September 5 2010

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Biology › Higher › Marking Guidelines

Higher Marking

The Marking Principles below are General Principles that apply to all aspects of Higher Biology. For specific Marking Principles relating to Knowledge and Understanding (KU), Problem Solving (PS) and Practical Abilities (PA), follow the appropriate links in the index to the right.

The marking schemes are written to assist in determining the 'minimal acceptable answer' rather than listing every possible correct or incorrect answer. The following notes are offered to support Markers in making judgements on candidates' evidence, and apply to marking both end of Unit assessments and Course assessments.

General Priciples

1. There are no half marks. Where three answers are needed for two marks, normally one or two correct answers gain one mark.

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2. In the mark scheme, if a word is underlined then it is essential; if a word is (bracketed) then it is not essential.

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3. In the mark scheme, words separated by / are alternatives.

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4. If two answers are given which contradict one another the first answer should be taken. However, there are occasions where the second answer negates the first and no marks are given. There is no hard and fast rule here, and professional judgement must be applied. Good marking schemes should cover these eventualities.

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5. Where questions on data are in two parts, if the second part of the question is correct in relation to an incorrect answer given in the first part, then the mark can often be given. The general rule is that candidates should not be penalised repeatedly.

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6. If a numerical answer is required and units are not given in the stem of the question or in the answer space, candidates must supply units to gain the mark. If units are required on more than one occasion, candidates should not be penalised repeatedly.

7. Clear indication of understanding is what is required, so:

  1. if a description or explanation is asked for, a one word answer is not acceptable
  2. if the question asks for letters and the candidate gives words and they are correct, then give the mark. Illustration click here
  3. if the question asks for a word to be underlined and the candidate circles the word, then give the mark. Illustration click here
  4. if the result of a calculation is in the space provided and not entered into a table and is clearly the answer, then give the mark. Illustration click here
  5. chemical formulae are acceptable eg CO2, H2O
  6. contractions used in the Arrangements document eg DNA, ATP are acceptable
  7. words not required in the syllabus can still be given credit if used appropriately eg metaphase of meiosis
8. Marks are not lost for incorrect spelling subject to the following conditions:
  1. if the word can be easily confused with another biological term then do not give the mark eg ureter and urethra
  2. if the word is a mixture of other biological words then do not give the mark, eg mellum, melebrum, amniosynthesis. Illustration click here

9. Annotating scripts:

  • put a 0 in the box if no marks are awarded - a mark is required in each box
  • indicate on the script why marks were given for part of a question worth 3 or 2 marks. A tick2 or crossnear answers will do.  SQA markers are not permitted to write on the scripts and would only use these symbols.
10. Totalling scripts; errors in totalling can be more significant than errors in marking:
  • enter a correct and carefully checked total for each candidate
  • do not use running totals as these have repeatedly been shown to lead to more errors.