This document discusses grade-based assessment (GBA), a system used to provide clearer assessment criteria and faster feedback. GBA was piloted in the Department of Art and Design starting in 2013. It uses a graduated marking scheme that separates marks into grade bands aligned with descriptors. Staff and student feedback was generally positive, finding it provided clearer grade boundaries and expectations while saving time. Analysis of student performance found mean scores and standard deviations were consistent with previous years, indicating grades were not inflated.