A2009/008 - 27 March 2009

Assessment Format Change for 2009

The 2009 Assessment Specifications advised the change in the format of questions in the examination papers for Biology and Human Biology 2009:

Within each paper all questions will provide opportunity for all grades of performance - achievement, achievement with merit, and achievement with excellence; there are no stand-alone questions for lower achievement grades. Candidates should attempt all questions.

Please note that the key change relates to marking, with one judgment applied to the evidence from a question, to determine a single grade of N, A, M or E. Examples of possible question formats to be used in 2009 can be found in the following past papers:

1. Single-item questions, for example:
   2008 Human Biology Level 1 90177, Question Four
   2006 Biology Level 1 90167, Question Four
   2006 Biology Level 2 90461, Question Four
   
   
2. Single-item questions with scaffolding/guidance, for example:
   2008 Biology Level 2 90459, Question Three
   2007 Level 1 Human Biology 90176, Question Three
   2006 Biology Level 1 90168, Question Four
   
   
3. Multiple-section question (e.g. parts a, b and c), with a single judgment made across the evidence from all parts. Question examples include:
   2008 Level 1 Biology 90163, Question Two
   2008 Level 2 Biology 90464, Question Two
   2008 Level 3 Biology 90716, Question Two

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Previous circulars

• 007 - 27 March 2009 - Assessment Format Change for 2009
• 006 - 27 March 2009 - Moderation of Te Reo Maori and Te Reo Rangatira Korero achievement and unit standards
• 005 - 13 March 2009 - Use of Te Reo Māori in External Assessment
• 004 - 13 March 2009 - National Certificate in Business Level 3
• 003 - 9 February 2009 - Education for Sustainability
• 002 - 30 January 2009 - Education for Sustainability
• 001 - 9 January 2009 - Reconsideration process for externally assessed NCEA Level 3 and NZ Scholarship Visual Arts

archive of previous circulars