AS Level DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (PRODUCT DESIGN) 755W/1

AS Level DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (PRODUCT DESIGN) 755W/1 PAPER 1 Mark scheme Specimen Papers v1.0 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 Assessment Writer. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination paper. Further copies of this mark scheme are available from 2 Level of response marking instructions Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor. The descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level. There are marks in each 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. Step 1 Determine a level Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the answer. With practice and familiarity you will find that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip through the lower levels of the mark scheme. 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 3 with a small amount of level 4 material it would be placed in level 3 but be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the level 4 content. 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 help. There will 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. Qu Part Marking guidance Total marks AO Section A 1 Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) food wrap film 1 mark AO41B 2 5 marks AO41C 3 1 mark AO41C 4 4 5 – 6 Full and comprehensive analysis of a wide marks range of environmental issues associated with the use of polymers such as PVC. Responses should make reference to polymers other than PVC and evaluate both negative and positive impacts upon the environment 3 – 4 Some analysis of the different environmental marks issues associated with the use of polymers. May only evaluate negative impacts and will not reference other polymers. 1 – 2 Limited analysis and evaluation of how marks polymers have an impact upon the environment with a number of generalisations rather than specific references to either PVC or other polymers. 0 marks No response worthy of credit Indicative content: May include positive and negative environmental issues such as: Positive environmental issues • PVC is a thermoplastic and can be recycled at the end of its life, thus not using up a finite resource. • Thermoplastics have a long shelf life which means the product will not have to be re-manufactured frequently, preserving finite resources. • The use of thermoplastics may benefit manufacturers who need to meet eco legislation for manufacturing and/or companies using/selling the final product. Negative environmental issues • PVC comes from Crude oil which is a non-renewable resource, once it is gone it cannot be replaced. • Crude oil extraction can cause damage to sea beds and marine habitats. • Crude oil can be spilled which can kill marine life. • Crude oil spillage is a bio-hazard. • Crude oil production includes use of a flame stack on the oil rig, this may release harmful greenhouse gases. • If in landfill it will not degrade for 100+years causing an eyesore and/or harm to wildlife/plantlife • Accept any other valid response 6 marks AO32A: 3 marks AO32B: 3 marks AO3 5 1 mark for reference to physical properties 1 mark for reference to response to a specific external input or change in the environment such as temperature, light or pressure. Indicative content: A material that changes its physical properties in response to an input. 2 marks AO41A