A-level PHYSICS 7408/3BE Paper 3 Section B Electronics

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However, if the answer is incorrect, mark(s) can usually be gained by correct substitution / working and this is shown in the ‘extra information’ column or by each stage of a longer calculation. ... A calculation must be followed through to answer in decimal form. An answer in surd form is never acceptable for the final (evaluation) mark in a calculation and will therefore generally be denied one mark. 3.3 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. 3.4 Errors carried forward, consequential marking and arithmetic errors Allowances for errors carried forward are likely to be restricted to calculation questions and should be shown by the abbreviation ECF or conseq in the marking scheme. An arithmetic error should be penalised for one mark only unless otherwise amplified in the marking scheme. Arithmetic errors may arise from a slip in a calculation or from an incorrect transfer of a numerical value from data given in a question. 3.5 Phonetic spelling The phonetic spelling of correct scientific terminology should be credited (eg fizix) unless there is a possible confusion (eg defraction/refraction) with another technical term. 3.6 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. 3.7 Ignore / Insufficient / Do not allow ‘Ignore’ or ‘insufficient’ 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. ‘Do not allow’ means that this is a wrong answer which, even if the correct answer is given, will still mean that the mark is not awarded. 3.8 Significant figure penalties Answers to questions in the practical sections (7407/2 – Section A and 7408/3A) should display an appropriate number of significant figures. For non-practical sections, an A-level paper may contain up to 2 marks (1 mark for AS) that are contingent on the candidate quoting the final answer in a calculation to a specified number of significant figures (sf). This will generally be assessed to be the number of sf of the datum with the least number of sf from which the answer is determined. The mark scheme will give the range of sf that are acceptable but this will normally be the sf of the datum (or this sf -1). An answer in surd form cannot gain the sf mark. An incorrect calculation following some working can gain the sf mark. For a question beginning with the command word ‘Show that…’, the answer should be quoted to one more sf than the sf quoted in the question eg ‘Show that X is equal to about 2.1 cm’ – MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL PHYSICS – 7408/3BE – JUNE 2021 5 answer should be quoted to 3 sf. An answer to 1 sf will not normally be acceptable, unless the answer is an integer eg a number of objects. In non-practical sections, the need for a consideration will be indicated in the question by the use of ‘Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures’. 3.9 Unit penalties An A-level paper may contain up to 2 marks (1 mark for AS) that are contingent on the candidate quoting the correct unit for the answer to a calculation. The need for a unit to be quoted will be indicated in the question by the use of ‘State an appropriate SI unit for your answer’. Unit answers will be expected to appear in the most commonly agreed form for the calculation concerned; strings of fundamental (base) units would not. For example, 1 tesla and 1 Wb m–2 would both be acceptable units for magnetic flux density but 1 kg m2 s–2 A–1 would not. 3.10 Level of response marking instructions Level of response mark schemes are broken down into three 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. Determining 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. With practice and familiarity you will find that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip through the lower levels of the mark scheme. When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer and not look to pick holes in 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 and then use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within the level. i.e. if the response is predominantly level 2 with a small amount of level 3 material it would be placed in level 2. The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help you to determine the appropriate level. 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. An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks. [Show More]

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