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AQA
GCSE
GEOGRAPHY
8035/1
Paper 1 Living With The Physical Environment
Mark scheme
June 2023
Version: 1.0 Final
1
,*236G035/1/MS*
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE GEOGRAPHY – 8035/1 – JUNE
2023
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’ scripts.
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.
2
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE GEOGRAPHY – 8035/1 – JUNE
2023
Point marked questions marking instructions
The mark scheme will state the correct answer or a range of possible answers, although
these may not be exhaustive. It may indicate how a second mark is awarded for a second
point or developed idea. It may give an indication of unacceptable answers. Each mark
should be shown by placing a tick where credit is given. The number of ticks must equal
the mark awarded. Do not use crosses to indicate answers that are incorrect.
Level of response marking instructions
Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a
descriptor. The descriptor is linked to the assessment objective(s) being addressed. The
descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer read through the answer and
annotate it (as instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then
apply the mark scheme. You should read the whole answer before awarding marks on
levels response questions.
Step 1 Determine a level
Descriptors for the level indicate the different qualities that might be seen in the student’s
answer for that level. When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the
answer and not look to pick holes in small and specific parts of the answer where the
student has not performed quite as well as the rest. If the answer covers different aspects
of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit approach for defining the
level and then use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within the level,
ie if the response is predominantly Level 2 with a small amount of Level 3 material it would
be placed in Level 2 but be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the Level 3
content. For instance, in a 9 mark question with three levels of response, an answer may
demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding (AO1 and AO2) but fail to respond to
command words such as assess or evaluate (AO3). The script could still access Level 2
marks. Note that the mark scheme is not progressive in the sense that students don’t have
to fulfil all the requirements of Level 1 in order to access Level 2.
Step 2 Determine a mark
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how
to allocate marks can help with this. The exemplar materials used during standardisation
will also help. There will generally be an answer in the standardising materials which will
correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This answer will have been awarded a
mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer with the example to
determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then use
this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark on the example.
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to
clarify points and assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not
intended to be exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to
cover all of the points mentioned in the indicative content to reach the highest level of the
mark scheme.
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.
3
AQA
GCSE
GEOGRAPHY
8035/1
Paper 1 Living With The Physical Environment
Mark scheme
June 2023
Version: 1.0 Final
1
,*236G035/1/MS*
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE GEOGRAPHY – 8035/1 – JUNE
2023
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’ scripts.
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.
2
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE GEOGRAPHY – 8035/1 – JUNE
2023
Point marked questions marking instructions
The mark scheme will state the correct answer or a range of possible answers, although
these may not be exhaustive. It may indicate how a second mark is awarded for a second
point or developed idea. It may give an indication of unacceptable answers. Each mark
should be shown by placing a tick where credit is given. The number of ticks must equal
the mark awarded. Do not use crosses to indicate answers that are incorrect.
Level of response marking instructions
Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a
descriptor. The descriptor is linked to the assessment objective(s) being addressed. The
descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer read through the answer and
annotate it (as instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then
apply the mark scheme. You should read the whole answer before awarding marks on
levels response questions.
Step 1 Determine a level
Descriptors for the level indicate the different qualities that might be seen in the student’s
answer for that level. When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the
answer and not look to pick holes in small and specific parts of the answer where the
student has not performed quite as well as the rest. If the answer covers different aspects
of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit approach for defining the
level and then use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within the level,
ie if the response is predominantly Level 2 with a small amount of Level 3 material it would
be placed in Level 2 but be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the Level 3
content. For instance, in a 9 mark question with three levels of response, an answer may
demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding (AO1 and AO2) but fail to respond to
command words such as assess or evaluate (AO3). The script could still access Level 2
marks. Note that the mark scheme is not progressive in the sense that students don’t have
to fulfil all the requirements of Level 1 in order to access Level 2.
Step 2 Determine a mark
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how
to allocate marks can help with this. The exemplar materials used during standardisation
will also help. There will generally be an answer in the standardising materials which will
correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This answer will have been awarded a
mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer with the example to
determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then use
this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark on the example.
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to
clarify points and assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not
intended to be exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to
cover all of the points mentioned in the indicative content to reach the highest level of the
mark scheme.
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.
3
