Below are examples of essay questions from the past exam papers with mark schemes and examiners reports. Read through the essays and reports to get an idea of the requirements to reach the high mark band.
This is an example of the different mark bands for an essay question. These mark band descriptions will vary depending on the essay question but the structure will generally stay the same.
Student identifies the ways that a few of these crimes are committed. Legislation or regulations may not be mentioned The student has used a form and style of writing which is barely appropriate for its purpose. The student has expressed simple ideas clearly, but may be imprecise and awkward in dealing with complex or subtle concepts. Information or arguments may be of doubtful relevance or be obscurely presented. Errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar may be noticeable and intrusive to understanding, suggesting weaknesses in these areas. Text is barely legible.
0 - 5 marks
Student outlines the ways that some of these crimes can be committed using ICT. Legislation or regulations are mentioned but may be unconnected. Some understanding of them is demonstrated. The student has used a form and style of writing which is sometimes appropriate for its purpose but with many deficiencies. The student has expressed straightforward ideas clearly, if not always fluently. Sentences and paragraphs may not always be well-connected.
Information or arguments may sometimes stray from the point of information or may be weakly presented. There may be some errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar, but not such as to cause problems in the reader's understanding and not such as to suggest a weakness in these areas. Text is legible.
6 - 10 marks
Student describes the ways these crimes can be committed using ICT mentioning related legislation and regulations, demonstrating a good understanding of them. Meaning is clear. The student has in the main used a form and style of writing appropriate for its purpose, with only occasional lapses.
The student has expressed moderately complex ideas clearly and reasonably fluently. Student has used well-linked sentences and paragraphs. Information or arguments are generally relevant and well structured. There may be occasional errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar. Text is legible.
11 - 15 marks
Student provides an in depth discussion of the changes and the different ways that these crimes can be committed using ICT, clearly relating them to current legislation and regulations, demonstrating an excellent understanding of them.
Meaning is clear. The student has selected and used a form and style of writing appropriate to purpose and has expressed complex ideas clearly and fluently.
Sentences and paragraphs follow on from one another clearly and coherently.
Specialist vocabulary has been used appropriately. There are few if any errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar. Text is legible.
16 - 20 marks