Sisra Analytics: How do I fix DC Exams Check warnings in KS3/4 Matching? (Admin)

Overview

This article explains how to troubleshoot problems indicated by the DC Exams Check on the Matching page based on a series of different scenarios. When completing the Matching page, the DC Exams Check compares the grades, entries, and point values for a qualification’s grade method with the expected grades, entries, and point values for the linked qualification, highlighting any potential issues using a magnifying glass icon:

When the magnifying glass icon is displayed, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the grade method needs to be changed. It's only an indicator of a potential issue. 

Instructions

Follow these instructions to identify and fix DC Exams Check warnings:

  • Select the DC Exams Check tool to open the DC Exams Check window.
    1. This shows any discrepancies between qualifications grouped by grade method, for example, Music Grade 6, 7, and 8 qualifications could be grouped using a Graded Music grade method:
    2. The DC Exams Check will only check for discrepancies in the points and entries, not the actual grades. In the screenshot above Dist is being used as the grade method, which is perfectly fine to do, while the official grade is Distinction.
    3. If the current grade method differs from what’s expected based on the QN code entered on the Matching page, the differences can be checked in the tables below the qualification(s). The left table comprises the grades, points, and entries from the grade method set in the KS4 Exams term of the EAP. The right table shows the official performance points expected:
      1. Where a green tick displays next to qualifications, the grade method matches the expected points and entries.
      2. Where there is no tick, the points or entries don’t match, and the issue needs to be investigated and corrected, as necessary. In the example above, the method check is flagged because the points value for Pass is 7 when it should be 8.5.
    4. Use the guidance detailed below to investigate and resolve discrepancies (as necessary).

  • Where grades appear in the expected grades list but not in the grades shown on the left, resolve the issue based on whether all qualifications using that grading method are affected and your school's setup. 

    Follow the appropriate steps below to fix missing grade errors:

    • Open the Matching page and check whether all affected qualifications use the same EAP:
      1. Select DATA.
      2. Select Key Stage 3/4.
      3. Select Cohort.
      4. Select Grades.
      5. Select Matching.
        • If they use the same EAP, go to Step 2.
        • If they do not use the same EAP, go to Step 4.
    • Where qualifications use the same EAP, open CONFIG > Grade Methods > KS3/4 Methods and check if there is already a suitable grade method:
      1. Select CONFIG.
      2. Select Grade Methods.
      3. Select KS3/4 Methods.
      4. Review the grade methods available:
        • If a suitable grade method exists, go to Step 3.
        • If a suitable grade method does not exist, go to Step 5.
    • Edit the existing EAP with the correct grade method:
      1. Select DATA.
      2. Select Key Stage 3/4.
      3. Select Cohort.
      4. Select KS2/EAP.
      5. Select EAP.
      6. Select the EAP Name for the EAP you want to update.
      7. Select Edit EAP.
      8. Make your changes.
      9. Select Save to update the EAP and resolve the problem.
    • For qualifications using different EAPs, check to see if there is already a suitable grade method:
      1. Select CONFIG.
      2. Select Grade Methods.
      3. Select KS3/4 Methods.
      4. Review the grade methods available:
        • If a suitable grade method exists, go to Step 6.
        • If a suitable grade method does not exist, go to Step 7.
    • Where an existing grade method does not exist:
      1. Create a new, appropriate Grade Method (see Sisra Analytics: KS3/4 - Creating Grade Methods (Admin)).
      2. Create a new EAP using this grade method (see Sisra Analytics: KS3/4 - Creating EAPs (Admin)).
      3. Select DATA.
      4. Select Key Stage 3/4.
      5. Select Cohort.
      6. Select Grades.
      7. Select Matching.
      8. Select Edit.
      9. Update the EAP for the appropriate Qualification.
      10. Select Save Changes, to save your update and resolve the problem.

    • To update multiple EAPs with an existing grade method:

      1. Select DATA.
      2. Select Key Stage 3/4.
      3. Select Cohort.
      4. Select KS2/EAP.
      5. Select EAP.
      6. For each EAP you want to update:
        1. Select the EAP Name for the EAP you want to update.
        2. Select Edit EAP.
        3. Make your changes.
        4. Select Save to update the EAP.

      After saving your changes to all EAPs, the problem should be resolved. 

    • To create a new grade method and apply it to multiple EAPs:

      1. Create a new, appropriate Grade Method (see Sisra Analytics: KS3/4 - Creating Grade Methods (Admin)).
      2. Select DATA.
      3. Select Key Stage 3/4.
      4. Select Cohort.
      5. Select KS2/EAP.
      6. Select EAP.
      7. For each EAP you want to update:
        1. Select the EAP Name for the EAP you want to update.
        2. Select Edit EAP.
        3. Make your changes.
        4. Select Save to update the EAP.

