Whether you’re a student or a teacher, you’re sure to find our version of the mark scheme handy. Printing neatly on one side of A4, the abbreviated text and intuitive layout helps you focus on the key differences between each level. You can circle the descriptors to make easier “best fit” judgements.
Students – you can use it as a handy checklist to check if your work is in shape for submission!
Here is a link to the full Cambridge Mark Scheme for the Specimen Paper (exams from 2025). Teachers should read the marking instructions and general principles there. Key takeaways are:
- Material after the 2000-word limit isn’t credited
- Mark positively (i.e. not deducting marks for mistakes)
- Language errors don’t matter if meaning is unambiguous
- Credit can also given for valid answers that go beyond the mark scheme
- All criteria in a descriptor met => top score for that level
- The full mark range is achievable
- Look for the “best fit” (i.e compensate between higher and lower achievement for different aspects).
I like this, but I would love a rubric for the team project.
Thank you! Yes, that’s also on our list of things to do.