External Assessment Criteria
Markbands for paper 1: Section A
The framework below provides a general guide for teachers to the assessment of responses to paper 1 section A questions. Markschemes prepared for each examination question guide the awarding of marks by examiners.
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
Low = There is an attempt to answer the question, but knowledge and understanding is limited, often inaccurate, or of marginal relevance to the question.
Mid = The question is partially answered. Knowledge and understanding is accurate but limited. Either the command term is not effectively addressed or the response is not sufficiently explicit in answering the question.
High = The question is answered in a focused and effective manner and meets the demands of the command term. The response is supported by appropriate and accurate knowledge and understanding of research.
Assessment criteria for paper 1: Section B
A Knowledge and comprehension
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1-3 = The answer demonstrates limited knowledge and understanding that is of marginal relevance to the question. Little or no psychological research is used in the response.
4-6 = The answer demonstrates limited knowledge and understanding relevant to the question or uses relevant psychological research to limited effect in the response.
7-9 = The answer demonstrates detailed, accurate knowledge and understanding relevant to the question, and uses relevant psychological research effectively in support of the response.
B Evidence of critical thinking: Application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1-3 = The answer goes beyond description but evidence of critical thinking is not linked to the requirements of the question.
4-6 = The answer offers appropriate but limited evidence of critical thinking or offers evidence of critical thinking that is only implicitly linked to the requirements of the question.
7-9 = The answer integrates relevant and explicit evidence of critical thinking in response to the question.
C Organization
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1-2 = The answer is organized or focused on the question. However, this is not sustained throughout the response.
3-4 = The answer is well organized, well developed and focused on the question.
Assessment criteria for paper 2
A Knowledge and comprehension
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1-3 = The answer demonstrates limited knowledge and understanding that is of marginal relevance to the question. Little or no psychological research is used in the response.
4-6 = The answer demonstrates limited knowledge and understanding relevant to the question or uses relevant psychological research to limited effect in the response.
7-9 = The answer demonstrates detailed, accurate knowledge and understanding relevant to the question, and uses relevant psychological research effectively in support of the response.
B Evidence of critical thinking: application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1-3 = The answer goes beyond description but evidence of critical thinking is not linked to the requirements of the question.
4-6 = The answer offers appropriate but limited evidence of critical thinking or offers evidence of critical thinking that is only implicitly linked to the requirements of the question.
7-9 = The answer integrates relevant and explicit evidence of critical thinking in response to the question.
C Organisation
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1-2 = The answer is organized or focused on the question. However, this is not sustained throughout the response.
3-4 = The answer is well organized, well developed and focused on the question.
The framework below provides a general guide for teachers to the assessment of responses to paper 1 section A questions. Markschemes prepared for each examination question guide the awarding of marks by examiners.
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
Low = There is an attempt to answer the question, but knowledge and understanding is limited, often inaccurate, or of marginal relevance to the question.
Mid = The question is partially answered. Knowledge and understanding is accurate but limited. Either the command term is not effectively addressed or the response is not sufficiently explicit in answering the question.
High = The question is answered in a focused and effective manner and meets the demands of the command term. The response is supported by appropriate and accurate knowledge and understanding of research.
Assessment criteria for paper 1: Section B
A Knowledge and comprehension
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1-3 = The answer demonstrates limited knowledge and understanding that is of marginal relevance to the question. Little or no psychological research is used in the response.
4-6 = The answer demonstrates limited knowledge and understanding relevant to the question or uses relevant psychological research to limited effect in the response.
7-9 = The answer demonstrates detailed, accurate knowledge and understanding relevant to the question, and uses relevant psychological research effectively in support of the response.
B Evidence of critical thinking: Application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1-3 = The answer goes beyond description but evidence of critical thinking is not linked to the requirements of the question.
4-6 = The answer offers appropriate but limited evidence of critical thinking or offers evidence of critical thinking that is only implicitly linked to the requirements of the question.
7-9 = The answer integrates relevant and explicit evidence of critical thinking in response to the question.
C Organization
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1-2 = The answer is organized or focused on the question. However, this is not sustained throughout the response.
3-4 = The answer is well organized, well developed and focused on the question.
Assessment criteria for paper 2
A Knowledge and comprehension
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1-3 = The answer demonstrates limited knowledge and understanding that is of marginal relevance to the question. Little or no psychological research is used in the response.
4-6 = The answer demonstrates limited knowledge and understanding relevant to the question or uses relevant psychological research to limited effect in the response.
7-9 = The answer demonstrates detailed, accurate knowledge and understanding relevant to the question, and uses relevant psychological research effectively in support of the response.
B Evidence of critical thinking: application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1-3 = The answer goes beyond description but evidence of critical thinking is not linked to the requirements of the question.
4-6 = The answer offers appropriate but limited evidence of critical thinking or offers evidence of critical thinking that is only implicitly linked to the requirements of the question.
7-9 = The answer integrates relevant and explicit evidence of critical thinking in response to the question.
C Organisation
0 = The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1-2 = The answer is organized or focused on the question. However, this is not sustained throughout the response.
3-4 = The answer is well organized, well developed and focused on the question.