Is it important to write within the word count?
Answer
Yes, you must manage your work within the word count limit to meet the expectations of the assessment.
The word count limit generally allows for a 10% (+/-) margin. This means that if you have to write a 1,000-word report, you need to write between 900 words and 1,100 words.
There is a penalty for writing beyond/below the word count margin, as documented on pages 5-6 of the Assessment Procedure for Higher Education Coursework guide. So it is important to keep your writing within the expected word count margin to avoid penalties.
What is included in the word count?
If you are concerned about your word count, it is important that you reach out to your learning facilitator to discuss what is expected and needs to be included for the assessment.
More information about our university's policy on word counts can be found on pages 4-6 of the Assessment Procedure for Higher Education Coursework guide.