Descriptive vs Narrative Essays
The IGCSE English First Language exam places a strong emphasis on creative writing, with writing descriptive and narrative essays being
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The marking and grading process of exam papers by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) is a meticulous and standardized procedure designed to ensure fairness, accuracy, and consistency in evaluating student performance.
This guide provides an overview of how exam papers are assessed, from initial marking by examiners to the final grading decisions that determine students’ results. By understanding the key principles and methods employed by CIE, educators, students, and stakeholders can gain insight into how marks are awarded and grades are determined, ensuring confidence in the reliability of the examination system.
*If the video isn’t playing for you, please read below.
Most of the exam scripts are scanned and marked by the examiners on their computers. Other exam scripts are marked manually on paper. For the multiple-choice component, the computer automatically marks the papers.
Cambridge examiners are composed of teachers and subject experts. Their task is to mark the exam scripts at the same standard. This means all the examiners mark according to the mark scheme and they all apply the mark scheme in the same way.
A team of experienced senior examiners mark a sample set of exam scripts based on the mark scheme. They then agree to the marks. These same exam scripts set the standard and will be used by the other examiners to practice marking. This is to make sure that all examiners understand how to mark the same way. For the final part of calibration, they mark another set of scripts as a test. They then begin to start marking all other papers.
The senior examiners review all the markings of every examiner. This is to ensure that they are all marked correctly. If an examiner fails to mark consistently, another examiner remarks the scripts.
CIE uses grade boundaries to convert marks into grades. The grade boundaries are the minimum mark needed to achieve a grade. It considers statistical evidence and expert judgment to agree to grade boundary. It also accounts the slight difference in the level of difficulty every year.
When the grade boundaries are set, it is applied to marks for grading. The senior examiners carry out final checks on the markings and the results are then sent to the schools.
The raw mark is the sum of all the total marks achieved in that component.
The mark found on the candidate’s completed examination script is the raw mark. For example in Syllabus 0620, the candidate’s raw mark in Component 41 is 20 out of the 80 total marks available.
Raw marks are adjusted to ensure fairness and equality. It can be adjusted due to scaling, granting of special consideration or both. Scaling is applied to ensure consistency across the marking process and the different examiners. Special consideration is granted if CIE agrees to an earlier formal request from a Centre. Usually, there is no need to adjust marks and the mark stays as a raw mark.
For example, the candidate’s component 41 raw mark of 20 is adjusted to 21 to reflect the fairness and consistency of marking between examiners.
Compare the component’s raw mark with the component’s grade thresholds. The component grade can be found on the subject syllabus? Grade Threshold.
For example, the candidate’s component 41 adjusted mark is 21, its component grade falls under the grade D threshold.
Calculate the final mark by multiplying each component’s mark by its weighting
factor. Weighting factor is the value assigned by CIE to indicate the level of importance of each component. The component weighting factors can be found here.
Calculate the syllabus total by adding all final marks together. Round up syllabus totals that end in 0.5 to the nearest whole number.
For example, the candidate’s component 41 adjusted mark (21) is multiplied by the component’s weighing factor which in this case is 1.25. This will lead to the candidate’s component 41 final mark of 21 x 1.25 = 26.25.
Consequently, when all the component’s final mark is computed, the candidate’s syllabus total can be calculated by adding it. For example, the candidate?s final marks for each component are 28.5, 26.25 and 20 for Components 21, 41 and 61 respectively. The sum of all of these component marks totals to 74.75. It is then rounded off to the nearest whole number that is 75.
Compare the syllabus total to the overall grade threshold. Make sure that the option code is correct. As the grade thresholds for different options may not be the same.
For example, if the candidate took the combination of Components 21, 41, and 61, the syllabus grade should be compared to Option CX grade threshold. As such if the candidate’s syllabus total is 75, it falls under the Grade D threshold because Grade D threshold are for 71 marks and above. The Grade C threshold is for marks that are 84 and above.
* All info taken from CIE. The above video is made by CIE.
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130 responses
pleasant morning !
for my IGCSE exams l had 2 multiple choice exams, accounting and biology. Candidate details were already pre-printed on the scanner sheets and we had to sign to confirm the details. however, l used 2 different signatures, will l be penalised or will my scanner sheets be rejected?
your help is greatly appreciated.
Im curious about this, for example if (0510) papers, that is listening paper got 27 and the writing, comprehension paper got 51, which are raw marks and if the minumum grade for c is to obtain 85, will i get a c after some adjustments???????
Hello Ryan,
Raw mark is the sum of all total marks achieved in the component. In your case, your raw mark for the Listening component is 27 and 51 for the Reading and Writing component. Usually there is no need to adjust marks, so the adjusted mark is often the same as the raw mark. Scaling is applied to ensure consistency across the marking process and the different examiners used.
However, it is also important to take note that CAIE assigns weighting factor to to indicate the importance of each component. Please kindly read the Step 4 of the article.
Lastly, if your syllabus total meets the minimum number of marks to obtain C, then your syllabus grade will be C.
Thank you so much
Hi Eli,
You are very much welcome.
Hi,
Is grade threshold used for every candidate?
Hello Eli,
Yes, the grade threshold is used for all the candidates.
A grade threshold is the minimum number of marks that a candidate needs to obtain a particular grade in a paper or in a subject.
These thresholds are decided after each examination has been taken and marked. The aim in each year (or examination series) is to set each threshold in just the right place to ensure that it is no more difficult and no less difficult to obtain that grade than it was in the previous year.
