GCE A LEVEL MARKING SCHEME
SUMMER 2019
A LEVEL (NEW)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - UNIT 4
1160U40-1
© WJEC CBAC Ltd.
,INTRODUCTION
This marking scheme was used by WJEC for the 2019 examination. It was finalised after
detailed discussion at examiners' conferences by all the examiners involved in the
assessment. The conference was held shortly after the paper was taken so that reference
could be made to the full range of candidates' responses, with photocopied scripts forming
the basis of discussion. The aim of the conference was to ensure that the marking scheme
was interpreted and applied in the same way by all examiners.
It is hoped that this information will be of assistance to centres but it is recognised at the
same time that, without the benefit of participation in the examiners' conference, teachers
may have different views on certain matters of detail or interpretation.
WJEC regrets that it cannot enter into any discussion or correspondence about this marking
scheme.
© WJEC CBAC Ltd.
, GCE A LEVEL (NEW)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
SUMMER 2019 MARK SCHEME
UNIT 4: Government and politics of the USA
Marking guidance for examiners
Summary of assessment objectives for Unit 4
The questions in Section A assess both AO1 and AO2. The questions in Section B assess
both AO1 and AO3. The question in Section C assesses all three assessment objectives.
The assessment objectives focus on the ability to demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political concepts, theories and issues
(AO1); the a b i l i t y to interpret and apply political information to identify and explain
relevant similarities, d i f f e r e n c e s , and connections (AO2), and the ability to analyse and
evaluate the areas of government and politics studied to construct arguments, make
substantiated judgements a n d draw conclusions (AO3).
The structure of the mark scheme
The mark scheme for each question has two parts:
- Advice outlining indicative content which can be used to assess the quality of the
specific response. The content is not prescriptive and candidates are not expected to
mention all the material referred to. Examiners should seek to credit any further
admissible evidence offered by the candidates.
- An assessment grid advising bands and associated marks that should be allocated to
responses which demonstrate the characteristics needed in AO1, AO2 and AO3.
Deciding on the mark awarded within a band
- The first stage for an examiner is to use both the indicative content and the assessment
grid to decide the overall band.
- The second stage is to decide how firmly the characteristics expected for that band are
displayed.
- Thirdly a final mark for the question can then be awarded.
Organisation and communication
This issue should have bearing if the standard of organisation and communication is
inconsistent with the descriptor for the band in which the answer falls. In this situation,
examiners may decide not to award the highest mark in the band.
Level Descriptors
Using ‘best–fit’, decide first which set of level descriptors best describes the overall quality of
the answer. The following grid should inform your decision as to which band the answer
belongs:
1
© WJEC CBAC Ltd.
SUMMER 2019
A LEVEL (NEW)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - UNIT 4
1160U40-1
© WJEC CBAC Ltd.
,INTRODUCTION
This marking scheme was used by WJEC for the 2019 examination. It was finalised after
detailed discussion at examiners' conferences by all the examiners involved in the
assessment. The conference was held shortly after the paper was taken so that reference
could be made to the full range of candidates' responses, with photocopied scripts forming
the basis of discussion. The aim of the conference was to ensure that the marking scheme
was interpreted and applied in the same way by all examiners.
It is hoped that this information will be of assistance to centres but it is recognised at the
same time that, without the benefit of participation in the examiners' conference, teachers
may have different views on certain matters of detail or interpretation.
WJEC regrets that it cannot enter into any discussion or correspondence about this marking
scheme.
© WJEC CBAC Ltd.
, GCE A LEVEL (NEW)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
SUMMER 2019 MARK SCHEME
UNIT 4: Government and politics of the USA
Marking guidance for examiners
Summary of assessment objectives for Unit 4
The questions in Section A assess both AO1 and AO2. The questions in Section B assess
both AO1 and AO3. The question in Section C assesses all three assessment objectives.
The assessment objectives focus on the ability to demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political concepts, theories and issues
(AO1); the a b i l i t y to interpret and apply political information to identify and explain
relevant similarities, d i f f e r e n c e s , and connections (AO2), and the ability to analyse and
evaluate the areas of government and politics studied to construct arguments, make
substantiated judgements a n d draw conclusions (AO3).
The structure of the mark scheme
The mark scheme for each question has two parts:
- Advice outlining indicative content which can be used to assess the quality of the
specific response. The content is not prescriptive and candidates are not expected to
mention all the material referred to. Examiners should seek to credit any further
admissible evidence offered by the candidates.
- An assessment grid advising bands and associated marks that should be allocated to
responses which demonstrate the characteristics needed in AO1, AO2 and AO3.
Deciding on the mark awarded within a band
- The first stage for an examiner is to use both the indicative content and the assessment
grid to decide the overall band.
- The second stage is to decide how firmly the characteristics expected for that band are
displayed.
- Thirdly a final mark for the question can then be awarded.
Organisation and communication
This issue should have bearing if the standard of organisation and communication is
inconsistent with the descriptor for the band in which the answer falls. In this situation,
examiners may decide not to award the highest mark in the band.
Level Descriptors
Using ‘best–fit’, decide first which set of level descriptors best describes the overall quality of
the answer. The following grid should inform your decision as to which band the answer
belongs:
1
© WJEC CBAC Ltd.
