How strictly do examiners mark against the markscheme?

[johanna0616]

I've always wondered this especially for ESS & Bio. If we have the same meaning but maybe not exactly the same wording, do we get the answer correct or are they really picky on those? Or a right idea that doesn't appear on the markscheme?

My ESS teacher said its up to their discretion, but my biology teachers mark sooo tightly.

[Ibomorelikeibno]

they say on the markscheme: and any other reasonable answers

[alefal]

For most of the questions in ESS, the mark scheme either says "and any other reasonable answers," as Ibomorelikeibno pointed out, or OWTTE, meaning "or words to that effect." That means that they will have to accept a correct answer which is not necessarily written in the mark scheme.

[Claudiosee]

Generally, alternate forms of the answer are accepted by examiners (at least to some extent). But the problem is that often candidates try to communicate something with an answer, without making it crystal clear and only hinting at what they are trying to communicate. Only in few cases will this award them full marks.

Additionally, in several questions, there are certain terms which are required for at least parts of the total mark. These terms are underlined in the mark scheme and may not be descriptively replaced. Additionally it would be wise to "make the examiner your friend" and to at least appear as if one is at least somewhat knowledgeable about the topic (I am not referring that any of you not being knowledgeable, just explaining some extremes) and using appropriate terminology such as "positive correlation", or "Maintaining" instead of "go up", or "up keeping". Furthermore, aside from "pleasing" the examiner, for ensuring maximum marks, proper terminology is vital, especially in certain sections.

For example: the Structured response section B of Paper 2 in Biology usually requires appropriate terminology. Additionally to those requirements, the additional points for Quality of the answer (2 marks per completed question) will most likely not be awarded for candidates making responses such as:

"The kidney is an organ that takes out things that should not be in the blood. At the start it takes a lot out, but reabsorbs sugar, salt (etc.) later."

but much rather to the candidate that writes:

"The Kidney's role in the body's transport system is to filter urea (produced by the liver) out of the blood, while also being in charge of executing commands of the hypothalamus for controlling Osmoregulation. This process starts in the Glomerulus, where by ultra-filtration, due to high pressures, most solutes (and some water) of the blood are removed, by entering into the Bowman's capsule. Some of these solutes such as Glucose, Proteins, Salt and some Water are reabsorbed depending on the condition of the person. E.g. If the person were to be diabetic, the Glucose would not be fully reabsorbed The Amount of water reabsorbed in the kidney is also ...."

The acquisition of the Quality marks is however not only dependent on the terminology and specificity, but also the structure of the answer.

Nevertheless, as stated above, the examiners are generally encouraged to mark positively due to the large variations of language and background of the students. If this "encouragement" is actually acknowledged is, however, not guaranteed and completely up to the examiner.

Best Regards.