Is group assessment unfair if some students contribute much more than others?
Not necessarily, but giving everyone the same grade can be unfair when contributions differ substantially and individual effort or learning is not reflected. Equal grading may be appropriate when the course emphasizes a shared collaborative outcome, while other courses use individual marks, peer assessment, or records of participation to adjust for differences.
Key points
- Fairness depends on the assignment’s purpose and assessment design.
- Keeping records of task allocation, progress, and contributions to the final work can help make individual effort clear.
- If a problem arises, consult the instructor before the deadline and ask how the criteria and any adjustment process work.
Things to check
- Whether individual or peer assessment is used, and how it affects grades, varies by university, faculty, and course; check the syllabus or official course information.