Edexcel as level politics paper 2 mark scheme june 2023

Mark Scheme (Results) Summer 2023 Pearson Edexcel GCE In Politics Advanced Subsidiary Paper 2: UK Government (8PL0/02) Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational, occupational and specific programmes for employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites at or . Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page at Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at: Summer 2023 Question Paper P70934A Publications Code 8PL0_02_2023_MS All the material in this publication is copyright © Pearson Education Ltd 2023 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. Marking guidance for levels-based mark schemes How to award marks The indicative content provides examples of how students will meet each skill assessed in the question. The levels descriptors and indicative content reflect the relative weighting of each skill within each mark band. Confirmation of the marks assigned to Assessment Objectives is provided at the top of each mark scheme. This has been provided to further reflect the balance between the assessment objectives as described in the relevant level descriptors. Capping statements Where applicable and to ensure that candidates are awarded marks for fully meeting the requirements of the question, additional capping statements have been indicated in the mark schemes. Such statements indicate where and how candidates will be limited in their achievement if they fail to fully address the requirements of the question. For instance, where questions require candidates to refer to 'thinkers' or 'engaging with sources'. Finding the right level The first stage is to decide which level the answer should be placed in. To do this, use a ‘best-fit’ approach, deciding which level most closely describes the quality of the answer. Answers can display characteristics from more than one level, and where this happens markers must use the guidance below and their professional judgement to decide which level is most appropriate. Placing a mark within a level After a level has been decided on, the next stage is to decide on the mark within the level. The instructions below tell you how to reward responses within a level. However, where a level has specific guidance about how to place an answer within a level, always follow that guidance. Statements relating to the treatment of students who do not fully meet the requirements of the question are also shown in the indicative content section of each levels based mark scheme. These statements should be considered alongside the levels descriptors. 3 Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Politics – Sample Assessment Materials – Issue 2 August 2022 © Pearson Education Limited 2022 Markers should be prepared to use the full range of marks available in a level and not restrict marks to the middle. Markers should start at the middle of the level (or the upper-middle mark if there is an even number of marks) and then move the mark up or down to find the best mark. To do this, they should take into account how far the answer meets the requirements of the level: ● if it meets the requirements fully, markers should be prepared to award full marks within the level. The top mark in the level is used for answers that are as good as can realistically be expected within that level ● if it only barely meets the requirements of the level, markers should consider awarding marks at the bottom of the level. The bottom mark in the level is used for answers that are the weakest that can be expected within that level ● the middle marks of the level are used for answers that have a reasonable match to the descriptor. This might represent a balance between some characteristics of the level that are fully met and others that are only barely met. When a candidate has produced an answer that displays characteristics from more than one level, examiners must use their professional judgement to decide what level should be awarded. 8PL02: AS paper 2 UK Government mark scheme Section A Guidelines for marking Questions 1a and 1b Marks are awarded for AO1 only. Marks are awarded for showing depth of knowledge and understanding. Level Mark Descriptor 0 No rewardable material. Level 1 1–3 • Demonstrates limited knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues. • Makes superficial links of knowledge and understanding to a particular context. • Uses a narrow range of knowledge and understanding to support arguments/ideas. Level 2 4–7 • Demonstrates some accurate knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues. • Makes some effective links of knowledge and understanding to a particular context. • Uses a broad range of knowledge and understanding to support arguments/ideas. Level 3 8–10 • Demonstrates accurate knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues. • Makes fully-effective links of knowledge and understanding to a particular context. • Uses a comprehensive range of knowledge and understanding to support arguments/ideas. Question number Indicative content 1(a) Describe the role of backbench MPs AO1 (10 marks) Candidates may refer to: • Represent their constituents, including helping to address their grievances. • Question ministers, including the Prime Minister. • Vote on legislation. • Take part in committees, e.g., public bill committees and select committees. • Take part in debates. Accept any other valid responses. Question number Indicative content 1(b) Describe the composition of the executive AO1 (10 marks) Candidates may refer to: • The executive includes the Prime Minister, who is the head of the UK government. • It includes the cabinet, who work closely with the Prime Minister and take overall responsibility for the strategic direction of the government. • It includes junior ministers who mostly work within government departments, usually responsible for aspects of the Department’s role. • It includes government departments themselves, run by senior civil servants, who work for ministers, helping them to implement government policies. • It includes the Cabinet Secretary, the Cabinet Office, the Policy Unit and special advisors. Accept any other valid responses.