A-level
GEOGRAPHY
7037/2
Paper 2 Human geography
Mark scheme
June 2023
Version: 1.0 Final
*236A7037/2/MS*
MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY –
... [Show More] 7037/2 – JUNE 2023
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the
relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made
at the standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by
them in this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the
students’ responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same
correct way. As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts.
Alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after
the standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they
are required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed
and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future
mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles
of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular
examination paper.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY – 7037/2 – JUNE 2023
3
Level of response marking instructions
Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor. The
descriptor for the level shows the typical performance for the level. There are marks in each level.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer read through the answer and annotate it
(as instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme.
The notes for answers provide indicative content. Students’ responses may take a different approach
in relation to that which is typical or expected. It is important to stress that examiners must consider all
a student’s work and the extent to which this answered the question, irrespective of whether a
response follows an expected structure. If in doubt the examiner should contact their team leader for
advice and guidance.
Step 1 Determine a level
Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets
the descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be
seen in the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and
decide if it meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the
answer. With practice and familiarity you will find that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip
through the lower levels of the mark scheme.
When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer and not look to pick holes in
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest. If the
answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit approach for
defining the level and then use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within the level, ie if the
response is predominantly Level 3 with a small amount of Level 4 material it would be placed in Level 3 but
be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the Level 4 content.
Step 2 Determine a mark
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how to allocate
marks can help with this. The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help. There will be an
answer in the standardising materials which will correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This
answer will have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer
with the example to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then
use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark on the example.
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify
points and assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended
to be exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the
points mentioned in the indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks [Show Less]