Learner marks in d6 and SA-SAMS sometimes differ, either by a small percentage or, in a few cases, quite noticeably. This article explains the two most common causes: the term mark calculation method selected in d6, and the Task Mark-Out-Of value set in the Learning Program. It is intended for school administrators, educators and curriculum staff who manage curriculum marks and reconcile them between the two systems.

How do the three calculation methods differ?

d6 offers three methods for calculating term marks. You can select the method per grade and per term.

My School > Curriculum > Learning Programs

The available options are:

• Original (d6 method): Keeps all decimals throughout the calculation and rounds only the final subject mark.

• SA-SAMS - All Subjects: Applies the SA-SAMS calculation method to all subjects.

• SA-SAMS - DOE Subjects: Applies the SA-SAMS calculation method to DOE subjects only.

When you export marks from d6 to SA-SAMS, SA-SAMS recalculates the term mark using the SA-SAMS method. That method rounds the mark at each step of the calculation, first from assessment to task, and then from task to subject. Because the Original d6 method does not round at these intermediate steps and only rounds at the end, slight percentage differences can appear between the two systems.

Which method should our school select?

If your school wants the marks in d6 to match SA-SAMS exactly, select one of the two SA-SAMS methods for consistency across both systems. Please note that the Original d6 method remains the most mathematically accurate option, because it avoids rounding at every step and does not round until the final mark.

Consistency vs accuracy: The SA-SAMS methods give matching marks across d6 and SA-SAMS, while the Original d6 method gives the most accurate calculation.

Why is a mark sometimes much lower than expected?

Larger differences, most often seen in the Foundation Phase, are usually caused by a low Task Mark-Out-Of value. This value is set in Step 4 of the Learning Program setup.

My School > Curriculum > Setup Learning Program > Step 4

Worked example

In this example, a Mathematics task called Data Handling Practical has a Task Mark-Out-Of of 2 and a task weight of 5. You can follow the full calculation in the Detailed Marks report.

Reports > Learners > Marks Reports > Generate the Detailed Marks report

1. The learner scores 21 out of 30 for the assessment, which equals 70%.

2. Because the Task Mark-Out-Of is 2, the 70% converts to 1 out of 2.

3. Because the task weight is 5, the 1 out of 2 converts to 2.5 out of 5, which equals 50%.

The learner achieved 70% for the assessment, but the low Task Mark-Out-Of pulls the final mark down to 50%.

How do we prevent this?

Set all Task Mark-Out-Of values to larger figures, up to 100 where possible. The conversion is then far more accurate and major discrepancies in learner marks are avoided. Once you have adjusted the settings, confirm exactly how the mark was calculated on the Detailed Marksheet.

Reports > Learners > Mark Sheets > Detailed Marksheet

Notes and important information

• Pink warning highlight in Step 4: This indicates that the Task Mark-Out-Of does not match the total mark-out-of for the linked assessments. It is a notification only, not an error, and can be ignored.

• Settings apply per grade and per term: The calculation method is selected separately for each grade and each term, so check every grade and term your school needs to align.

• Consistency vs accuracy: Choose an SA-SAMS method when matching marks across systems matters most, and the Original d6 method when calculation accuracy matters most.

• Support is available: If you would like help adjusting your settings or interpreting your mark calculations, please contact the d6 support team and we will assist you.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the mark in SA-SAMS different from the mark in d6?

SA-SAMS recalculates the term mark after the export using its own method, which rounds the mark at each step of the calculation. If d6 is set to the Original (d6 method), which rounds only the final subject mark, the two systems can return slightly different percentages.

Which calculation method should I select in d6?

Select SA-SAMS - All Subjects or SA-SAMS - DOE Subjects if you want the marks in d6 to match SA-SAMS exactly. Select Original (d6 method) if you prefer the most mathematically accurate result, and accept that small differences will appear after the export.

Where do I change the term mark calculation method?

Go to My School > Curriculum > Learning Programs. The method is selected per grade and per term.

Why is a learner's 70% showing as 50%?

A low Task Mark-Out-Of is converting the mark down. Raise the Task Mark-Out-Of value in Step 4 of the Learning Program setup at My School > Curriculum > Setup Learning Program.

Why is a learner's final mark lower than the percentage they scored for the assessment?

This usually happens when the Task Mark-Out-Of is set to a small number, such as 2. The assessment percentage is first converted to that small value and then converted again to the task weight, and the rounding in between lowers the final mark.

What should I set the Task Mark-Out-Of to?

Use the largest practical value, up to 100. Larger values keep the conversion accurate and prevent noticeable differences between the assessment percentage and the final task mark.

What does the pink highlight in Step 4 of the Learning Program setup mean?

It means the Task Mark-Out-Of does not match the total mark-out-of for the assessments linked to that task. It is a notification rather than an error and is safe to ignore.

How can I see exactly how a learner's mark was calculated?

Generate the Detailed Marks report at Reports > Learners > Marks Reports, or open the Detailed Marksheet at Reports > Learners > Mark Sheets > Detailed Marksheet. Both show each step of the calculation from assessment to task to subject.