Mark Scheme (Result)
November 1
Pearson Edexcel GCE Further Mathematics
Advanced Level in Further Mathematics
Paper 9FM0/4A
,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 1
Pearson Edexcel GCE Further Mathematics
Advanced Level in Further Mathematics
Paper 9FM0/4A
,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.
