Project tasks that are not of A-level standard revision notes

Core rule

If the problem or investigation selected for a project is not of A-level standard, the project is still marked against the stated criteria. However, the mark awarded must be adjusted downwards by two marking levels in each section. The technical solution is the exception: this downward adjustment does not apply to it.

Applying the adjustment

The standard of the selected task must be taken into account when awarding marks. First, identify the level that the student's work would meet using the relevant criteria. Then move the award down by two marking levels for the affected section. The adjustment is based on the level achieved by the work, not on replacing the criteria with a different set of criteria.

For example, a fully or nearly fully articulated design of a real problem describing how the solution is to be structured or is structured would achieve Level Four, worth 10–12 marks, for Documented Design if the project were of A-level standard. If the selected problem were too simple to be of A-level standard but the same design criteria had been fulfilled, the award would be shifted down by two levels, into Level Two, worth 4–6 marks.

Evaluation exception

For evaluation, the supplied requirement expresses the adjustment as two marks rather than two marking levels. Keep this distinction clear: do not automatically apply the wording for the other sections to evaluation.

If two levels cannot be removed

If a downward shift by two marking levels is not possible, award a mark in the lowest level. This prevents the adjustment from producing an invalid level outside the available marking structure.

Common errors

• Applying the reduction to the technical solution, even though it is excluded.
• Treating a simple task as A-level standard merely because the student's documentation is detailed.
• Reducing marks before identifying the level supported by the criteria.
• Confusing the two-level adjustment for sections with the two-mark adjustment for evaluation.
• Creating a new marking criterion instead of applying the existing criteria and then adjusting the award.

Quick worked reasoning

A task is judged too simple for A-level standard. The student's documented design meets the description associated with Level Four. The normal range is 10–12 marks, but the task-standard adjustment moves the award down two levels to Level Two, giving a range of 4–6 marks. The same adjustment is not made to the technical solution; evaluation uses its specified two-mark adjustment.