E-I

E. Protocols

For the Preliminary Examination, each paper should be set by a moderator (or assessor) and checked by another, the whole paper being reviewed and approved by the whole examining board. Moderators and assessors are reminded of the need for security of examination papers. Examinations papers must be passed via the Academic Administration Office either in person, by hand or via the secure SharePoint Online site only.

F. Model Solutions

Those setting questions are asked to provide complete model solutions, annotated so as to indicate what is considered bookwork and standard material, what has been seen before on problem sheets and what is considered to be new and unseen, and with a draft marking scheme for the approval of the moderators; the solution, with additional comments, should also make clear how much of the question is accessible to less strong candidates.

Those setting questions should be aware that solutions may be released to students in the future. 

G. Aims of Marking Schemes

Marking schemes for the questions should aim to ensure that the following qualitative criteria hold:

16--20 marks: A completely, or almost completely, correct answer, showing excellent understanding of the concepts and skill in carrying through the arguments and/or calculations; minor slips or omissions only.
11--15 marks: A good though not complete answer, showing understanding of the concepts and competence in handling the arguments and/or calculations, and some evidence of problem-solving ability. Such an answer might consist of an excellent answer to a substantial part of the question, or a good answer to the whole question which nevertheless shows some flaws in calculation or in understanding or in both.
6--10 marks: Standard material has been substantially and correctly answered with some possible minor progress on to other parts of the question.
0--5 marks: Some progress has been made with elementary, accessible material.

Assessors should classify the parts of each question under the headings: 

B: bookwork/routine material: either explicitly seen before, or easily synthesized from such.
S: similar to material seen before.
N: new, demanding good command of concepts and/or methods.

H. Approval of Marking Schemes

The marking schemes are approved by the moderators alongside the papers. 

I. Attendance at Examinations

Attendance of Assessors will not be possible in the examination. If a candidate believes there is an error in the examination paper, they should state their assumption of the exam question within their exam script. This will then enable the Exam Board to investigate and if necessary take the error into consideration in the normal way.