Marking guidance A-level Mathematics (7357) - A-level Further Mathematics (7367)

Oct 20, 2026

Marking guidance for AQA A-level Mathematics (7357) and A-level Further Mathematics (7367) explains how examiner-style marking decisions are made using AQA mark schemes. It outlines how each marking instruction links to an assessment objective (AO) and how evidence should satisfy mathematical principles via professional judgement. The document clarifies typical solutions, how questions are framed as instructions, when full credit can be awarded without working, and how to interpret B1, M1, A1, E1, and R1 mark types.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Marking instructions and assessment objectives

Typical solutions

Answer given or not

Fully justify your answer

Mark types and how to award them

Equations in a given form

Marking guidance A-level Mathematics (7357) A-level Further Mathematics (7367) Introduction Teachers have told us that they would like to learn more about how to mark like an examiner. This document aims to outline the fundamental aspects of the marking process. Our aspiration is that it will facilitate a greater understanding of how to apply an AQA mark scheme and improve confidence in awarding marks accurately. This guidance is supplementary to the standard guidance given in all mark schemes. It supplements additional notes in the AS and A-level Maths Teaching Guidance and the A-level Further Maths Teaching guidance. Version 1.0 April 2024 Marking instructions and assessment objectives The essential feature of any mark scheme is the marking instruction for each mark. Each instruction is linked to the assessment objective (AO) with the AO giving a clear focus for the mark. Marking instructions are usually written to highlight the mathematical principle for which the mark should be awarded, often with evidence that would lead to the award of the mark. We do not try to list all possible evidence and, when in doubt, professional judgement should be used to decide whether the principle of the marking instruction is satisfied by the student’s work. Sometimes a marking instruction simply states the evidence that is required to award the mark. Typical solutions The typical solution is exactly what it says: a typical, correct solution. It is not the only solution. It is not necessarily the best possible or most efficient solution: it is usually a solution that students would give. It is not written side by side with the marking instructions, because that would suggest that all solutions need to follow the given order of the instructions, but they do not. Answer given or not Questions are never written as questions: they are always instructions to do something. They can be broadly categorised into two types: 1. The answer is given and the instruction is, for example,“Show…” or “Prove…” There must be correct work leading to that answer to award marks. When a numerical answer is required, the marking instruction will typically make it clear that an expression which evaluates to give the answer must be shown. 2. No answer is given and the instruction is, for example,“Find…” or “Calculate…” If the correct answer is obtained then full marks should be given, whether there is working or not, unless there is clearly incorrect working leading to that answer and in that case any correct working should be marked appropriately. Fully justify your answer This instruction can appear in questions of either of the two types above. The instruction“Show…” or “Prove…” already indicates the need for working leading to the answer. The “Fully justify…” command indicates the need for some justification or explanation that makes the mathematical argument complete. Mark types and how to award them B1 This requires correct work and is awarded independently of other marks wherever that correct work is found in a solution. If a question is only worth 1 mark this could be a B1 mark with no working required. M1 A method mark requires evidence of correct method, but this does not require work to be free of errors. It is also possible to give an M1 later in a solution, even if earlier M marks have not been obtained. Sometimes the marking instruction for an M1 states “PI” which emphasises evidence which could “possibly imply” the M1 mark. This can happen if there are several approaches to solving a problem and the typical evidence for an M1 could be missing if a student adopts another approach from that stated in the marking instruction. A1 It is not possible to award M0 A1 – if you see an answer that justifies the A1 then you would give the M1 too. An A mark will usually depend on the immediately preceding M mark. Typically, a single A1 mark is paired with an M1, but sometimes more than one A1 mark will be linked

FAQs

How do marking instructions relate to assessment objectives (AOs)?

Each marking instruction corresponds to an assessment objective, and the AO provides the focus for what earns the mark. The instruction highlights the mathematical principle and the evidence that would typically lead to awarding the mark.

When should full marks be awarded if no answer is given?

For instructions such as “Find…” or “Calculate…”, full marks should be awarded if the correct answer is obtained, even without working—unless clearly incorrect working leads to that correct answer, in which case the correct work should receive appropriate marking.

What do B1, M1, A1, E1, and R1 mark types mean?

B1 requires correct work and is independent of other marks. M1 is for evidence of correct method. A1 depends on the immediately preceding M1. E1 is for explanations, often linked to AO2.4, while R1 is for rigorous reasoning and is tied to constructing rigorous mathematical arguments.

Oct 20, 2026

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