Mark Scheme Breakdown

Confused by levels, AOs, and mark band waffle? You’re not alone. Understanding the mark scheme is one of the fastest ways to boost your grade. This guide breaks it all down—so you can write exactly what examiners want to see. Want ready-made Grade 9 essay plans and quote banks? Head over to the Products Page now!

What Are the AOs (Assessment Objectives)?

These are the skills the examiner marks you on—think of them like the ingredients to a top-grade essay.

• AO1 (12 marks) – Your argument + quotes
• AO2 (12 marks) – Language, form, structure analysis
• AO3 (6 marks) – Contextual understanding
• AO4 (4 marks) – SPaG (spelling, punctuation, grammar) – only for Section A

That’s a total of 30 marks per question (plus 4 bonus marks for technical accuracy in the first question).

 

Level 6 = Grade 8–9: Critical, Conceptual, Confident

This is the top level—what most students think is "impossible" (it’s not).

What it looks like:

• You go beyond the obvious
  
• You explore deeper meanings or alternative interpretations
  
• Your quotes are precise and used naturally
  
• You analyse language/form/structure in detail
  
• Context is cleverly woven in, not just tacked on

Example: Exploring Lady Macbeth’s fragmented syntax to show mental decline and linking it to Jacobean fears about female power.

 

Level 5 = Grade 7–8: Thoughtful and Developed

Still high marks—just a little less critical than Level 6.

What it looks like:

• You explain writer’s methods with good insight
  
• You support your points with apt quotes
  
• You use subject terminology effectively
  
• You consider context thoughtfully, maybe even alternative readings

Example: Analysing the imagery in Portia’s “mercy” speech and linking it to Christian values vs. justice in Elizabethan England.

 

Level 4 = Grade 6–7: Clear and Sustained

Solid answers that are well-explained and clearly structured.

What it looks like:

• You stick to the question
  
• Your points are backed with textual evidence
  
• You use some technical vocabulary
  
• Context is included—but may not be deeply developed

Example: Explaining Scrooge’s redemption in A Christmas Carol and linking it to Victorian class divide.

 

Level 3 = Grade 4–5: Some Analysis, Mostly Description

You’re getting somewhere—but still need more analysis.

What it looks like:

• Basic understanding of the text
  
• You describe the plot with some relevant quotes
  
• You name techniques but don’t explore them much
  
• Context is basic or general

Example: Saying “Romeo and Juliet die because their families are fighting” and quoting “I hate the word, as I hate hell.”

 

Level 2 = Grade 3: Relevant, But Limited

The response makes some sense—but it lacks structure, detail, and depth.

What it looks like:

• You make some relevant comments
  
• Quotes are short and sometimes vague
  
• You may spot a metaphor but not say why it’s used
  
• Context is minimal

Example: Saying “Lady Macbeth is scary” and quoting “unsex me here” without exploring the meaning.

 

Level 1 = Grade 1–2: Basic or Incomplete

Still trying—but with very little analysis or reference to the question.

What it looks like:

• You make simple points like “Macbeth is evil”
  
• Quotes are missing, misused, or paraphrased
  
• No real analysis or understanding of context

Example: Writing “Shakespeare wrote Macbeth a long time ago. It’s about a king.”

 

Bonus: Quick Tips to Stay Grounded During the Exam

• Don’t rush the opening minute—breathe and read the question twice
• Underline keywords in the question
• Stick to your timings—don’t let one question eat up all your time
• Write something—even a short paragraph with a quote is better than a blank page
• Move on if stuck—come back later with a clearer head

 

AO4 (SPaG) – Only for Section A

You get up to 4 marks here based on how well you write:

• 4 marks: No mistakes, fluent style, impressive vocabulary
• 3 marks: Mostly accurate, some ambitious language
• 2 marks: Some errors, but meaning is clear
• 1 mark: Frequent errors, but still readable

Top tip: Want full marks for AO4? Practise writing intros and conclusions under timed conditions—and always proofread!

 

Key Differences Between High and Low Levels

Feature	Levels 4–6 Response	Levels 1–3 Response
Response	Conceptual, confident, structured	Basic, descriptive, unfocused
Quotes	Precise, embedded, well-chosen	General, paraphrased, or missing
Analysis	Focused on effects, deep meaning	Names techniques, little depth
Context	Thoughtful links, relevant ideas	Vague or bolt-on facts

You Don’t Need to Be a Genius—Just Strategic

The mark scheme isn’t about “sounding fancy”—it’s about:

• Sticking to the question
• Picking strong quotes
• Explaining techniques
• Linking to context naturally

Work your way up one level at a time—and you’ll get there.

 

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P.S. Struggling with analysis or quotes? Our text-specific cheat sheets break down An Inspector Calls, A Christmas Carol, and more into Grade 9-ready notes.

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