Marking comments for KS4 – for use on labels!
AO1
(AO1) Working towards Level 1 – Below Grade F
Well done on attempting the question, but in order to begin to make real progress you need to: -
q Be able to write sentences, which include information in answer to the question.
q Sometimes you write general comments without explaining how or why something happened. Sometimes you say things, which could be true of other periods of History.
q Sometimes you repeat yourself.
· In order to get to Level 1 you need more information about the actual topic that you are studying.
(AO1) Level 1 – Grade E/F
Well done, you have shown you have the ability to get a reasonable grade at GCSE on this particular topic, you have shown: -
q You are able to write sentences, which include information in answer to the question.
q Sometimes you write general comments without explaining how or why something happened. Sometimes you say things, which could be true of other periods of History.
q Sometimes you repeat yourself.
· In order to get beyond Level 1, you need more information about the actual topic that you are studying. You will need to organise it into paragraphs.
(AO1) Level 2 – Grade C/D
Well done, you have shown you have the ability to get a reasonable grade at GCSE on this particular topic, consistent work of this level in the exam will get you a grade C. You have shown: -
q You are able to back up your answer with knowledge about the topic, showing that you understand quite a lot about it.
q Sometimes you do not stick to the point of the question you are answering but put in anything on the topic. Try to control what you include.
q You are able to organise your answer into paragraphs. Usually paragraphs at this level are not linked, but follow like a list.
· To improve, you need to think about your whole answer, plan it out into paragraphs and get them in a good order.
(AO1) Level 3 – Grade A/B
Well done, you have shown you have the ability to get a top grade at GCSE on this particular topic, consistent work of this level in the exam will get you a GRADE A . You have shown: -
q Your answers consist of a sequence of paragraphs in an order, which you have thought about and planned. Each has detailed knowledge and understanding of the topic of that paragraph.
q There should be some links between the sections or paragraphs in order to show that you know what you are doing.
· To improve, you need to take even more care over the planning, not just pushing your information about, but choosing it and then using it to answer exactly what the question asks.
(AO1) Level 4 – Grade A*
A brilliant piece of work, You star! You have shown you have the ability to get the highest grade at GCSE on this particular topic, consistent work of this level in the exam will get you a GRADE A* . You have shown: -
q In this type of response the main argument takes over and controls the whole answer.
q Each paragraph will select just the right amount of information, just the right fact or understanding, to prove the point you want to make. The answer as a whole will build up over several paragraphs.
q There may well be an introduction, in which you lay out what you think of the question, and a conclusion in which you tie it all up.
Level 4 answers may not be longer than level 3 answers, but they are better organised.
AO 2 /AO3
(AO 2 /AO3 ) Working towards Level 1 – Below Grade F
Well done on attempting the question, but in order to begin to make real progress you need to: -
· Use the sources you are directed to in your answer.
· Show you have some understanding of the topic being covered in the question.
(AO 2 /AO3 ) Level 1 – Grade E/F
Well done, you have shown you have the ability to get a reasonable grade at GCSE on this particular topic, you have shown: -
q You take sources at face value, without thinking about the provenance (the sentence which tells you who wrote it, drew it, took the photo or whatever).
q You can take information from sources, using them to find out about a question you have been asked. However, you simply re–write this without thinking about it.
q When you look at an interpretation or representation you also take it at face value, without thinking whether it might not be entirely accurate.
· To improve, you need to look at the provenance of a source and think about how that affects its meaning. You need to think about whether a source really means what it says.
(AO 2 /AO3 ) Level 3 – Grade A/B
Well done, you have shown you have the ability to get a top grade at GCSE on this particular topic, consistent work of this level in the exam will get you a GRADE A . You have shown: -
q You can make good, thoughtful, developed comments on the evidence a source provides by using what you have been given about its nature, origins and purpose.
q You go on from this, not to reject unreliable sources, but to explain how they could be used. For example, you can show how a one–sided source can tell us about people’s motives or intentions; or you can explain how propaganda works.
q You give thorough answers to questions asking you to comment on interpretations or representations.
To improve, you need to think about how to plan answers to big questions, putting the whole answer together and using sources where you want them to fit, not just how they have been put in front of you.
(AO 2 /AO3 ) Level 4 – Grade A*
A brilliant piece of work, You star! You have shown you have the ability to get the highest grade at GCSE on this particular topic, consistent work of this level in the exam will get you a GRADE A* . You have shown: -
q You can really use sources, putting them where you want them to go in your own answer to the question set.
q You will be able to comment on the reliability of sources, and their utility, but these skills will be shown as part of the whole answer.
q All the sections and/or paragraphs of the answer will be linked and will flow in an ordered way from opening remarks to a conclusion which may be a personal one.