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 bil it y to interpret and
apply political information to identify and explain relevant similarities,
diff erences, and connections (AO2), and the ability to analyse and evaluate
the areas of government and politics studied to construct arguments, make
substantiated judgements and 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:
© 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 bil it y to interpret and
apply political information to identify and explain relevant similarities,
diff erences, and connections (AO2), and the ability to analyse and evaluate
the areas of government and politics studied to construct arguments, make
substantiated judgements and 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:
© WJEC CBAC
Ltd.
