Mark Scheme (Results)
Summer 2026
Pearson Edexcel GCSE in Russian
1RU0/ 4H
,GCSE Russian Higher tier
Paper 4 Mark scheme
General guidance on using levels-based mark schemes
Step 1 Decide on a band
• You should first ofallconsiderthe answerasa whole andthen decide which
descriptors most closely match the answer and place it in that band. The
descriptors for each band indicate the different features that will be seen in the
student’s answer for that band.
• When assigning a band you should look at the overall quality of the answer and
not focus disproportionately on 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 bands of the mark scheme you should use a ‘best
fit’ approach for defining the band and then use the variability of the response
to help decide the mark within the band, for example if the response is
predominantly band 5–8 with a small amount of band 9–12 material, it would be
placed in band 5–8 but be awarded a mark near the top of the band because of
the band 9–12 content.
Step 2 Decide on a mark
• Once you have decided on a band you will then need to decide on a mark within
the band.
• You will decide on the mark to award based on the quality of the answer; you will
award a mark towards the top or bottom of that band depending on how
students have evidenced each of the descriptor bullet points.
• You willmodifythemark based on how securely the trait descriptors are met at
that band.
• You will need to go back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to
clarify points and assure yourself that the band and the mark are appropriate.
, Assessment criteria for the Higher tier
Question 1 – Higher tier (20 marks)
For this question, students’ work is marked by Pearson using assessment
criteria given in two mark grids:
• communication and content
• linguistic knowledge and accuracy.
This question contains four bullet points that form part of the task. Failure to cover
all four bullet points will impact on the marks that can be awarded against the
requirements of the two mark grids for this question (see below). There is no
requirement for even coverage of the bullet points in any band. However, in order
to access marks in the top band, students must refer to all bullet points and meet
the other assessment criteria in the top band.
This question requires students to write in an informal style
(see Additional guidance).
The student is expected to produce 60-65 words for this task. The number of
words is approximate and students will not be penalised for writing more or fewer
words than recommended in the word count. All work produced by the student
must
be marked.
Question 1: communication and content mark grid – Higher tier
Mark Descriptor
0 No rewardable material
1–3 • Communicates brief information relevant to the task with
little development
• Limited adaptation of language to narrate, inform and interest;
straightforward personal opinions are given with limited justification
• Expresses straightforward thoughts and ideas; uses common,
familiar language with repetition
• Variable use of appropriate register and style
4–6 • Communicates information relevant to the task, with development of
the occasional key point and idea
• Some effective adaptation of language to narrate and inform;
attempts are made to interest and give convincing personal opinions
which are occasionally successful
• Expresses mainly straightforward thoughts and ideas with the
occasional individual thought/idea; some different examples of
common, familiar language
• Appropriate use of register and style is evident but with
inconsistencies
Summer 2026
Pearson Edexcel GCSE in Russian
1RU0/ 4H
,GCSE Russian Higher tier
Paper 4 Mark scheme
General guidance on using levels-based mark schemes
Step 1 Decide on a band
• You should first ofallconsiderthe answerasa whole andthen decide which
descriptors most closely match the answer and place it in that band. The
descriptors for each band indicate the different features that will be seen in the
student’s answer for that band.
• When assigning a band you should look at the overall quality of the answer and
not focus disproportionately on 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 bands of the mark scheme you should use a ‘best
fit’ approach for defining the band and then use the variability of the response
to help decide the mark within the band, for example if the response is
predominantly band 5–8 with a small amount of band 9–12 material, it would be
placed in band 5–8 but be awarded a mark near the top of the band because of
the band 9–12 content.
Step 2 Decide on a mark
• Once you have decided on a band you will then need to decide on a mark within
the band.
• You will decide on the mark to award based on the quality of the answer; you will
award a mark towards the top or bottom of that band depending on how
students have evidenced each of the descriptor bullet points.
• You willmodifythemark based on how securely the trait descriptors are met at
that band.
• You will need to go back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to
clarify points and assure yourself that the band and the mark are appropriate.
, Assessment criteria for the Higher tier
Question 1 – Higher tier (20 marks)
For this question, students’ work is marked by Pearson using assessment
criteria given in two mark grids:
• communication and content
• linguistic knowledge and accuracy.
This question contains four bullet points that form part of the task. Failure to cover
all four bullet points will impact on the marks that can be awarded against the
requirements of the two mark grids for this question (see below). There is no
requirement for even coverage of the bullet points in any band. However, in order
to access marks in the top band, students must refer to all bullet points and meet
the other assessment criteria in the top band.
This question requires students to write in an informal style
(see Additional guidance).
The student is expected to produce 60-65 words for this task. The number of
words is approximate and students will not be penalised for writing more or fewer
words than recommended in the word count. All work produced by the student
must
be marked.
Question 1: communication and content mark grid – Higher tier
Mark Descriptor
0 No rewardable material
1–3 • Communicates brief information relevant to the task with
little development
• Limited adaptation of language to narrate, inform and interest;
straightforward personal opinions are given with limited justification
• Expresses straightforward thoughts and ideas; uses common,
familiar language with repetition
• Variable use of appropriate register and style
4–6 • Communicates information relevant to the task, with development of
the occasional key point and idea
• Some effective adaptation of language to narrate and inform;
attempts are made to interest and give convincing personal opinions
which are occasionally successful
• Expresses mainly straightforward thoughts and ideas with the
occasional individual thought/idea; some different examples of
common, familiar language
• Appropriate use of register and style is evident but with
inconsistencies
