Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the

relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments

made at the standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which

was used by them in this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme

covers the students’ responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in

the same correct way. As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of

students’ tests. Alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and

legislated for. If, after the standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which

have not been raised they are required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.

It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed

and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future

mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding

principles of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a

particular examination paper.

Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk