GCSE
MATHEMAT
ICS
8300/2H
Higher Tier Paper 2 Calculator
Mark scheme
June 2025
Version: 1.0 Final
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE MATHEMATICS – 8300/2H – JUNE 2025
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 Examiner.
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 aqa.org.uk
2 AQA GCSE
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE MATHEMATICS – 8300/2H –
JUNE 2025
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal
use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even
for internal use within the centre.
Glossary for Mark Schemes
GCSE examinations are marked in such a way as to award positive achievement wherever possible.
Thus, for GCSE Mathematics papers, marks are awarded under various categories.
If a student uses a method which is not explicitly covered by the mark scheme the same principles of
marking should be applied. Credit should be given to any valid methods. Examiners should seek advice
from their senior examiner if in any doubt.
M Method marks are awarded for a correct method which could lead
to a correct answer.
A Accuracy marks are awarded when following on from a correct
method. It is not necessary to always see the method. This can be
implied.
B Marks awarded independent of method.
ft Follow through marks. Marks awarded for correct working
following a mistake in an earlier step.
SC Special case. Marks awarded for a common misinterpretation
which has some mathematical worth.
M dep A method mark dependent on a previous method mark being awarded.
B dep A mark that can only be awarded if a previous independent mark has
been awarded.
oe Or equivalent. Accept answers that are equivalent.
eg accept 0.5 as well as
[a, b] Accept values between a and b inclusive.
[a, b) Accept values a ⩽ value < b
3.14 … Accept answers which begin 3.14 eg 3.14, 3.142, 3.1416
Use of brackets It is not necessary to see the bracketed work to award the marks.
Examiners should consistently apply the following principles.
AQA GCSE
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE MATHEMATICS – 8300/2H – JUNE 2025
Diagrams
Diagrams that have working on them should be treated like normal responses. If a diagram has been
written on but the correct response is within the answer space, the work within the answer space should be
marked. Working on diagrams that contradicts work within the answer space is not to be considered as
choice but as working, and is not, therefore, penalised.
Responses which appear to come from incorrect methods
Whenever there is doubt as to whether a student has used an incorrect method to obtain an answer, as a
general principle, the benefit of doubt must be given to the student. In cases where there is no doubt that
the answer has come from incorrect working then the student should be penalised.
Questions which ask students to show working
Instructions on marking will be given but usually marks are not awarded to students who show no working.
Questions which do not ask students to show working
As a general principle, a correct response is awarded full marks.
Misread or miscopy
Students often copy values from a question incorrectly. If the examiner thinks that the student has made a
genuine misread, then only the accuracy marks (A or B marks), up to a maximum of 2 marks are penalised.
The method marks can still be awarded.
Further work
Once the correct answer has been seen, further working may be ignored unless it goes on to contradict the
correct answer.
Choice
When a choice of answers and/or methods is given, mark each attempt. If both methods are valid then M
marks can be awarded but any incorrect answer or method would result in marks being lost.
Work not replaced
Erased or crossed out work that is still legible should be marked.
Work replaced
Erased or crossed out work that has been replaced is not awarded marks.
Premature approximation
Rounding off too early can lead to inaccuracy in the final answer. This should be penalised by 1 mark
unless instructed otherwise.
Continental notation
Accept a comma used instead of a decimal point (for example, in measurements or currency), provided that
it is clear to the examiner that the student intended it to be a decimal point.
4 AQA GCSE
MATHEMAT
ICS
8300/2H
Higher Tier Paper 2 Calculator
Mark scheme
June 2025
Version: 1.0 Final
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE MATHEMATICS – 8300/2H – JUNE 2025
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 Examiner.
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 aqa.org.uk
2 AQA GCSE
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE MATHEMATICS – 8300/2H –
JUNE 2025
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal
use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even
for internal use within the centre.
Glossary for Mark Schemes
GCSE examinations are marked in such a way as to award positive achievement wherever possible.
Thus, for GCSE Mathematics papers, marks are awarded under various categories.
If a student uses a method which is not explicitly covered by the mark scheme the same principles of
marking should be applied. Credit should be given to any valid methods. Examiners should seek advice
from their senior examiner if in any doubt.
M Method marks are awarded for a correct method which could lead
to a correct answer.
A Accuracy marks are awarded when following on from a correct
method. It is not necessary to always see the method. This can be
implied.
B Marks awarded independent of method.
ft Follow through marks. Marks awarded for correct working
following a mistake in an earlier step.
SC Special case. Marks awarded for a common misinterpretation
which has some mathematical worth.
M dep A method mark dependent on a previous method mark being awarded.
B dep A mark that can only be awarded if a previous independent mark has
been awarded.
oe Or equivalent. Accept answers that are equivalent.
eg accept 0.5 as well as
[a, b] Accept values between a and b inclusive.
[a, b) Accept values a ⩽ value < b
3.14 … Accept answers which begin 3.14 eg 3.14, 3.142, 3.1416
Use of brackets It is not necessary to see the bracketed work to award the marks.
Examiners should consistently apply the following principles.
AQA GCSE
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE MATHEMATICS – 8300/2H – JUNE 2025
Diagrams
Diagrams that have working on them should be treated like normal responses. If a diagram has been
written on but the correct response is within the answer space, the work within the answer space should be
marked. Working on diagrams that contradicts work within the answer space is not to be considered as
choice but as working, and is not, therefore, penalised.
Responses which appear to come from incorrect methods
Whenever there is doubt as to whether a student has used an incorrect method to obtain an answer, as a
general principle, the benefit of doubt must be given to the student. In cases where there is no doubt that
the answer has come from incorrect working then the student should be penalised.
Questions which ask students to show working
Instructions on marking will be given but usually marks are not awarded to students who show no working.
Questions which do not ask students to show working
As a general principle, a correct response is awarded full marks.
Misread or miscopy
Students often copy values from a question incorrectly. If the examiner thinks that the student has made a
genuine misread, then only the accuracy marks (A or B marks), up to a maximum of 2 marks are penalised.
The method marks can still be awarded.
Further work
Once the correct answer has been seen, further working may be ignored unless it goes on to contradict the
correct answer.
Choice
When a choice of answers and/or methods is given, mark each attempt. If both methods are valid then M
marks can be awarded but any incorrect answer or method would result in marks being lost.
Work not replaced
Erased or crossed out work that is still legible should be marked.
Work replaced
Erased or crossed out work that has been replaced is not awarded marks.
Premature approximation
Rounding off too early can lead to inaccuracy in the final answer. This should be penalised by 1 mark
unless instructed otherwise.
Continental notation
Accept a comma used instead of a decimal point (for example, in measurements or currency), provided that
it is clear to the examiner that the student intended it to be a decimal point.
4 AQA GCSE
