IB Mathematics Markschemes

Which of these abbreviations is incorrectly described?

• M – marks awarded for attempting to use a valid Method; working must be seen

• A – Marks awarded for an Answer or for Accuracy; often dependent on preceding M marks

• R – Marks award for clear Reasoning

• N – Marks awarded for answers Nearly correct e.g. 0.38 instead of 0.381

Which of these abbreviations is incorrect?

• (M) – marks awarded for a valid Method; may be implied by correct subsequent working

• (A) – Marks awarded for an Answer or for Accuracy; may be implied by correct subsequent working

• AG – Answer Given in the question so no marks are awarded

• BoD – Candidate’s working is ambiguous so the Benefit of Doubt consideration applies

Which of the following is correct about A marks?

• It is not possible to award M0 followed by A1

• M1A1 on the same line means correct method attempted and correct values used

• Marks such as N2, (M3) can be split

• A1A1A1 on the same line cannot be awarded independently

Which of the following is incorrect about N marks?

• Incorrect working leading to the right answer: N marks can be awarded

• Award N marks for correct answers where no working is shown

• Do not award a mixture of N marks and other marks

• There may not be a direct relationship between N marks and implied marks

Which of the following is incorrect about implied marks?

• Implied marks appear in brackets, e.g. (M1)

• Award (M1) A1 for a correct answer where these is no working

• M1 is a ‘must be seen’ mark

• If M0 is awarded, subsequent marks may not be awarded

Which of the following is incorrect about follow though (FT)?

• Within a question part, once an errors is made, no further A marks can be awarded

• Only award FT marks where ‘their’ or FT is explicitly mentioned.

• FT only applies between question parts, not within them

• There must always be working present to award FT

Which of the following is incorrect about mis-read (MR)?

• MR applies when a student incorrectly copies information from the question

• MR applies when a student incorrectly copies their own work

• Do not award the first mark of the question to apply MR

• The candidate loses a maximum of one mark per question for MR

Which of the following is incorrect?

• Discretionary marks (DM) may exceptionally be awarded

• Only the alternative methods shown in the markscheme should be awarded marks

• All alternative forms of notation are acceptable

• Just ‘3’is an acceptable answer for k = 3

Sometimes, candidates write answers on the question paper when they should be in the answer booklets. Which of the following is incorrect?

• Examiners mark solutions written on the question paper even though they should be in the booklet

• Examiners combine marks for question parts written on both the question paper and answer booklet

• Candidates may write rough working on the question paper

• Examiners ignore the question paper for questions or part questions where there are answers in the answer booklet.

Which of the following is incorrect regarding accuracy of answers?

• All numerical answers should be given exactly or to 3sf unless otherwise specified for A1

• Answers leading to integers should be given as integers for A1

• Fractions should be expressed with integers for A1

• Intermediate values should be shown to 3sf for A1