Which term denotes the categories of performance levels in assessments?

• A. Assessment Criteria
• B. Clear Explanation
• C. Mark Band
• D. Methods of Collecting Crime Statistics

Answer: (C)

Mark band refers to the categories used to describe levels of achievement in an assessment. It groups a student’s marks into defined levels, such as pass, merit, and distinction, showing broadly how well the work meets the required standards. This concept is specifically about the level of attainment, not the specific standards themselves or how the data was gathered.

Assessment criteria, on the other hand, are the standards that describe what evidence is needed at each level; they guide judges on whether particular aspects of the work meet the expected standard. Clear Explanation describes writing quality, not how performance is categorized. Methods of collecting crime statistics relate to data gathering, not how marks are organized into achievement levels.