The marks are allocated based on a detailed rubric that outlines the specific criteria for each question. These criteria are developed by subject matter experts to ensure that they align with the learning objectives and standards of the curriculum.
The mark scheme is typically created by a team of experienced educators and examiners who have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. They use their expertise to design a fair and comprehensive marking guide.
The difficulty level is determined through a combination of past exam data, pilot testing, and expert judgment. This ensures that the questions are appropriately challenging and that the mark distribution reflects the expected performance range of the students.
Yes, marks can be adjusted after exams are taken through a process called standardization or moderation. This process involves reviewing a sample of student responses to ensure consistency and fairness in marking across different examiners and centers.
Mark schemes ensure fairness and consistency through detailed guidelines, training for examiners, and regular quality checks. Examiners are trained to apply the mark scheme uniformly, and their marking is monitored to maintain high standards of reliability and validity.