Mark scheme notes Underlying principle The mark scheme will clearly indicate the concept that is being rewarded, backed up by examples. It is not a set of model answers. 1. Mark scheme format 1.1 You will not see ‘wtte’ (words to that effect). Alternative correct wording should be credited in every answer unless the MS has specified specific words that must be present. Such words will be indicated by underlining e.g. ‘resonance’ 1.2 Bold lower case will be used for emphasis e.g. ‘and’ when two pieces of information are needed for 1 mark. 1.3 Round brackets ( ) indicate words that are not essential e.g. “(hence) distance is increased”. 1.4 Square brackets [ ] indicate advice to examiners or examples e.g. [Do not accept gravity] [ecf]. 2. Unit error penalties 2.1 A separate mark is not usually given for a unit but a missing or incorrect unit will normally mean that the final calculation mark will not be awarded. 2.2 This does not apply in ‘show that’ questions or in any other question where the units to be used have been given, for example in a spreadsheet. 2.3 The mark will not be awarded for the same missing or incorrect unit only once within one clip in epen. 2.4 Occasionally, it may be decided not to insist on a unit e.g the candidate may be calculating the gradient of a graph, resulting in a unit that is not one that should be known and is complex. 2.5 The mark scheme will indicate if no unit error is to be applied by means of [no ue]. 3. Significant figures 3.1 Use of too many significant figures in the theory questions will not be prevent a mark being awarded if the answer given rounds to the answer in the MS. 3.2 Too few significant figures will mean that the final mark cannot be awarded in ‘show that’ questions where one more significant figure than the value in the question is needed for the candidate to demonstrate the validity of the given answer. 3.3 The use of one significant figure might be inappropriate in the context of the question e.g. reading a value off a graph. If this is the case, there will be a clear indication in the MS. 3.4 The use of g = 10 m s-2 or 10 N kg-1 instead of 9.81 m s-2 or 9.81 N kg- 1 will mean that one mark will not be awarded. (but not more than once per clip). Accept 9.8 m s-2 or 9.8 N kg-1 3.5 In questions assessing practical skills, a specific number of significant figures will be required e.g. determining a constant from the