value. Due to a change in policy and some legacy issues, we currently use two GPA scores (out of 4 and out of 7). The scores are averaged which then become the student’s GPA. Under our current GPA system, a student who fails a unit gets zero recognition for that effort in the calculation of GPA.

Alternatively, a student’s Weighted Average Mark (WAM) uses the student’s final mark (eg: 78, 89, 63, 48 and so on) rather than the grade band to make the calculation of achievement. It includes marks in the Fail band (ie below 50). The WAM is a figure out of 100 and therefore can map against a student’s performance in individual units; making understanding their WAM and their performance clearer.

When will we see the change?

All Macquarie students will see a WAM (instead of a GPA) on their transcript from the time they move to the new 2020 curriculum. However, if a student has completed a course prior to 2020, their GPA will be displayed on their transcript for that particular course. Students completing their course in 2019, including session 3 students, will not transition to WAM but all other continuing students will.

To get ready for this change, MQ is currently updating processes and policies as appropriate to move from GPA to WAM. Under Program Beacon, the Student Management System – due to go live later in the year – will also be configured to calculate WAM, and the Beacon team are currently working with colleagues to ensure we capture the necessary requirements.

Every student-centred change we make like this one, empowers our students towards success.

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Staff wanting to know more about our transition to WAM can email beacon@mq.edu.au or visit the Program Beacon wiki page here

Students wanting to know more about WAM can visit the MQ2020 information pages here, submit an enquiry through askMQ or drop in and chat face to face at Student Connect.