      After saving your changes to all EAPs, the problem should be resolved. 

  • You must fix any incorrect points or entries for grades to ensure accuracy of your school's Headline figures in the reports, as the performance points for that qualification won’t be correctly represented. An example of this is shown below:

    Grades with 0 entries will not appear in the left table. For example, if a U grade is set to 0 entries it will trigger the method check, appearing to be missing. Entries need to be updated to reflect this (a U grade would be 1 entry).

    An L1P in a BTEC First Award is worth different points (1.75) to an L1P in a BTEC Tech Award (1.25). If your school offers both qualifications, you must have two grade methods with the correct points, and separate EAPs for these two types of qualifications.

    Follow these steps to fix incorrect points or entries:

    • Open the Matching page and check whether all affected qualifications use the same EAP:
      1. Select DATA.
      2. Select Key Stage 3/4.
      3. Select Cohort.
      4. Select Grades.
      5. Select Matching.
        • If they use the same EAP, go to Step 2.
        • If they do not use the same EAP, go to Step 4.
    • Where qualifications use the same EAP, open CONFIG > Grade Methods > KS3/4 Methods and check if there is already a suitable grade method:
      1. Select CONFIG.
      2. Select Grade Methods.
      3. Select KS3/4 Methods.
      4. Review the grade methods available:
        • If a suitable grade method exists, go to Step 3.
        • If a suitable grade method does not exist, go to Step 5.
    • Edit the existing EAP with the appropriate grade method:
      1. Select DATA.
      2. Select Key Stage 3/4.
      3. Select Cohort.
      4. Select KS2/EAP.
      5. Select EAP.
      6. Select the EAP Name for the EAP you want to update.
      7. Select Edit EAP.
      8. Apply the correct grade method.
      9. Select Save to update the EAP and resolve the problem.
    • For qualifications using different EAPs, check to see if there is already a suitable grade method:
      1. Select CONFIG.
      2. Select Grade Methods.
      3. Select KS3/4 Methods.
      4. Review the grade methods available:
        • If a suitable grade method exists, go to Step 6.
        • If a suitable grade method does not exist, go to Step 7.
    • Where an existing grade method does not exist:
      1. Create a new, appropriate Grade Method (see Sisra Analytics: KS3/4 - Creating Grade Methods (Admin)).
      2. Create a new EAP using this grade method (see Sisra Analytics: KS3/4 - Creating EAPs (Admin)).
      3. Select DATA.
      4. Select Key Stage 3/4.
      5. Select Cohort.
      6. Select KS2/EAP.
      7. Select the EAP Name for the EAP you want to update.
      8. Select Edit.
      9. Update the EAP with the new Grade Method.
      10. Select Save Changes, to save your update and resolve the problem.

    • To update multiple EAPs with an existing grade method:

      1. Select DATA.
      2. Select Key Stage 3/4.
      3. Select Cohort.
      4. Select KS2/EAP.
      5. Select EAP.
      6. For each EAP you want to update:
        1. Select the EAP Name for the EAP you want to update.
        2. Select Edit EAP.
        3. Make your changes.
        4. Select Save to update the EAP.

      After saving your changes to all EAPs, the problem should be resolved. 

    • To create a new grade method and apply it to multiple EAPs:

      1. Create a new, appropriate Grade Method (see Sisra Analytics: KS3/4 - Creating Grade Methods (Admin)).
      2. Select DATA.
      3. Select Key Stage 3/4.
      4. Select Cohort.
      5. Select KS2/EAP.
      6. Select EAP.
      7. For each EAP you want to update:
        1. Select the EAP Name for the EAP you want to update.
        2. Select Edit EAP.
        3. Apply the new Grade Method.
        4. Select Save to update the EAP.

      After saving your changes to all EAPs, the problem should be resolved. 

  • The DC Exams Method Check will show if there are unofficial or internal grades where the points aren’t recognised. However, if all official grades shown on the right are also present, and have the correct points and entries values, this can be ignored. 

    For example, the grade method below includes a W (Working Towards) grade not in the expected grade method. However, since all other grades and points are correct and the W grade isn’t uploaded to the Exams data set, Headline figures will still be calculated correctly, and the method can remain unchanged:

Related information

Attachments

Below are flowchart views of the troubleshooting methods detailed above:

Updated

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