February 9 2010

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Maths › Higher › Marking Guidelines

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.

General Marking Principles

Marks awarded are classified under the following three headings:

  • Interpretation/communication (ic)
  • Processing data (pd) - includes algebraic as well as arithmetic processes
  • Selecting a strategy (ss)

These principles describe the approach to be taken when marking Higher Mathematics papers. For more detailed guidance please refer to the notes which are included with the Marking Instructions.

  1. Marks must be assigned in accordance with the marking instructions. The main principle in marking scripts is to give credit for the skills demonstrated and the criteria met.

  2. The answer to one part of a question, even if incorrect, must be accepted as a basis for subsequent dependent parts of the question. Full marks in the dependent part(s) is possible provided the question is not simplified.

  3. The following should not be penalised: working subsequent to a correct answer, omission or misuse of units (unless marks have been specifically allocated for the purpose in the marking scheme), bad form, legitimate variation in numerical values.

  4. No piece of work should be scored through, even where a fundamental misunderstanding is apparent early in the answer. Reference should always be made to the marking scheme. Answers which are wildly 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).

  5. Full credit should only be given where the solution contains appropriate working. Where the correct answer may be obtained by inspection or mentally, credit may be given, but reference to this will be made in the marking scheme.

  6. Sometimes the method to be used in a particular question is explicitly stated; no credit will be given when a candidate obtains the correct answer by an alternative method.

  7. Where the method to be used in a particular question is not explicitly stated, full credit must be given for unanticipated/longer methods which produce the correct answer.

  8. Transcription errors: In general, as a consequence of a transcription error, candidates lose the opportunity to gain either the first ic mark or the first pd mark.

  9. Casual errors: In general, as a consequence of a casual error, candidates lose the opportunity to gain the appropriate ic or pd mark.

Practical Details

The marking scheme should be regarded as a working document and has been developed and expanded on the basis of candidates’ responses to a particular paper. While the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details can change depending on the content of a particular examination paper in a given year.

  1. Each mark awarded in a question is referenced to one criterion in the marking scheme by means of a bullet point.

  2. Each error should be underlined in red at the point in the working where it first occurs.

  3. Correct working should be ticked. Where working subsequent to an error is followed through, if otherwise correct and can be awarded marks, it should be marked with a crossed tick, tickx.

  4. Attention should be drawn to work which is not quite correct, but which is not being penalised, (eg bad form) by underlining it with a wavy or dotted line.

  5. Working which is mathematically correct but inadequate to score marks or is irrelevant to the question should be marked with a double crossed tick, tx2. When such working is subsequent to a previous error, some markers use both symbols combined, tx3. To see a list of all the standard signs and abbreviations click here.

  6. Benefit Of Doubt (BOD) is used where the marker has to decide between two consecutive marks, and awards the higher.

Please note: comments should not be written on candidate scriptbooks.