Effects of Temporary Mark Withholding on Academic Performance

Although feedback engagement is important for learning, students often do not engage with provided to inform future assignments. One factor low uptake the easy access grades. Thus, systematically delaying grade release in favor of providing first— temporary mark withholding—may increase students’ feedback. We tested hypothesis that withholding would have positive effects on (a) academic performance (Experiments 1 and 2) (b) (Experiment authentic psychology university settings. For Experiment 1, 116 Year 2 were randomly assigned either a Grade-before-feedback or Feedback-before-grade condition their report semester was measured similar assessment 2. In 2, 3 student cohort ( t) lab before marks released (mark group, N = 97) compared previous t-1) where individual grades simultaneously (historical control 90). Using this multi-methodological approach, we reveal higher education Practical implications are discussed.