3. Marking points
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which students have provided extra responses. The general principle to be followed in such a situation i
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3. Marking points
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which students have provided extra responses. The general principle to be followed in such a situation is that ‘right + wrong = wrong’.
Each error / contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of error / contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no marks can be awarded.
However, responses considered to be neutral (indicated as * in example 1) are not penalised.
Example 1: What is the pH of an acidic solution?
Student Response Marks
awarded
1 green, 5 0
2 red*, 5 1
3 red*, 8 0
Example 2: Name two planets in the solar system.
Student Response Marks awarded
1 Neptune, Mars, Moon 1
2 Neptune, Sun, Mars, Moon 0
3.2 Use of chemical symbols / formulae
[1 mark]
[2 marks]
If a student writes a chemical symbol / formula instead of a required chemical name, full credit can be given if the symbol / formula is correct and if, in the context of the question, such action is appropriate.
3.3 Marking procedure for calculations
Marks should be awarded for each stage of the calculation completed correctly, as students are instructed to show their working. Full marks can, however, be given for a correct numerical answer, without any working shown.
3.4 Interpretation of ‘it’
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers to the correct subject.
3.5 Errors carried forward
Any error in the answers to a structured question should be penalised once only.
Papers should be constructed in such a way that the number of times errors can be carried forward is kept to a minimum. Allowances for errors carried forward are most likely to be restricted to calculation questions and should be shown by the abbreviation ecf in the marking scheme.
3.6 Phonetic spelling
The phonetic spelling of correct scientific terminology should be credited unless there is a possible confusion with another technical term.
3.7 Brackets
(…..) are used to indicate information which is not essential for the mark to be awarded but is included to help the examiner identify the sense of the answer required.
3.8 Allow
In the mark scheme additional information, ‘allow’ is used to indicate creditworthy alternative answers.
3.9 Ignore
Ignore is used when the information given is irrelevant to the question or not enough to gain the marking point. Any further correct amplification could gain the marking point.
3.10 Do not accept
Do not accept means that this is a wrong answer which, even if the correct answer is given as well, will still mean that the mark is not awarded.
4. Level of response marking instructions
Extended response questions are marked on level of response mark schemes.
• Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor.
• The descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level.
• There are two marks in each level.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer, read through the answer and annotate it (as instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme.
Step 1: Determine a level
Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the answer.
When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer. Do not look to penalise small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest. If the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit approach for defining the level.
Use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within the level, ie if the response is predominantly level 2 with a small amount of level 3 material it would be placed in level 2 but be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the level 3 content.
Step 2: Determine a mark
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how to allocate marks can help with this.
The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help. There will be an answer in the standardising materials which will correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This answer will have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer with the example to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark on the example.
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the points mentioned in the indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.
You should ignore any irrelevant points made. However, full marks can be awarded only if there are no incorrect statements that contradict a correct response.
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