N7 Question & Mark Scheme Creation Guide
A guide for teachers and content developers
Elements
Code Blocks
Code blocks are suitable for the following content:
- Code / pseudo-code
- ASCII TABLES
- ASCII or other character based graphics
For example
+---------------------------------------+
| Results |
+-------------+-------------------------+
| | Contestant |
| Competition +-------+--------+--------+
| | John | Andrea | Robert |
+-------------+-------+--------+--------+
| Swimming | 1:30 | 2:05 | 1:15 |
+-------------+-------+--------+--------+
| Running | 15:30 | 14:10 | 15:45 |
+-------------+-------+--------+--------+
Pseudocode
Before sharing your pseudocode question markschemes:
- Check your logic by writing and running pseudocode solutions in a programming language of your choice
- If any errors are discovered, fix your code and amend your pseudocode accordingly
For example, the following pseudocode copies all distinct city names from a collection called CITIES and into an array called LIST
COUNT = 0
loop while CITIES.hasNext()
CITY = CITIES.getNext()
FOUND = false
loop INDEX from 0 to COUNT - 1
if DATA = LIST[INDEX] then
FOUND = true
end if
end loop
if FOUND = false then
LIST[COUNT] = DATA
COUNT = COUNT + 1
end if
end loop
Functions, methods & procedures
Functions
Use the pseudocode function key word only when, by definition, values / objects are explicitly returned. For example:
function largestValue(a, b)
largest = b
if a > b
largest = a
end if
return largest
end function
Methods
Use the pseudocode method key word only when functions belong to Classes. For example:
class number
number = a // an instance variable
method largestValue(b)
if this.number > b
largest = this.number
else
largest = b
return largest
end method
Procedures
Use the pseudocode procedure key word only when a "function" does not return any values / objects (though may affect items in a global scope). For example:
largest = 0
procedure largestValue(a, b)
largest = b
if a > b
largest = a
end if
end procedure
Meaningful variable names
To model good coding practices, even in pseudocode use appropriately meaningful varible names
Atomic Terms
| Command Term | Appropriate Response | | ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Calculate | determine a numerical result from facts, figures or information (show workings) | | Comment | provide an informed judgement / opinion / review | | Construct | make a diagrammatic or logical / coded representation | | Define | give an accurate and complete definition | | Demonstrate | show how and / or provide an example | | Develop | elaborate on / build upon / advance | | Identify | name / select / recognise | | Sketch | make a simple freehand drawing showing key / essential elements |
Composite Terms
| Command Term | Appropriate Response | | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Analyse / Examine | DESCRIBE and DISCUSS | | Assess / Evaluate | DESCRIBE, DISCUSS and COMMENT (focus discussion and comments on criteria as per context) | | Compare | DESCRIBE, DISCUSS and COMMENT on similarities | | Contrast | DESCRIBE, DISCUSS and COMMENT on differences | | Describe / Outline | IDENTIFY and DEVELOP key concept characteristics | | Discuss | IDENTIFY and DEVELOP how key concepts relate to both each other and their context | | Explain | DESCRIBE why and/or how (support your explanation with evidence / reason) | | Justify | DESCRIBE, DISCUSS and COMMENT to justify a position (support your arguments with evidence / reason) | | Predict | DESCRIBE, DISCUSS and COMMENT to predict an outcome (support your prediction with evidence / reason) | | State | DESCRIBE in clear terms | | Suggest | DESCRIBE, DISCUSS and COMMENT to make a suggestion (support your proposal with evidence / reason) | | Summarise | IDENTIFY and DEVELOP essential elements / main points (omit detail) |
A note on Copare vs. Contrast
Be sure to use the correct term
Languague & Grammar
American or British English
N7 Education have opted to use Brish English / spelling
Metric (rather than imperial) units
Full stops
Full stops at the end of setances, except where mark scheme example lines correspond to one mark - these should end in a semi colon
Identify FALSITY bias
For multple choice questions, strongly preference a falsy bias. That is, have students identify the false statement rather than the true one in order to expose students to more truthful statements to support learning