Mark Scheme (Results)
November
Pearson Edexcel GCE Further Mathematics
Advanced Level in Futher Mathematics
Paper 9FM0/3A
,General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must
mark the first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the
last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be
rewarded for what they have shown they can do rather than
penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not
according to their perception of where the grade boundaries may
lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme
should be used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded.
Examiners should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the
answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should also be
prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is not
worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the
principles by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may
be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark
scheme to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be
consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has
replaced it with an alternative response.
, General Instructions for Marking
1. The total number of marks for the paper is 75.
2. The Edexcel Mathematics mark schemes use the following types of
marks:
• M marks: method marks are awarded for ‘knowing a method and
attempting to apply it’, unless otherwise indicated.
• A marks: Accuracy marks can only be awarded if the relevant method
(M) marks have been earned.
• B marks are unconditional accuracy marks (independent of M marks)
• Marks should not be subdivided.
3. Abbreviations
These are some of the traditional marking abbreviations that will appear in
the mark schemes.
• bod – benefit of doubt
• ft – follow through
• the symbol will be used for correct ft
• cao – correct answer only
• cso - correct solution only. There must be no errors in this part of the
question to obtain this mark
• isw – ignore subsequent working
• awrt – answers which round to
• SC: special case
• oe – or equivalent (and appropriate)
• dep – dependent
• indep – independent
• dp decimal places
• sf significant figures
• The answer is printed on the paper
• The second mark is dependent on gaining the first mark
4. All A marks are ‘correct answer only’ (cao.), unless shown, for example,
as A1 ft to indicate that previous wrong working is to be followed
through. After a misread however, the subsequent A marks affected are
treated as A ft, but manifestly absurd answers should never be awarded
A marks.
November
Pearson Edexcel GCE Further Mathematics
Advanced Level in Futher Mathematics
Paper 9FM0/3A
,General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must
mark the first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the
last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be
rewarded for what they have shown they can do rather than
penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not
according to their perception of where the grade boundaries may
lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme
should be used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded.
Examiners should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the
answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should also be
prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is not
worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the
principles by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may
be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark
scheme to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be
consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has
replaced it with an alternative response.
, General Instructions for Marking
1. The total number of marks for the paper is 75.
2. The Edexcel Mathematics mark schemes use the following types of
marks:
• M marks: method marks are awarded for ‘knowing a method and
attempting to apply it’, unless otherwise indicated.
• A marks: Accuracy marks can only be awarded if the relevant method
(M) marks have been earned.
• B marks are unconditional accuracy marks (independent of M marks)
• Marks should not be subdivided.
3. Abbreviations
These are some of the traditional marking abbreviations that will appear in
the mark schemes.
• bod – benefit of doubt
• ft – follow through
• the symbol will be used for correct ft
• cao – correct answer only
• cso - correct solution only. There must be no errors in this part of the
question to obtain this mark
• isw – ignore subsequent working
• awrt – answers which round to
• SC: special case
• oe – or equivalent (and appropriate)
• dep – dependent
• indep – independent
• dp decimal places
• sf significant figures
• The answer is printed on the paper
• The second mark is dependent on gaining the first mark
4. All A marks are ‘correct answer only’ (cao.), unless shown, for example,
as A1 ft to indicate that previous wrong working is to be followed
through. After a misread however, the subsequent A marks affected are
treated as A ft, but manifestly absurd answers should never be awarded
A marks.
