bn
AQA
GCSE
BIOLOGY
8461/1F
Paper 1 Foundation Tier
Mark scheme
June 2023
Version: 1.0 Final
*236G 4611F/MS*
1
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1F – 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 BIOLOGY – 8461/1F – JUNE
2023
Information to Examiners
1. General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
the marks available for each part of the question
the total marks available for the question
the typical answer or answers which are expected
extra information to help the examiner make their judgement
the Assessment Objectives and specification content that each question is intended to
cover.
The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the
mark scheme and should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where
consequential marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on
the diagram or at a different place on the script.
In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details
which confuse the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that
marking is straightforward and consistent (for example, a scientifically correct answer
that could not reasonably be expected from a student’s knowledge of the specification).
2. Emboldening and underlining
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’
is used, with the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is
a potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the
mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or.
Alternative words in the mark scheme are shown by a solidus eg allow smooth / free
movement.
2.4 Any wording that is underlined is essential for the marking point to be awarded.
3
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1F – JUNE
2023
3. Marking points
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which
students have provided extra responses. The general principle to be followed in
such a situation is that ‘right + wrong = wrong’.
Each error / contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of errors /
contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no
marks can be awarded.
However, responses considered to be neutral (indicated as * in example 1) are not
penalised.
Example 1: What is the pH of an acidic solution?
[1 mark]
Student Response Marks
awarded
1 green, 5 0
2 red*, 5 1
3 red*, 8 0
Example 2: Name two magnetic materials.
[2 marks]
Student Response Marks awarded
1 iron, steel, tin 1
2 cobalt, nickel, 2
nail*
3.2 Use of symbols / formulae
If a student writes a chemical symbol / formula instead of a required chemical name,
or uses symbols to denote quantities in a physics equation, full credit can be given if
the symbol / formula is correct and if, in the context of the question, such action is
appropriate.
3.3 Marking procedure for calculations
Marks should be awarded for each stage of the calculation completed correctly, as
students are instructed to show their working. At any point in a calculation students
may omit steps from their working. If a subsequent step is given correctly, the relevant
marks may be awarded.
Full marks are not awarded for a correct final answer from incorrect working.
3.4 Interpretation of ‘it’
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers
to the correct subject.
4
AQA
GCSE
BIOLOGY
8461/1F
Paper 1 Foundation Tier
Mark scheme
June 2023
Version: 1.0 Final
*236G 4611F/MS*
1
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1F – 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 BIOLOGY – 8461/1F – JUNE
2023
Information to Examiners
1. General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
the marks available for each part of the question
the total marks available for the question
the typical answer or answers which are expected
extra information to help the examiner make their judgement
the Assessment Objectives and specification content that each question is intended to
cover.
The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the
mark scheme and should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where
consequential marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on
the diagram or at a different place on the script.
In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details
which confuse the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that
marking is straightforward and consistent (for example, a scientifically correct answer
that could not reasonably be expected from a student’s knowledge of the specification).
2. Emboldening and underlining
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’
is used, with the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is
a potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the
mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or.
Alternative words in the mark scheme are shown by a solidus eg allow smooth / free
movement.
2.4 Any wording that is underlined is essential for the marking point to be awarded.
3
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1F – JUNE
2023
3. Marking points
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which
students have provided extra responses. The general principle to be followed in
such a situation is that ‘right + wrong = wrong’.
Each error / contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of errors /
contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no
marks can be awarded.
However, responses considered to be neutral (indicated as * in example 1) are not
penalised.
Example 1: What is the pH of an acidic solution?
[1 mark]
Student Response Marks
awarded
1 green, 5 0
2 red*, 5 1
3 red*, 8 0
Example 2: Name two magnetic materials.
[2 marks]
Student Response Marks awarded
1 iron, steel, tin 1
2 cobalt, nickel, 2
nail*
3.2 Use of symbols / formulae
If a student writes a chemical symbol / formula instead of a required chemical name,
or uses symbols to denote quantities in a physics equation, full credit can be given if
the symbol / formula is correct and if, in the context of the question, such action is
appropriate.
3.3 Marking procedure for calculations
Marks should be awarded for each stage of the calculation completed correctly, as
students are instructed to show their working. At any point in a calculation students
may omit steps from their working. If a subsequent step is given correctly, the relevant
marks may be awarded.
Full marks are not awarded for a correct final answer from incorrect working.
3.4 Interpretation of ‘it’
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers
to the correct subject.
4
