ADVANCED SUBSIDIARY (AS)
General Certificate of Education
2019
Government and Politics
Assessment Unit AS 1
assessing
The Government and Politics of Northern Ireland
[SGP11]
FRIDAY 17 MAY, AFTERNOON
MARK
SCHEME
11925.01 F
, General Marking Instructions
Introduction
The main purpose of the mark scheme is to ensure that examinations are marked accurately,
consistently and fairly. The mark scheme provides examiners with an indication of the nature and range
of candidates’ responses likely to be worthy of credit. It also sets out the criteria which they should apply
in allocating marks to candidates’ responses.
Assessment objectives
Below are the assessment objectives for GCE Government and Politics.
Candidates should be able to:
AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts,
theories and debates.
AO2 Analyse and evaluate political information, arguments and theories; identify parallels,
connections, similarities and differences between the political systems studied.
AO3 Construct and communicate coherent arguments making use of a range of appropriate political
vocabulary.
Quality of candidates’ responses
In marking the examination papers, examiners should be looking for a quality of response reflecting the
level of maturity which may reasonably be expected of a 17 or 18-year-old which is the age at which the
majority of candidates sit their GCE examinations.
Flexibility in marking
Mark schemes are not intended to be totally prescriptive. No mark scheme can cover all the responses
which candidates may produce. In the event of unanticipated answers, examiners are expected to use
their professional judgement to assess the validity of answers. If an answer is particularly problematic,
then examiners should seek the guidance of the Supervising Examiner.
Positive marking
Examiners are encouraged to be positive in their marking, giving appropriate credit for what candidates
know, understand and can do rather than penalising candidates for errors or omissions. Examiners
should make use of the whole of the available mark range for any particular question and be prepared to
award full marks for a response which is as good as might reasonably be expected of a 17 or 18-year-
old GCE candidate.
Awarding zero marks
Marks should only be awarded for valid responses and no marks should be awarded for an answer
which is completely incorrect or inappropriate.
Types of mark schemes
Mark schemes for tasks or questions which require candidates to respond in extended written form are
marked on the basis of levels of response which take account of the quality of written communication.
Other questions which require only short answers are marked on a point for point basis with marks
awarded for each valid piece of information provided.
11925.01 F 2
General Certificate of Education
2019
Government and Politics
Assessment Unit AS 1
assessing
The Government and Politics of Northern Ireland
[SGP11]
FRIDAY 17 MAY, AFTERNOON
MARK
SCHEME
11925.01 F
, General Marking Instructions
Introduction
The main purpose of the mark scheme is to ensure that examinations are marked accurately,
consistently and fairly. The mark scheme provides examiners with an indication of the nature and range
of candidates’ responses likely to be worthy of credit. It also sets out the criteria which they should apply
in allocating marks to candidates’ responses.
Assessment objectives
Below are the assessment objectives for GCE Government and Politics.
Candidates should be able to:
AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts,
theories and debates.
AO2 Analyse and evaluate political information, arguments and theories; identify parallels,
connections, similarities and differences between the political systems studied.
AO3 Construct and communicate coherent arguments making use of a range of appropriate political
vocabulary.
Quality of candidates’ responses
In marking the examination papers, examiners should be looking for a quality of response reflecting the
level of maturity which may reasonably be expected of a 17 or 18-year-old which is the age at which the
majority of candidates sit their GCE examinations.
Flexibility in marking
Mark schemes are not intended to be totally prescriptive. No mark scheme can cover all the responses
which candidates may produce. In the event of unanticipated answers, examiners are expected to use
their professional judgement to assess the validity of answers. If an answer is particularly problematic,
then examiners should seek the guidance of the Supervising Examiner.
Positive marking
Examiners are encouraged to be positive in their marking, giving appropriate credit for what candidates
know, understand and can do rather than penalising candidates for errors or omissions. Examiners
should make use of the whole of the available mark range for any particular question and be prepared to
award full marks for a response which is as good as might reasonably be expected of a 17 or 18-year-
old GCE candidate.
Awarding zero marks
Marks should only be awarded for valid responses and no marks should be awarded for an answer
which is completely incorrect or inappropriate.
Types of mark schemes
Mark schemes for tasks or questions which require candidates to respond in extended written form are
marked on the basis of levels of response which take account of the quality of written communication.
Other questions which require only short answers are marked on a point for point basis with marks
awarded for each valid piece of information provided.
11925.01 F 2
