8886: Planning Mark Criteria

Mark Guide - Skill Area P Planning
mark	strand	candidates...
X		fail to hand in a written plan.
0		written plan is incomplete or hopelessly wrong.
1		plan a simple, but not entirely correct, procedure.
2	P.2a	outline a simple procedure.
3		P4.a or P4.b
4	P.4a	plan to collect evidence which will be valid.
4	P.4b	plan the use of suitable equipment or sources of evidence.
5		P6.a or P6.b
6	P.6a	use scientific knowledge and understanding to plan and communicate a procedure, to identify key factors to vary, control or take into account, and to make a prediction where appropriate.
6	P.6b	decide a suitable extent and range of evidence to be collected.
6 marks is roughly equivalent to a C grade Higher level knowledge must be used to get 7 or 8 marks 8 marks is equivalent to an A grade
7		P8.a or P8.b
8	P.8a	use detailed scientific knowledge and understanding to plan and communicate an appropriate strategy, taking into account the need to produce precise and reliable evidence, and to justify a prediction, when one has been made.
8	P.8b	use relevant information from preliminary work, where appropriate, to inform the plan.

Programme of Study Requirements

Candidates should be taught to:

use scientific knowledge and understanding to turn ideas into a form that can be investigated, and to plan an appropriate strategy;
decide whether to use evidence from first-hand experience or secondary sources;
carry out preliminary work and make predictions, where appropriate;
consider key factors that need to be taken into account when collecting evidence, and how evidence can be collected in contexts in which the variables cannot readily be controlled;
decide the extent and range of data to be collected, and the techniques, equipment and materials to use.