August 1 2010
Marking Guidelines
In Higher Maths the external assessment instrument consists of an examination made up of two papers, one of which will not allow the use of a calculator.
Markers assess the candidate's ability to retain and integrate mathematical knowledge across the component Units of the Course.
Below are the Marking Principles for Higher Mathematics.
Higher Mathematics : General Marking Instructions
General Comments
These marking instructions are for use with the 2009 Higher Mathematics Examination.
For each question the marking instructions are split into two sections, namely the Generic Marking Instructions and the Specific Marking Instructions. The Generic Marking Instructions indicate what evidence must be seen for each mark to be awarded. The Specific Marking Instructions cover the most common methods you are likely to see throughout your marking.
Below these two sections there may be comments, less common methods and common errors.
In general you should use the Specific Marking Instructions together with the comments, less common methods and common errors; only use the Generic Marking Instructions where the candidate has used a method not otherwise covered.
All markers should apply the following general marking principles throughout their marking:
1. Marks must be assigned in accordance with these marking instructions. In principle, marks are awarded for what is correct, rather than marks deducted for what is wrong.
2. Award one mark for each ‘bullet’ point. Each error should be underlined in RED at the point in the working where it first occurs, and not at any subsequent stage of the working.
3. The working subsequent to an error must be followed through by the marker with possible full marks for the subsequent working, provided that the difficulty involved is approximately similar.
Where, subsequent to an error, the working is eased, a deduction(s) of mark(s) should be made.
This may happen where a question is divided into parts. In fact, failure to even answer an earlier section does not preclude a candidate from assuming the result of that section and obtaining full marks for a later section.
4. Tick
Cross
Cross-Tick
Double Cross-Tick
Correct working should be ticked. This is essential for later stages of the SQA procedures. Where an error occurs, this should be underlined and marked with a cross at the end of the line.
Where working subsequent to an error(s) is correct and scores marks, it should be marked with a crossed tick.
In appropriate cases attention may be directed to work which is not quite correct (e.g. bad form) but which has not been penalised, by underlining with a dotted (or wavy) line.
Work which is correct but inadequate to score any marks should be corrected with a double cross tick.
5. The total mark for each section of a question should be entered in red in the outer right hand margin, opposite the end of the working concerned.
• Only the mark should be written, not a fraction of the possible marks.
• These marks should correspond to those on the question paper and these instructions.
6. Where a candidate has scored zero marks for any question attempted, “0” should be shown against the answer.
7. As indicated on the front of the question paper, full credit should only be given where the solution contains appropriate working. Throughout this paper, unless specifically mentioned in the marking scheme, a correct answer with no working receives no credit.
8. There is no such thing as a transcription error, a trivial error, a casual error or an insignificant error – each one is simply an error. In general, as a consequence of one of these errors, candidates lose the opportunity of gaining the appropriate ic or pd mark.
9. Normally, do not penalise:
• working subsequent to a correct answer
• omission of units
• legitimate variations in numerical answers
• bad form
• correct working in the “wrong” part of a question
unless specifically mentioned in the marking scheme.
10. No piece of work should be ignored without careful checking - even where a fundamental misunderstanding is apparent early in the answer. Reference should always be made to the marking scheme. Answers which are widely off-beam are unlikely to include anything of relevance but in the vast majority of cases candidates still have the opportunity of gaining the odd mark or two provided it satisfies the criteria for the mark(s).
11. If in doubt between two marks, give an intermediate mark, but without fractions. When in doubt between consecutive numbers, give the higher mark.
12. In cases of difficulty covered neither in detail nor in principle in the Instructions, attention may be directed to the assessment of particular answers by making a referral to the P.A. Please see the general instructions for P.A. referrals.
13. No marks should be deducted at this stage for careless or badly arranged work.
14. It is of great importance that the utmost care should be exercised in adding up the marks. Using the Electronic Marks Capture (EMC) screen to tally marks for you is NOT recommended. A manual check of the total, using the grid issued with this marking scheme, can be confirmed by the EMC system.
15. Provided that it has not been replaced by another attempt at a solution, working that has been crossed out by the candidate should be marked in the normal way. If you feel that a candidate has been disadvantaged by this action, make a P.A. Referral.
16. Do not write any comments, words or acronyms on the scripts.
A revised summary of acceptable notation is given on page 4.
17. Summary
Throughout the examination procedures many scripts are remarked. It is essential that markers follow common procedures:
1 Tick correct working.
2 Put a mark in the outer right-hand margin to match the marks allocations on the question paper.
3 Do not write marks as fractions.
4 Put each mark at the end of the candidate’s response to the question.
5 Follow through errors to see if candidates can score marks subsequent to the error.
6 Do not write any comments on the scripts.
18. If a candidate presents more than one complete solution to a question and it is not clear which is intended as their final attempt, then each one should be marked and the lowest mark awarded.
To see the full marking instructions including a list of all the standard signs and abbreviations click here
