In-Service Teacher Training Assessment in IGCSE Biology 0610 Session 3: Mark schemes and Examiners Reports

Introductions Background Aim of training Welcome

Session 3 looks at: Using the published mark scheme Using the Examiner Reports Additional resources for IGCSE Biology

Using mark schemes (1): The importance of mark schemes Mark schemes: Give the allocation of marks Indicate the range of acceptable answers Give examples of unacceptable answers Give an indication of what Examiners are looking for in an answer

Using mark schemes (2): Use with the Examiner Report The mark scheme and Examiner Report: Both give information about each part of each question Should be used side by side to analyse students’ answers to questions Provide information which can be passed on to students

Using mark schemes (3): Analysis of candidate scripts Take each question in turn and do the following: Make yourself familiar with the mark scheme Mark the questions showing clearly where you gave each mark Bear in mind the marking guidelines given in Unit 2 When you have finished, compare your marks with those of the Examiner.

Using Examiner Reports (1): The importance of the reports The range of candidate misconceptions is addressed Areas of weakness of the candidates as a whole are highlighted Reasons are suggested for common incorrect answers The range of acceptable answers are commented on

Using Examiner Reports(2): Analysis of contents Misreading of questions Incorrect reference or lack of reference to the stem of a question Incorrect extraction of information from a table Advice for future candidates Careless use of words (which may result in candidates being penalised) Poor quality of diagrams

Using Examiner Reports (3): Teaching aims and Examiner Reports It is useful to analyse the Examiner Reports over a number of years There are a number of misconceptions that regularly reappear There are a number of specific areas which students find conceptually difficult

Additional resources (1): Schemes of work and tests The scheme of work has 10 units providing ideas about how you might teach the syllabus Each unit may also contain:  Questions  Online tests  Simulations and simulation notes

Additional resources (2): Other resources recommended by CIE Standards booklets Specimen papers IGCSE Biology Past Papers on CD Toolkit IGCSE Biology endorsed textbooks Teaching and Assessing Skills in Practical Science

Additional resources (3): Other resources recommended by CIE Planning for Practical Science in Secondary Schools Bioscope CD-ROM Resource lists

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