What are Mark Bands?

• A. Standards for assessing learner performance nationally
• B. Tools used for moderation scheduling
• C. Confirm authenticity of evidence
• D. Criteria ensuring tasks meet standards

Answer: (B)

Mark bands are the levels of achievement used in marking schemes. They provide a shared scale that describes what different grades of performance look like, so markers can judge work consistently. This common framework is essential for moderation, allowing different markers to apply the same criteria and arrive at comparable marks, which supports fairness across assessments. They map directly to the standards the assessment aims to meet, signalling what evidence is needed for each level. They aren’t scheduling tools, nor are they about verifying evidence authenticity or designing tasks themselves; their purpose is to define performance levels and guide the marking process.