Functional Skills Level 1
ENGLISH 8720R
Paper 1 Reading
Mark scheme
January 2025
Version: Final 1.0
, MARK SCHEME – FUNCTIONAL SKILLS ENGLISH LEVEL 1 – 8720R – JANUARY 2025
*251a8720R/MS*
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 learners’ 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 learners’ 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 learners’ 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.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the gender
identity of others in their exam responses.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in exam
responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
2
ENGLISH 8720R
Paper 1 Reading
Mark scheme
January 2025
Version: Final 1.0
, MARK SCHEME – FUNCTIONAL SKILLS ENGLISH LEVEL 1 – 8720R – JANUARY 2025
*251a8720R/MS*
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 learners’ 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 learners’ 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 learners’ 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.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the gender
identity of others in their exam responses.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in exam
responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
2
