HOW NECO EXAMINERS MARK YOUR MATHEMATICS THEORY ANSWER SCRIPTS

TO BE INTERPRETED OR USED BY TUTORS IN MAKING MATHS FRIENDLIER TO THEIR STUDENTS

1.INTRODUCTION
Many students can pass Mathematics if they understand how NECO examiners mark their papers and if their tutors show them the way practically by marking their scripts same way during school tests. Unfortunately many tutors fail to understand the importance of the-6-step-formula and maths-etiquette to be observed as stated in detail below.

2. HOW NECO EXAMINERS AWARD MARKS

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FINAL MARKING SCHEME

1.DISTRIBUTION OF MARKS

There are two parts in this paper. Parts I and II

Each of the questions in Part I carries 8 marks while each question in Part II carries 12 marks. The five questions in part I carry 40 marks and the five questions to be answer by the candidate in Part II sum up to 60 marks.

The grand total for this paper is, therefore, 100 marks.

2.TYPES OF MARKS

Three types of marks are awarded during the process of marking the answer scripts.

Method marks (M) are given for the use of correct method. The correct method should lead to the correct answer if numerical errors or miscalculation are not committed.
Accuracy marks (A) are earned when the answer is correct as given in the marking scheme. When the method mark is zero, the immediate accuracy marks are also lost.
Bonus marks (B) are awarded for correct accuracy, marks are not preceded by method marks. Bonus marks combine both method and accuracy marks together.Follow through bonus marks (B) are awarded in special situations where the candidate’s wrong values are used correctly in the subsequent working. E.g. plotting of the candidate’s wrong values correctly in drawing a graph.

NOTE: The M. A. and B marks cannot be split or subdivided. E.g. where an M1 mark is allocated the candidate either scores the M1 fully (if the method is correct) or M0 (when the method is wrong). The same applies to the A and B marks.

3.PENALTIES

Marks are deducted from the candidates work as follows:

Deduct 1 mark for wrong units (W.U) or omitted units (O.U) once only in a question.
Deduct 1 mark from wrong reasons (W.R) or omitted reasons (O.R) in geometric proofs once only in a question.
Deduct 2 marks for misreading (MR) the data in a question. (If the misread values are used correctly in the subsequent calculation).
Deduct 1 mark for premature approximation which does not make the subsequent working considerably easier.
Deduct 1 mark for the omission of an essential working step.

NOTE:

(i) Marks can only be deducted from accuracy and bonus marks and not from method marks.

(ii) Certain deductions are specifically stated in some questions in the marking scheme E.g ½ mark for each error or 1 mark for each error.

(iii) Award zero mark if candidate’s work is not clearly presented or indecipherable.

(iv) Award zero mark if working is totally suppressed.

4.OTHER POINTS TO NOTE

(i). Where a candidate attempts more than five questions in section B, mark the entire candidate’s work and delete marks for the extra marks for the extra questions with the lowest marks. Write MQA – More Questions Answered in front of each deleted mark.

(ii). All further workings which appears beyond the first appearance of the correct answer should be ignored.

(iii). The marking scheme contains some alternative methods (Aliter) in some questions. Other correct equivalent methods which are not included in the marking should be accepted and the corresponding M. A and B marks should be awarded.

(1v) Do not round up individual question total (where ½ marks are awarded). It is the final total mark (on 100) that should be rounded up to the nearest whole number)