CCEA Government and Politics Assessment Unit AS 1 assessing The Government and Politics of Northern Ireland; MARK SCHEME

CCEA Government and Politics Assessment Unit AS 1 assessing The Government and Politics of Northern Ireland In deciding which level of response to award, examiners should look for the ‘best fit’ bearing in mind that weakness in one area may be compensated for by strength in another. In deciding which mark within a particular level to award to any response, examiners are expected to use their professional judgement. The following guidance is provided to assist examiners. • Threshold performance: Response which just merits inclusion in the level and should be awarded a mark at or near the bottom of the range. • Intermediate performance: Response which clearly merits inclusion in the level and should be awarded a mark at or near the middle of the range. • High performance: Response which fully satisfies the level description and should be awarded a mark at or near the top of the range. Quality of written communication Quality of written communication is taken into account in assessing candidates’ responses to all tasks and questions that require them to respond in extended written form. These tasks and questions are marked on the basis of levels of response. The description for each level of response includes reference to the quality of written communication. For conciseness, quality of written communication is distinguished within levels of response as follows: Level 1: Quality of written communication is inadequate. Level 2: Quality of written communication is limited. Level 3: Quality of written communication is satisfactory. Level 4: Quality of written communication is good. Level 5: Quality of written communication is of a high standard. In interpreting these level descriptions, examiners should refer to the more detailed guidance provided below: Level 1 (Inadequate): The candidate makes only a very limited selection and use of an appropriate form and style of writing. The organisation of material may lack any clarity and coherence. There is very little use of specialist vocabulary. Presentation, spelling, punctuation and grammar may be such that intended meaning is consistently unclear. Level 2 (Limited): The candidate makes only a limited selection and use of an appropriate form and style of writing. The organisation of material may lack clarity and coherence. There is little use of specialist vocabulary. Presentation, spelling, punctuation and grammar may be such that intended meaning is not clear in places. Level 3 (Satisfactory): The candidate makes a reasonable selection and use of an appropriate form and style of writing. Relevant material is organised with some clarity and coherence. There is some use of appropriate specialist vocabulary. Presentation, spelling, punctuation and grammar are sufficiently competent to make meaning clear. Level 4 (Good): The candidate makes a good selection and use of an appropriate form and style of writing. Relevant material is organised with a good standard of clarity and coherence. There is good use of appropriate specialist vocabulary. Presentation, spelling, punctuation and grammar are of a sufficiently good standard to make meaning clear. Level 5 (High Standard): The candidate successfully selects and uses the most appropriate form and style of writing. Relevant material is organised with a high degree of clarity and coherence. There is widespread and accurate use of appropriate specialist vocabulary. Presentation, spelling, punctuation and grammar are of a sufficiently high standard to make meaning