MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE
2023
AQA
GCSE
BIOLOGY
8461/1H
Paper 1 Higher Tier
Mark scheme
June 2023
2
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – 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 – 8461/1H – 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, nail* 2
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
2023
AQA
GCSE
BIOLOGY
8461/1H
Paper 1 Higher Tier
Mark scheme
June 2023
2
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – 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 – 8461/1H – 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, nail* 2
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
