CASS in most instances will not block summative assessment entry and therefore, students will gain automatic entry to attempt the standard (first) summative assessment opportunity regardless of a poor/ low CASS unless otherwise indicated in your Programme Assessments Schedule (PAS).
Students will however be required to qualify for subsequent sittings meeting certain criteria.
Under normal circumstances, there are three summative assessment sitting opportunities in an academic year, the below table outlines the general principles for each summative assessment opportunity:
Opportunities available | Summative Assessment Sitting opportunity | Automatic Entry | Other requirements |
1 | Standard (First) sitting/submission | Yes | There are exceptions for certain core modules within certain professional qualifications which require a CASS subminimum to be granted entry into the summative as indicated on the PAS. |
2 | Supplementary sitting/ resubmission | No | Undergraduate and postgraduate students are required to achieve an exam subminimum in the standard sitting AS WELL AS achieve an overall module mark of between 40% and 48% to qualify for the supplementary sitting/ resubmission opportunity. |
3 | Discontinuation sitting/ resubmission | No | This is reserved for qualifications or modules that are being discontinued/ phased out. Students are required to apply for this opportunity via the student hub. After the discontinuation opportunities, should a student qualify for a Dean’s Exam, this will take place in the next available sitting of the follow academic year. |
Dean’s sitting/ resubmission | No | This is reserved for undergraduate students who have only one module outstanding to graduate. Students are required to apply for this opportunity via the student hub. |
Is CASS required?
Certain professional qualifications require a CASS subminimum of 40% to gain entry into the summative assessment. Where CASS is required in a module, this will be indicated on your PAS. For most qualifications, CASS in not required for summative entry however it is still important because it contributes to your overall module mark and is a good indication of your progress and possibility of success in a module. We recommend that you aim towards a 40% CASS mark as it will support you in preparation for your final summative assessment and overall module success. It Is also important to note that your Cumulative Assessment (CASS) mark is the sum total of the marks you will have achieved for your formative assessments, including ICE, which contributes to your final mark for a module.