,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding
body. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational,
occupational and specific programmes for employers. For further information
visit our qualifications websites at www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page
at www.edexcel.com/contactus.
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help
everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of
learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been
involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in
100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to
high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find out
more about how we can help you and your students at: www.pearson.com/uk
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners
must mark the first candidate in exactly the same way as they
mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be
rewarded for what they have shown they can do rather than
penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not
according to their perception of where the grade boundaries may
lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme
should be used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded.
Examiners should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the
answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should also be
prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is not
worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide
the principles by which marks will be awarded and
exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the
mark scheme to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be
consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has
replaced it with an alternative response.
, Mark schemes have been developed so that the rubrics of each mark scheme reflects
the characteristics of the skills within the AO being targeted and the requirements of
the command word. So for example the command word ‘Explain’ requires an
identification of a point and then reasoning/justification of the point.
Explain questions can be asked across all AOs. The distinction comes whether the
identification is via a judgment made to reach a conclusion, or, making a point through
application of knowledge to reason/justify the point made through application of
understanding. It is the combination and linkage of the marking points that is needed
to gain full marks.
When marking questions with a ‘describe’ or ‘explain’ command word, the detailed
marking guidance below should be consulted to ensure consistency of marking.
Assessment Command Word
Objective
Strand Element Describe Explain
AO1 An answer that combines the An explanation that links
marking points to provide a identification of a point with
logical description reasoning/justification(s) as
required
AO2 An answer that combines the An explanation that links
marking points to provide a identification of a point (by
logical description, showing applying knowledge) with
application of knowledge and reasoning/justification
understanding (application of understanding)
AO3 1a and An answer that combines
1b points of
interpretation/evaluation to
provide a logical description
AO3 2a and An explanation that combines
2b identification via a judgment
to reach a conclusion via
justification/reasoning
AO3 3a An answer that combines the
marking points to provide a
logical description of the
plan/method/experiment
AO3 3b An explanation that combines
identifying an improvement of
the experimental procedure
with a linked
justification/reasoning
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller premiumpapers. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $6.52. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.