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How do you mark geography 9 markers????

I need some help marking my Georgaphy 9 markers, I've tried following the marking criterias but I just don't get the technical way of how marks are awarded. I understand the indicative content bit, but even when following those points how many marks am I supposed to award myself?

And also how are SPaG marks applied??
Are they 6 marks for the content/knowledge of your answer + 3 SPaG marks = 9 marks in total
Or 9 marks for knowledge/content + 3 SPaG marks = 11 marks in total? I'm just so confused

Reply 1

Original post
by mfnmuu12
I need some help marking my Georgaphy 9 markers, I've tried following the marking criterias but I just don't get the technical way of how marks are awarded. I understand the indicative content bit, but even when following those points how many marks am I supposed to award myself?
And also how are SPaG marks applied??
Are they 6 marks for the content/knowledge of your answer + 3 SPaG marks = 9 marks in total
Or 9 marks for knowledge/content + 3 SPaG marks = 11 marks in total? I'm just so confused

For geography 9-markers, you have to write 3 points. For each add evidence and then develop with either this means that or this is because (or both). I typically used to write 4 paragraphs for 9-markers just in case, as you won't be deducted for worse paragraphs. Typically, 9-markers will go hand-in-hand with a case study that you should use in your evidence. You should also make sure to use the figure if one is provided in the evidence. If you can't remember statistics for case studies just use your best judgement to estimate a figure. They most likely won't be checked and as long as your within approximately plus or minus 25% (less if the figure is very small) and as long as it sounds reasonable. If you really can't remember any facts or statistics try to make a different point. The case studies for these 9-markers are typically quite large so if you really think there isn't a case study there might not be (as seen with the urban sustainability question last year - although many did a case study, it wasn't on the specification and therefore full marks were attainable without). Also, at the end, make sure to include a conclusion.

9-markers are always only for knowledge/content. Sometimes, they will say +3 SPaG. This means there is a further 3 marks available for SPaG making the question a 12-marker. SPaG marks are based on how accurately you spell, punctuate and use grammar, as well as how accurately you use specialist geography terminology.

To mark a 9-marker (for content), first look at the requirements underneath the table (there may not be any), and make sure you don't give a level higher than what those requirements permit you. Then, look at the table. Typically, for level 1, you need very little basic content relevant to the question. For level 2, you need more information that is accurate and goes to some detail but may be 'limited or muddled'. For level 3, you need to go into significant detail showing accurate advanced understanding, typically requiring a conclusion, the use of a case study and the use of any given figures. Then once you've determined the level, award marks based on how close it is to the other levels, and/or how well you've used each AO (its usually 1 mark per level per AO. The indicative content shows some examples of what might indicate a higher level answer and information a level 3 answer could include. However, it is not a 'checklist' on what you need to improve. It usually has far more content than you need and you may have accurate, relevant content not in that section. It is there to help the marker, not do the marker's job. It also may have some facts on common case studies but the list is still non-exhaustive.

For SPaG:
3 marks - entirely or almost entirely accurate spelling, punctuation, grammar and use of specialist vocabulary, as well as use of a wide range of specialist vocabulary.
2 marks - most accurate spelling, punctuation, grammar and use of specialist vocabulary, as well as use of a good range of specialist vocabulary.
1 mark - some accurate spelling, punctuation, grammar and use of specialist vocabulary (meaning is still maintained), as well as use of a small range of specialist vocabulary.
0 marks - inaccurate spelling, punctuation, grammar and use of specialist vocabulary to the point of hindering meaning and understanding, as well as use of little to no range of specialist vocabulary. Could also be given if the answer is irrelevant to the question (or if specialist vocabulary is irrelevant).
(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 2

