Rubric Error Responses – Optional Questions
Where candidates have a choice of question across a whole paper or a whole section and have provided more answers than required, then all responses
are marked and the highest mark allowable within the rubric is given. Enter a mark for each question answered into RM assessor, which will select the
highest mark from those awarded. (The underlying assumption is that the candidate has penalised themselves by attempting more questions than
necessary in the time allowed.)
Multiple Choice Question Responses
When a multiple choice question has only a single, correct response and a candidate provides two responses (even if one of these responses is correct),
then no mark should be awarded (as it is not possible to determine which was the first response selected by the candidate).
When a question requires candidates to select more than one option/multiple options, then local marking arrangements need to ensure consistency of
approach.
Contradictory Responses
When a candidate provides contradictory responses, then no mark should be awarded, even if one of the answers is correct.
Short Answer Questions (requiring only a list by way of a response, usually worth only one mark per response)
Where candidates are required to provide a set number of short answer responses then only the set number of responses should be marked. The
response space should be marked from left to right on each line and then line by line until the required number of responses have been considered. The
remaining responses should not then be marked. Examiners will have to apply judgement as to whether a ‘second response’ on a line is a development
of the ‘first response’, rather than a separate, discrete response. (The underlying assumption is that the candidate is attempting to hedge their bets
and therefore getting undue benefit rather than engaging with the question and giving the most relevant/correct responses.)
Short Answer Questions (requiring a more developed response, worth two or more marks)
If the candidates are required to provide a description of, say, three items or factors and four items or factors are provided, then mark on a similar basis
– that is downwards (as it is unlikely in this situation that a candidate will provide more than one response in each section of the response space.)
Longer Answer Questions (requiring a developed response)
Where candidates have provided two (or more) responses to a medium or high tariff question which only required a single (developed) response and
not crossed out the first response, then only the first response should be marked. Examiners will need to apply professional judgement as to whether
the second (or a subsequent) response is a ‘new start’ or simply a poorly expressed continuation of the first response.
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, H557/03 Mark Scheme June 2024
6. Always check the pages (and additional objects if present) at the end of the response in case any answers have been continued there. If the candidate
has continued an answer there, then add a tick to confirm that the work has been seen.
7. Award No Response (NR) if:
• there is nothing written in the answer space
Award Zero ‘0’ if:
• anything is written in the answer space and is not worthy of credit (this includes text and symbols).
Team Leaders must confirm the correct use of the NR button with their markers before live marking commences and should check this when
reviewing scripts.
8. The RM Assessor comments box is used by your team leader to explain the marking of the practice responses. Please refer to these comments when
checking your practice responses. Do not use the comments box for any other reason.
If you have any questions or comments for your team leader, use the phone, the RM Assessor messaging system, or e-mail.
9. Assistant Examiners will send a brief report on the performance of candidates to their Team Leader (Supervisor) via email by the end of the marking
period. The report should contain notes on particular strengths displayed as well as common errors or weaknesses. Constructive criticism of the
question paper/mark scheme is also appreciated.
10. For answers marked by levels of response:
Read through the whole answer from start to finish, concentrating on features that make it a stronger or weaker answer using the indicative scientific
content as guidance. The indicative scientific content indicates the expected parameters for candidates’ answers, but be prepared to recognise and
credit unexpected approaches where they show relevance.
Using a ‘best-fit’ approach based on the science content of the answer, first decide which set of level descriptors, Level 1 (L1), Level 2 (L2) or Level 3
(L3), best describes the overall quality of the answer using the guidelines described in the level descriptors in the mark scheme.
Once the level is located, award the higher or lower mark.
The higher mark should be awarded where the level descriptor has been evidenced and all aspects of the communication statement (in italics)
have been met.
The lower mark should be awarded where the level descriptor has been evidenced but aspects of the communication statement (in italics) are
missing.
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