As an HSC marker can I just say that we will try to read it - but if we can't read it we can't mark it.
It doesn't get handed to some specialist, it doesn't get handed to a typist, it doesn't get handed to the Senior Marker.
What happens is that the marker assigned the paper is allowed to consult with another marker to see if they can work out a few more words - and that is usually the SM - for the simple reason that if one marker in the group can't read it the chances are that the second marker won't be able to read it and so the SM will be consulted again and finally if they two marks are far enough apart it will be taken back to the SM anyway - who would then be reading it for the third time.
Handwriting is a part of the communication skill set and you are being assessed on your ability to communicate - so if it can't be read it can't be marked.
Another furphy I hear every so often is that students are called in to read their work to the markers - again no - that would be totally unfair on the students who do the HSC overseas or even just the rural areas of the state.
If your handwriting is bad then you need to spend time working on that e.g. practice by writing out your notes so that you are studying and practicing your handwriting at the same time - and as you would need to concentrate on what you are writing it might even improve your studying.
It doesn't get handed to some specialist, it doesn't get handed to a typist, it doesn't get handed to the Senior Marker.
What happens is that the marker assigned the paper is allowed to consult with another marker to see if they can work out a few more words - and that is usually the SM - for the simple reason that if one marker in the group can't read it the chances are that the second marker won't be able to read it and so the SM will be consulted again and finally if they two marks are far enough apart it will be taken back to the SM anyway - who would then be reading it for the third time.
Handwriting is a part of the communication skill set and you are being assessed on your ability to communicate - so if it can't be read it can't be marked.
Another furphy I hear every so often is that students are called in to read their work to the markers - again no - that would be totally unfair on the students who do the HSC overseas or even just the rural areas of the state.
If your handwriting is bad then you need to spend time working on that e.g. practice by writing out your notes so that you are studying and practicing your handwriting at the same time - and as you would need to concentrate on what you are writing it might even improve your studying.