Original post
by hans2345
For geography 9-markers, you have to write 3 points. For each add evidence and then develop with either this means that or this is because (or both). I typically used to write 4 paragraphs for 9-markers just in case, as you won't be deducted for worse paragraphs. Typically, 9-markers will go hand-in-hand with a case study that you should use in your evidence. You should also make sure to use the figure if one is provided in the evidence. If you can't remember statistics for case studies just use your best judgement to estimate a figure. They most likely won't be checked and as long as your within approximately plus or minus 25% (less if the figure is very small) and as long as it sounds reasonable. If you really can't remember any facts or statistics try to make a different point. The case studies for these 9-markers are typically quite large so if you really think there isn't a case study there might not be (as seen with the urban sustainability question last year - although many did a case study, it wasn't on the specification and therefore full marks were attainable without). Also, at the end, make sure to include a conclusion.
9-markers are always only for knowledge/content. Sometimes, they will say +3 SPaG. This means there is a further 3 marks available for SPaG making the question a 12-marker. SPaG marks are based on how accurately you spell, punctuate and use grammar, as well as how accurately you use specialist geography terminology.
To mark a 9-marker (for content), first look at the requirements underneath the table (there may not be any), and make sure you don't give a level higher than what those requirements permit you. Then, look at the table. Typically, for level 1, you need very little basic content relevant to the question. For level 2, you need more information that is accurate and goes to some detail but may be 'limited or muddled'. For level 3, you need to go into significant detail showing accurate advanced understanding, typically requiring a conclusion, the use of a case study and the use of any given figures. Then once you've determined the level, award marks based on how close it is to the other levels, and/or how well you've used each AO (its usually 1 mark per level per AO. The indicative content shows some examples of what might indicate a higher level answer and information a level 3 answer could include. However, it is not a 'checklist' on what you need to improve. It usually has far more content than you need and you may have accurate, relevant content not in that section. It is there to help the marker, not do the marker's job. It also may have some facts on common case studies but the list is still non-exhaustive.
For SPaG:
3 marks - entirely or almost entirely accurate spelling, punctuation, grammar and use of specialist vocabulary, as well as use of a wide range of specialist vocabulary.
2 marks - most accurate spelling, punctuation, grammar and use of specialist vocabulary, as well as use of a good range of specialist vocabulary.
1 mark - some accurate spelling, punctuation, grammar and use of specialist vocabulary (meaning is still maintained), as well as use of a small range of specialist vocabulary.
0 marks - inaccurate spelling, punctuation, grammar and use of specialist vocabulary to the point of hindering meaning and understanding, as well as use of little to no range of specialist vocabulary. Could also be given if the answer is irrelevant to the question (or if specialist vocabulary is irrelevant).

Thank you, that makes some more sense now - I'll try and follow your tips.

Still, I think it's a little difficult to mark long answer questions myself, it's usually quite a problem for me to make a judgement on my own work since I don't know if I'll mark it with bias, I think I need to resort to having someone else look over my work 😅

Also, my teacher tells us to write our 9 markers in 2 paragraphs only, but with each one in greater detail and a bit longer compared to 3 smaller points. So I only really write about 2 points in my 9 markers but with more development and links to the question. Would that be any sort of setback? Should I settle with writing 2 large points or 3 smaller points? Thank you very much for the help btw!

Reply 3

Original post
by mfnmuu12
Thank you, that makes some more sense now - I'll try and follow your tips.
Still, I think it's a little difficult to mark long answer questions myself, it's usually quite a problem for me to make a judgement on my own work since I don't know if I'll mark it with bias, I think I need to resort to having someone else look over my work 😅
Also, my teacher tells us to write our 9 markers in 2 paragraphs only, but with each one in greater detail and a bit longer compared to 3 smaller points. So I only really write about 2 points in my 9 markers but with more development and links to the question. Would that be any sort of setback? Should I settle with writing 2 large points or 3 smaller points? Thank you very much for the help btw!

I would be sceptical of only 2 points, as while it is possible to score 9 marks, I reckon it will be easier to do so with 3 or even 4 points. 3 points allows you to show off your knowledge over a variety of factors as well as giving an examiner more reason to give those higher marks. 3 points allows you to present a better argument and provides more to write a good conclusion. It gives room for error; if the examiner thinks one of your paragraphs is weak, you still have the other 2 to provide a good argument and access those higher marks. Finally, although maybe less of a concern, examiners are not paid much and are probably not going to care much about your paper specifically. Reading 2 large paragraphs is going to annoy them far more than reading 3 smaller paragraphs and may lead to subconscious bias against you.

Also, for SPaG marks, 3 paragraphs provides more opportunity to show specialist vocabulary.

p.s. all of the information I gave was for aqa, if you're doing another board, the exam style may be slightly different, but this should still be mostly applicable.

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