Understanding Assessment - Paper 3

Introduction
This page provides information on assessment for paper 3, HL Core Extension. It sets out the Assessment Objectives for the 12 mark and 16 mark essays
What does paper 3 look like?
1 Hour
28 Marks
The student must answer two essay questions that are paired from a choice of three pairs. These include:
- One 12 mark essay
- One 16 mark essay
The questions can be related to any of the three sub-themes of:
- Power, Places and Networks
- Human Development and Diversity
- Global Risk and Resilience
What is the teacher looking for in my answers?
There are four Assessment Objectives that markers and your teacher will refer to when grading your work. These are:
- AO1: Knowledge and Understanding of specified content
- AO2 Application and analysis of knowledge and understanding
- AO3: Synthesis (links) and evaluation
- AO4: Selection, use and application of a variety of appropriate skills and techniques
How do I meet the Assessment Objectives in my answers?
The teacher uses markbands when grading your answers. Depending on the type of question these markbands range from 0 marks to 13-16 marks in Paper 3.
In addition, the teacher is looking for evidence of the Assessment Objectives where relevant
A zero will be awarded when a student's response does not reach a standard described by the level descriptors
(A) 1-3 Grade Descriptions
(B) 1-4 Grade Descriptions
Marks | AO1: Knowledge and understanding AO2: Application and analysis of knowledge and understanding | AO3: Synthesis and evaluation | AO4: Selection, use and application of a variety of appropriate skills and techniques |
(A)1-3 (B)1-4 |
| (A)
(B)
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(A) 4-6 Grade Descriptions
(B) 7-9 Grade Descriptors
Marks | AO1: Knowledge and understanding AO2: Application and analysis of knowledge and understanding | AO3: Synthesis and evaluation | AO4: Selection, use and application of a variety of appropriate skills and techniques |
(A)4-6 (B)5-8 |
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(B)
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The response has some relevant knowledge and understanding but it remains too general and is listed and poorly structured with a lack of critical comment
(A) 7-9 Grade Descriptions
(B) 10-12 Grade Descriptions
Marks | AO1: Knowledge and understanding AO2: Application and analysis of knowledge and understanding | AO3: Synthesis and evaluation | AO4: Selection, use and application of a variety of appropriate skills and techniques |
(A)7-9 (B) 10-12 |
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(B)
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The response addresses the question but with a narrow argument and limited evaluation and conclusions
(A) 10-12 Grade Descriptions
(B) 13-16 Grade Descriptions
Marks | AO1: Knowledge and understanding AO2: Application and analysis of knowledge and understanding | AO3: Synthesis and evaluation | AO4: Selection, use and application of a variety of appropriate skills and techniques |
A)10-12 (B)13-16 |
| (a)
(b)
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