The legal system and criminal law - H415/01 - Mark Scheme for Autumn 2021

Sep 26, 2026

Advanced GCE Law H415/01 marking guidance for Autumn 2021, setting out how examiners should apply the mark scheme when awarding marks. It explains subject-specific marking instructions, the examiner’s initial task to become familiar with specification, question papers, assessment objectives, and administrative procedures. It details how indicative content supports applying band descriptors, emphasises rewarding alternative correct answers, and clarifies the three assessment objectives and the equal weighting of AO2 elements: applying legal rules to scenarios and presenting a legal argument with appropriate terminology.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages35

Reading Time1 h 28 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Information and instructions for examiners

Using the Mark Scheme

Assessment Objectives

AO1, AO2 and AO3

AO2 elements and weighting

GCE Law H415/01 : The legal system and criminal law Advanced GCE Mark Scheme for Autumn 2021 OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA) is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of qualifications to meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications include AS/A Levels, Diplomas, GCSEs, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, Functional Skills, Key Skills, Entry Level qualifications, NVQs and vocational qualifications in areas such as IT, business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills. It is also responsible for developing new specifications to meet national requirements and the needs of students and teachers. OCR is a not-for-profit organisation; any surplus made is invested back into the establishment to help towards the development of qualifications and support, which keep pace with the changing needs of today’s society. This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and students, to indicate the requirements of the examination. It shows the basis on which marks were awarded by examiners. It does not indicate the details of the discussions which took place at an examiners’ meeting before marking commenced. All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills demonstrated. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the published question papers and the report on the examination. © OCR 2021 Annotations 12. Subject Specific Marking Instructions SUBJECT–SPECIFIC MARKING INSTRUCTIONS Introduction Your first task as an Examiner is to become thoroughly familiar with the material on which the examination depends . You should ensure that you have copies of these materials: • the specification, especially the assessment objectives • the question paper and its rubrics • the mark scheme. You should ensure also that you are familiar with the administrative procedures related to the marking process . These are set out in the OCR booklet Instructions for Examiners. If you are examining for the first time, please read carefully Appendix 5 Introduction to Script Marking: Notes for New Examiners. Please ask for help or guidance whenever you need it. Your first point of contact is your Team Leader. Information and instructions for examiners The co-ordination scripts provide you with examples of the standard of each band . The marks awarded for these scripts will have been agreed by the Team Leaders and will be discussed fully at the Examiners’ Co-ordination Meeting . The specific task-related indicative content for each question will help you to understand how the band descriptors may be applied . However, this indicative content does not constitute the mark scheme: it is material that candidates might use, grouped according to each assessment objective tested by the question. It is hoped that candidates will respond to questions in a variety of ways . Rigid demands for ‘what must be a good answer’ would lead to a distorted assessment. Candidates’ answers must be relevant to the question. Beware of prepared answers that do not show the candidate’s thought and which have not been adapted to the thrust of the question. Beware also of answers where candidates attempt to reproduce interpretations and concepts that they have been taught but have only partially understood . Using the Mark Scheme Please study this Mark Scheme carefully. The Mark Scheme is an integral part of the process that begins with the setting of the question paper and ends with the awarding of grades . Question papers and Mark Schemes are developed in association with each other so that issues of differentiation and positive achievement can be addressed from the very start. This Mark Scheme is a working document; it is not exhaustive; it does not provide ‘correct’ answers . The Mark Scheme can only provide ‘best guesses’about how t

FAQs

What should examiners do first before marking begins?

Examiners must become thoroughly familiar with the specification (including assessment objectives), the question paper and rubrics, and the mark scheme, as well as the administrative procedures in OCR’s Instructions for Examiners.

How does the mark scheme treat alternative correct answers or unexpected approaches?

Examiners are instructed to award marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills demonstrated, even when answers differ from expected approaches.

What are the three assessment objectives assessed in the questions?

AO1 tests knowledge and understanding of the English legal system and legal rules and principles. AO2 applies legal rules to scenarios and presents a legal argument using appropriate terminology. AO3 analyses and evaluates legal rules, principles, and concepts.

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by BigDaveOnline