GCSE Mathematics Grade Boundaries June 2003

GCSE Mathematics 1387

GCSE Mathematics 1387

Summer 2003GCSE Mathematics

A*ABCDEFG

Paper 5501

62463116

Paper 5502

57412611

Paper 5503

62453015

Paper 5504

5838238

Paper 550573553720

Paper 550660453015

Paper 55074337312622181410

Marks for papers 5501 5506 are each out of 100; marks for coursework (5507) are out of 48.

GCSE Modular Mathematics 1388

Summer 20031388

A*ABCDEFG

Foundation Stage 3/1Paper 5514

3526178

Foundation Stage 3/2Paper 5515

3526178

Intermediate Stage 3/1Paper 5516

3425167

Intermediate Stage 3/2Paper 5517

3425155

Higher Stage 3/1Paper 55183526179

Higher Stage 3/2Paper 55193727178

CourseworkPaper 55074337312622181410

(Marks for papers 5514 5519 are each out of 62; marks for coursework (5507) are out of 48)


March 2003

1388

A*ABCDEFG

Foundation Stage 1Paper 5508

2417103

Intermediate Stage 1Paper 5509

2721135

Higher Stage 1Paper 55103124169


2619137


2922134


(Marks for papers 5508 5513 are each out of 38)


January 2003

1388

A*ABCDEFG


2720136


2922146



2720136


2921123




March 2002

1388

A*ABCDEFG


2821147


2922146




January 2002

1388

A*ABCDEFG


2821159


2821135



The grade boundaries suggested by the awarding committee for GCSE Mathematics were:

UnitA*ABCDEFG

5501/01----62463116

5502/02----57412611

5503/03--62453015--

5504/04--5838238--

5505/0573553720----

5506/0660453015----

5514/14----3526178

5515/15----3526178

5516/16--3425167--

5517/17--3425155--

5518/183526179----

5519/193727178----

These values could not be converted directly to uniform marks since they gave very dramatic changes in the rates of conversion from raw mark to uniform mark just above and just below the highest and lowest grade boundaries within the tier. The adjusted raw marks which were used to determine uniform marks are shown below. These adjusted raw marks more closely resemble the percentages of marks required for the award of notional grades on the uniform mark scale. These are the boundaries that appear on the component mark listings.

UnitA*ABCDEFG

5501/01----84675033

5502/02----84675033

5503/03--88756351--

5504/04--88756351--

5505/0590807060----

5506/0690807060----

5514/14----52413121

5515/15----52413121

5516/16--55473931--

5517/17--55473931--

5518/1856504337----

5519/1956504337----

The reason for making these statistical adjustments is given overleaf.

1387Mathematics A

1388Mathematics B

This is the first year in which the above specifications have been awarded using a uniform mark scale system. On the uniform mark scale, A* is given 90% of the available uniform mark, A 80%, B 70%, C 60%, D 50%, E 40%, F 30% and G 20%.

Normally, the raw component mark boundaries are translated directly on to the uniform mark scale. However, because these specifications are tiered, there are complications because of the limited range of grades that is available for the tier.

When the actual raw mark boundaries were translated on to the uniform mark scale, there were sudden, sharp changes in the rate of exchange of raw mark to uniform mark above and below the boundary mark for the highest and the lowest targeted grade. This meant that candidates were not receiving sufficient credit for achievement above the minimum required for the award of the highest targeted grade. Also, candidates were being severely penalised for failing to achieve the minimum required mark for the award of the lowest targeted grade.

To counteract these effects, it was decided to adjust the raw marks to give a more equitable rate of exchange from raw mark to uniform mark across the whole mark range. In other words, the raw marks were adjusted to fall more closely in line with the percentages of the uniform mark range required for the award of the grade.

This simple statistical procedure has resulted in a more acceptable rate of exchange across the whole of the mark range. There are no sudden and severe changes in the rate of exchange.

The rank order of candidates has not been interfered with. The vast majority of candidates will notice no difference in the grade they have achieved. However, those few candidates just above the maximum grade threshold or just below the minimum grade threshold are now being treated fairly.

A worked example is shown.

1387 Mathematics B Component 5506/06

This is the higher tier Paper 6. Total raw mark for the paper is 100

Raw mark grade boundaries:

GradeMaxA*ABC

Raw Mark10060453015

Adjusted Raw Mark10090807060

Uniform Mark240216192168144

This shows that the maximum raw mark of 100 translates to a uniform mark of 240.

Raw MarkUniform MarkAdjusted Raw Mark

100240100

6021690

4519280

Between a raw mark of 60 (grade A*) and 100 (maximum), two raw marks are needed to gain approximately one uniform mark.

Between a raw mark of 45 (grade A) and 60 (grade A*), one raw mark is needed to gain approximately one and a half uniform marks.

A similar abrupt change in the conversion occurs below grade C. It is these sudden changes in the rate of exchange that have been removed by the statistical adjustment of the raw mark.

If the adjusted raw mark is used, 10 adjusted raw marks always equate to 24 uniform marks.

Dr Jim Sinclair

General Manager, Standards & Awards

Documents

GCSE Mathematics Grade Boundaries June 2003