• We need your support!

    We are currently struggling to cover the operational costs of Xtremepapers, as a result we might have to shut this website down. Please donate if we have helped you and help make a difference in other students' lives!
    Click here to Donate Now (View Announcement)

How are Chemistry, Biology and Physics AS marks calculated?

Messages
192
Reaction score
103
Points
53
In Chemistry, Biology and Physics, there are 3 components, paper 1, 2 and 3.
Paper 1 = 40
Paper 2 = 60
Paper 3 = 40
40 + 60 + 40 = 140

But in grade treshold PDF files available in Xtreme Papers, it says that AS Levels account for 130 marks and A2 account for 130 (which is true with 100 + 30, 2 components), with the total of 260.

I still do wonder how it's calculated, if anyone here can answer, please do.
 
Messages
301
Reaction score
114
Points
53
In Chemistry, Biology and Physics, there are 3 components, paper 1, 2 and 3.
Paper 1 = 40
Paper 2 = 60
Paper 3 = 40
40 + 60 + 40 = 140

But in grade treshold PDF files available in Xtreme Papers, it says that AS Levels account for 130 marks and A2 account for 130 (which is true with 100 + 30, 2 components), with the total of 260.

I still do wonder how it's calculated, if anyone here can answer, please do.

AS papers are ALWAYS graded out of 130. You need to convert the components to marks or percentages, First, you need to convert the total AS level mark into a percentage. For example, if you look at the GT for November 2012 for bio- look at the table below. In the AS level, you need 90/130 - which is 69.2%- to get an A in bio.

Next,you need to refer to the syllabus. Look at the table in page no. 5- http://papers.xtremepapers.com/CIE/Cambridge International A and AS Level/Biology (9700)/9700_y13_sy.pdf
In AS level, here are the weightage for each paper-
p1- 30%
p2-46%
p3- 23%
(30+46+23=100%)

Then you look at the grade components. Let's assume a candidate got 31/40 in p1, 45/60 in p2, and 30/40 in p3. Here's how you change it-
(31/40) * 30= 23..25
(45/60)* 46= 34.5
(30/40)* 23= 17.25

So adding all of them up= 23.25+34.5+17.25= 75%

So we know that you needed 69.2% to get an A in bio, and this candidate got 75%, so he will most certainly get a high A.

Hope that cleared it up. Do tell me if you didn't get it. :p

NOTE- you won't know what were your exact number is in each component. You'll only have a grade. Say you have a B in p1- and in the GT the minimum mark for a B is 25/40- it's always good to assume that you got the lowest possible mark for your paper. It helps you set a higher aim for the A2 components.
 
Top