GCSE Astronomy Mark Schemes
I'm studying for GCSE astronomy outside of school and I have done some past papers. However, the mark schemes on edexcel's website is really weird. For example, there's no additional guidance like every other science gcse and the marking points for 6 markers are sort of vague and there are very few points. So basically I have to get the exact words in the mark scheme to get the marks.
Does anyone know if this is actually the mark scheme used for the actual GCSE? Is there not an additional guidance section?
Also if any former/current gcse astronomy students have any tips for answering questions please let me know!
Does anyone know if this is actually the mark scheme used for the actual GCSE? Is there not an additional guidance section?
Also if any former/current gcse astronomy students have any tips for answering questions please let me know!
Original post
by Sia^^I'm studying for GCSE astronomy outside of school and I have done some past papers. However, the mark schemes on edexcel's website is really weird. For example, there's no additional guidance like every other science gcse and the marking points for 6 markers are sort of vague and there are very few points. So basically I have to get the exact words in the mark scheme to get the marks.
Does anyone know if this is actually the mark scheme used for the actual GCSE? Is there not an additional guidance section?
Also if any former/current gcse astronomy students have any tips for answering questions please let me know!
Does anyone know if this is actually the mark scheme used for the actual GCSE? Is there not an additional guidance section?
Also if any former/current gcse astronomy students have any tips for answering questions please let me know!
If you're referring to Mark scheme - Paper 1 - June 2023 and Mark scheme - Paper 2 - June 2023, then yes these are the genuine mark schemes that examiners used for the June 2023 papers.
Note that for the 6-markers you don't have to provide exactly what's given in he mark scheme. That why each answer - e.g. for 6(b) and 7(c) - starts with the text "Indicative Content:" They even put it in bold.
Have you looked at any of the Examiner reports (also on the Pearson web site)? For example, Examiner report - Paper 1 - June 2023 provides an example for one of the 6-markers - question 6(b), and explains why it was awarded 4 marks. For the other 6-marker - question 7(c) - it provides this commentary (where I've added bold to the part which seems particularly relevant, in terms of gaining marks):
"This question allowed candidates to demonstrate their ability to design a programme of astronomical observations. The quality of their design determined the level of their mark, adjusted by the accuracy of their indicative content, as set out in the Mark Scheme.
The context provided was the design of an effective naked-eye observing programme for the planet Mercury. Although identified many thousands of years before the invention of the telescope, Mercury’s proximity to the Sun in the sky made this a less than straightforward design brief.
Although many candidates listed some sound practice for the observation of planets, a surprising proportion made no reference to the difficulties of observing Mercury which is always close to the Sun in the sky.
Centres are reminded of the importance of including the Observational Tasks as part of their programme when preparing candidates for this examination. Particularly in this question, it was clear that some candidates had not always backed up their knowledge of the Subject Content with actual practical experience."
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