13 - Slovakia - Student assessment
Student Evaluation - Bachelor's Study, Magister’s Study, Engineer’s Study and Doctor’s Study
Details
on evaluation of student performances during his study are set up in
study rules of universities and faculties. Procedures of evaluation of
students vary.
The organisation of all levels and forms of
higher education study is based on the credit system. The credit system
of study enables by credits to evaluate the student’s load connected
with the completion of the units of study program in agreement with the
rules contained in the study program. The standard load is expressed by
the number of credits as follows: 60 for academic year, 30 credits for
semester and 20 credits for trimester.
The evaluation of the student results within the framework of the subject study is carried out, in particular, by
a)
continuous check up of the study results during the teaching part of
the given period of study (examination questions, written tests, tasks
for individual work, papers, courseworks, etc.),
b) examination for the given period of study.
The
subject completion is evaluated by a mark. A mark expresses the quality
of acquisition of knowledge or skills in agreement with the aim of the
subject. The result of evaluation is recorded in study book (index).
Evaluation by a mark is carried out according to the system of grading composed of six grades:
- excellent = 1
- B – very good = 1,
- C – good = 2
- D – satisfactory = 2,5
- E – sufficient = 3
- FX – fail = 4
The
student shall obtain credits for the subject if his/her result were
assessed by any of the classification grades from A to E. For
evaluation of overall study records of the student in a defined period
the use is made of course weighted average. It is counted in such a way
that the products of number of credits and numerical assessment in the
period assessed shall be summed up and the result shall be divided by
total number of credits registered by the student for the given period.
With
efficacy from 1 November 2002 the Decree of the Ministry of Education
of the Slovak Republic No. 614/2002 of Law Code was issued on the
credit system of study the content of which is compatible with ECTS.
The
credit system is successfully used in the area of mobility which allows
transfer and accumulation of the credits under the conditions set out
in agreement between the sending and beneficiary higher education
institution.
More efforts are also directed at evaluation of
preparedness of university graduates for practice, eventually, at
assessment of individual faculties. For example, testing Young Talents
is oriented at assessment of faculties of economics. In academic year
2006/07 over 400 students from ten economic faculties and one private
higher education institution got involved in it upon completing their
terms of study. A review of current events in economy, logistics,
language skills and computer literacy were subject of testing.
Evaluation of PhD student
The study and research part of PhD study is annually specified at annual evaluation of the PhD student.
The forms of evaluation of PhD student are the following:
- annual evaluation
- dissertation examination
- defence of a dissertation.
The
annual evaluation of PhD student rests in estimation of the state and
level of the PhD study, inspection of fulfilling the set up tasks of
the study and scientific parts of the PhD study. The annual evaluation
of the PhD student is carried out by the instructor in cooperation with
the PhD student in a written form. He/she submits it to the head of the
training institute along with the proposal of continuation, expulsion
or prolongation.
The dissertation examination and the defence of
dissertation belong to the State examination. The examination
commission has 4 members at least. If the PhD student has applied for
the dissertation theme proposed by the external educational
institution, both the dissertation examination and the defence of the
dissertation thesis take place before the commission in which there is
a parity representation of the members of the higher education
institution and the members determined by the external educational
institution.
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009