9708/22Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark SchemePUBLISHED October/November 2021 © UCLES 2021Page 2 of 15Generic Marking Principles These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1: Marks must be awarded in line with: •the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question •the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question •the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2: Marks awarded are alwayswhole marks(not half marks, or other fractions). GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3: Marks must be awardedpositively: •marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate •marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do •marks are not deducted for errors •marks are not deducted for omissions •answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4: Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
