How is the quality of written communication (QWC) assessed?
Each examination paper allocates four out of the 90 available marks for QWC. These marks are not allocated to any particular question(s); the marks are awarded for the overall quality of the written communication throughout the answers, but particularly to answers to questions which require or permit the use of extended prose rather than short answers. The most common failings by students in QWC are poor spelling and grammar. In particular, the use of slang or spelling which is more appropriate to text-messaging will result in few of these marks being awarded. Markers are always sympathetic and they appreciate the pressures on students of sitting an examination, but it is important that the writing is legible. At AS level, it is also important to use the answer spaces provided.
