Relative and Absolute Grading: Techniques and Traits

This study examines the effectiveness of absolute and relative grading techniques within Indian engineering education, focusing on Faculty-Driven Grading (Normal Distribution), Mean-Standard Deviation Method, and Fixed Distribution Grading through Max-Min. Data from 1,054 first-year B.Tech students across three core engineering courses were analysedusing Analysis of Variation (ANOVA) to compare grading outcomes. Results show that Faculty-Driven and Mean-Standard Deviation relative grading methods produce grade distributions closely approximating a normal curve, with comparable results for average performers to absolute grading, but significant differences for high achievers. Fixed Distribution Grading displayed greater variability and less alignment with absolute methods. These insights suggest that selecting a grading approach requires balancing fairness, flexibility, and transparency, offering guidance to autonomous institutions and universities in choosing optimal evaluation methods