Hi there, Would it be correct to say that you need 5 distinct valid points to score full marks in the 5 mark questions? In questions with the word 'discuss' would you need to discuss each of the 5 distinct points to get full marks, or could there be potential for full marks if you give less than 5 distinct answers but explain and evaluate each one of them effectively. Also, if you give answers that aren't specifically in the examiners' report, or answers that aren't necessarily in the core reading, but still answer the question fully (in the opinion of the marking examiner) will credit be given? (These 5 markers are giving me some grief - sometimes it can be difficult to think of 5 points for each question!) Cheers.
It is true that each point on the examiners marking schedule gets a full mark these days. Whether this means 5 distinct points is not as clear. Sometimes the examiner will have 5 (or more) distinct points on the schedule and each point will gain a mark. Sometimes one idea can score more than one mark. For example, "why do we have accounts audited?" One idea is so that shareholders can have confidence in the numbers (1 mark). But this point will be expanded by saying that shareholders buy and sell shares in the stockmarket that they have not fully researched, so they need someone else to ensure them that the company is being run correctly, so that they can have confidence when buying. This is another mark, but is linked to the first one. So it may be 3 or 4 ideas, some of which are expanded and described. If you give an answer that is not on the schedule, there is some scope for the markers to award marks, but you will not get too many of these. The schedule gives the main ideas that would score marks.
Firstly congratulations on finding questions that are giving you grief. It's important that you don't fear them. Study these questions carefully and see why you don't score well. With discuss you do need a bit more expansion than the instruction, state or give so many points. But don't go overboard so that you evaluate at length just 2 points as if he instruction is explain. Also if you haven't 5 points don't simply paraphrase one. That wastes time and will not score again. You are right - in the main it's. Full mark per point or nothing. target at least 5 separate points. You may get half mark for the point but the full mark for expanding on it eg say why it's a pro or con or both sides to a scenario. So definitely don't lapse into a scatter gun list. If you are stuck for inspiration take a breath and reread the question to look for clues. But it is only 5 marks. Better to score 3 move on and finish the paper rather than procrastinate indefinitely and run out of time - there are other questions where you will pick up marks quickly as the first few in any question are always easier than the last one or two. Leave white space in case inspiration strikes then you can neatly fit it in later.
Thanks for enlightening responses. My plan is to try to broaden my answer base for each question, and make sure my knowledge of the core reading is as good as it's going to get. Fingers crossed! Appreciate the help though - 5/5!
