Mark Scheme
(Results)
November 2021
Pearson Edexcel GCSE
In Biology (1BI0) Paper 1H
,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding
body. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational,
occupational and specific programmes for employers. For further information visit our
qualifications websites at www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively, you can
get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page at
www.edexcel.com/contactus.
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone
progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all
kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for
over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an
international reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement
through innovation in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your
students at: www.pearson.com/uk
November 2021
Publications Code 1BI0_1H_2111_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2021
,General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must
mark the first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be
rewarded for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised
for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according
to their perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme
should be used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded.
Examiners should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the
answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should also be
prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is not
worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the
principles by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be
limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark
scheme to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has
replaced it with an alternative response.
, Mark schemes have been developed so that the rubrics of each mark scheme reflects the
characteristics of the skills within the AO being targeted and the requirements of the
command word. So for example the command word ‘Explain’ requires an identification of a
point and then reasoning/justification of the point.
Explain questions can be asked across all AOs. The distinction comes whether the
identification is via a judgment made to reach a conclusion, or, making a point through
application of knowledge to reason/justify the point made through application of
understanding. It is the combination and linkage of the marking points that is needed to gain
full marks.
When marking questions with a ‘describe’ or ‘explain’ command word, the detailed marking
guidance below should be consulted to ensure consistency of marking.
Assessment Command Word
Objective
Strand Element Describe Explain
AO1 An answer that combines the An explanation that links
marking points to provide a identification of a point with
logical description reasoning/justification(s) as
required
AO2 An answer that combines the An explanation that links
marking points to provide a identification of a point (by
logical description, showing applying knowledge) with
application of knowledge and reasoning/justification
understanding (application of understanding)
AO3 1a and An answer that combines points
1b of interpretation/evaluation to
provide a logical description
AO3 2a and An explanation that combines
2b identification via a judgment to
reach a conclusion via
justification/reasoning
AO3 3a An answer that combines the
marking points to provide a
logical description of the
plan/method/experiment
AO3 3b An explanation that combines
identifying an improvement of
the experimental procedure with
a linked justification/reasoning
(Results)
November 2021
Pearson Edexcel GCSE
In Biology (1BI0) Paper 1H
,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding
body. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational,
occupational and specific programmes for employers. For further information visit our
qualifications websites at www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively, you can
get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page at
www.edexcel.com/contactus.
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone
progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all
kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for
over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an
international reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement
through innovation in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your
students at: www.pearson.com/uk
November 2021
Publications Code 1BI0_1H_2111_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2021
,General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must
mark the first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be
rewarded for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised
for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according
to their perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme
should be used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded.
Examiners should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the
answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should also be
prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is not
worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the
principles by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be
limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark
scheme to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has
replaced it with an alternative response.
, Mark schemes have been developed so that the rubrics of each mark scheme reflects the
characteristics of the skills within the AO being targeted and the requirements of the
command word. So for example the command word ‘Explain’ requires an identification of a
point and then reasoning/justification of the point.
Explain questions can be asked across all AOs. The distinction comes whether the
identification is via a judgment made to reach a conclusion, or, making a point through
application of knowledge to reason/justify the point made through application of
understanding. It is the combination and linkage of the marking points that is needed to gain
full marks.
When marking questions with a ‘describe’ or ‘explain’ command word, the detailed marking
guidance below should be consulted to ensure consistency of marking.
Assessment Command Word
Objective
Strand Element Describe Explain
AO1 An answer that combines the An explanation that links
marking points to provide a identification of a point with
logical description reasoning/justification(s) as
required
AO2 An answer that combines the An explanation that links
marking points to provide a identification of a point (by
logical description, showing applying knowledge) with
application of knowledge and reasoning/justification
understanding (application of understanding)
AO3 1a and An answer that combines points
1b of interpretation/evaluation to
provide a logical description
AO3 2a and An explanation that combines
2b identification via a judgment to
reach a conclusion via
justification/reasoning
AO3 3a An answer that combines the
marking points to provide a
logical description of the
plan/method/experiment
AO3 3b An explanation that combines
identifying an improvement of
the experimental procedure with
a linked justification/reasoning
