, MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE
2020
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, MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE
2020
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.
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no
marks.
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