For english 0500 are you penalised if you write the wrong format for a dialogue. If so by how much
Hello Denzel,
You will lose writing marks for not using the appropriate format. We suggest that you download the mark scheme here: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-past-exam-papers/. You may also read the Examiner’s Report to understand how examiners mark the papers.
Need more clarification about marking and grading 0500 ( optioned codes : CY /C3 ).
June, 2019 exam grade thresholds are stated as 73 A+ / 64 A/ 55 B/ 47 C. The results we got for our students are :
student 1 achieved grade A+ with 91 ,
student 2 got A with 81 , and
student 3 scored C with 67.
As explained, the marks appeared on certificate is only percentages, and they are not the final marks . However, for components CY/C3 in 0500 , component total mark is also based on 100 marks, and then why did student 2 & 3 score B & C, even though their total marks reached above A+( 73 )and A (64 ) as shown in grade thresholds ?
Hello Khin,
Yes, the number shown in a bracket in your statement of results is your Percentage Uniform Mark. It depends on both the actual total mark for the syllabus and the position of the grade thresholds (which may vary from one exam series to another and from one syllabus to another). It is always calculated out of 100.
It corresponds to the grades available (A*, A, B, C etc.) and gives students additional information about their performance. It is a point on a common scale for all syllabuses to show whether the candidate’s performance is close to the top, middle or bottom of the grade.
For example, a student who gets the minimum mark necessary for a Grade A* obtains a percentage uniform mark of 90. A student who gets a mark halfway between the Grade D threshold and Grade C threshold achieves a percentage uniform mark of 55.
Hope this helps.
Greetings,
I would like to know, are these grade thresholds used for everyone all over the world?
Hello Neo,
Yes, the grade threshold is used for all the candidates.
A grade threshold is the minimum number of marks that a candidate needs to obtain a particular grade in a paper or in a subject.
These thresholds are decided after each examination has been taken and marked. The aim in each year (or examination series) is to set each threshold in just the right place to ensure that it is no more difficult and no less difficult to obtain that grade than it was in the previous year.
When i look at the grade threshold it shows that 65% is A(e.g)
but in the results it shows that 65% is a C(e.g)
How this happens?
Hello Thamilchelvi,
Grade threshold is the minimum number of marks that a candidate needs to obtain a particular grade in a paper or in a subject. It is not in percentage form.
On the other hand, the number shown in a bracket in your statement of results is your Percentage Uniform Mark. It is not the same as the actual total mark that the candidate achieves on the syllabus. This is because the percentage uniform mark depends on both the actual total mark for the syllabus and the position of the grade thresholds (which may vary from one exam series to another and from one syllabus to another). The percentage uniform mark is also different from the actual mark because it is always calculated out of 100.
If you need further clarifications, please do not hesitate to write to us again. Thank you.
Hello, can you please further explain this point. I am confused about grade thresholds, the mark and converting it to a percentage. Thank you
Hello Suasi,
Thank you for writing in.
Basically, the grade threshold is the minimum number of marks that a candidate needs to obtain a particular grade in a paper or in a subject. For example, the minimum mark to achieve A* in Biology (0610) is to score 152 out of the 200 maximum total mark.
On the other hand, the percentage that you can see in your statement of results is your Percentage Uniform Mark. It is not the same as the actual total mark that the candidate achieves on the syllabus. It is a point on a common scale for all syllabuses to show whether the candidate’s performance is close to the top, middle or bottom of the grade.
For example, a student who gets the minimum mark necessary for a Grade A* obtains a percentage uniform mark of 90. A student who gets a mark halfway between the Grade D threshold and Grade C threshold achieves a percentage uniform mark of 55.
We hope this helps. Thank you.
Hi
Would it be possible for Cambridge to increase the amount of space (dotted lines) the put in their business studies as well as Geography and Development Studies papers because the space is so limited yet most of our handwritings may be too big to fit or the answer we have is quite long .
Or could Cambridge rather mark all the work we submit even if it doesn’t fit into the dotted lines and it goes above / under them.
Hello Keatlaretse,
Most of the exam scripts are scanned and marked by the examiners in their computer. There is no penalty for going beyond the lines, however, you are risking your answers not fitting into the scanned screen. If this happens, you will lose marks as the examiners won’t be able to see your full answers.
Alternatively, you may write on the blank pages provided within the answer sheet. Any blank pages that are used by a candidate in the examinations are scanned and marked as long as you properly label it.
If I got 25 marks for component 63 and it’s grade C according to the minimum required raw marks but did well in my other papers and got a final overall mark of 160 which is A* according to the grade threshold will I get a C or an A*?
Hi Nicole,
Each component has its weighting factor. It is the value assigned by CAIE to indicate the importance of each component. This may mean that the other component marks were you did well may have higher weighting factor.
Furthermore, your syllabus grade is the sum of all your component marks. If your syllabus total meets the minimum number of marks to obtain A*, then your syllabus grade will be A*.
Kindly read the article above for more information.
If my component 63 has a raw mark of 26 which falls under the C grade but I did well in the other components and got an overall score of 160 which is A* will my grade be a C or an A*?
Hello Nicole,
Each component has its weighting factor. It is the value assigned by CAIE to indicate the importance of each component. This may mean that the other component marks were you did well may have higher weighting factor.
Furthermore, your syllabus grade is the sum of all your component marks. If your syllabus total meets the minimum number of marks to obtain A*, then your syllabus grade will be A*.
Kindly read the article above for more information.