Spelling, punctuation and grammar marks
Information about the assessment of spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG).
When SPaG is assessed separately
SPaG is assessed separately in externally assessed units in GCSE Geography, History and Religious Studies.
AO4 is used for GCSE English Literature and AO6 for GCSE English Language, where candidates 'must use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation'.
This applies to all students taking these exams including those with special educational needs, dyslexia and disabilities such as a visual or hearing impairment.
Assessing SPaG when students use a scribe or word processor
Students using a scribe or word processor can access some, or all, of the marks available for SPaG provided there is sufficient evidence that it is their work. The JCQ scribe cover sheet attached to their scripts must show what was dictated or which facilities were disabled on the word processor.
Students using a scribe can access marks for SPaG as follows.
- Students who dictate their answers are eligible for marks awarded for grammar. This is a third of the total marks awarded for SPaG.
- Students who dictate their answers and indicate punctuation are eligible for marks awarded for punctuation and grammar. This is two thirds of the total marks awarded for SPaG. The cover sheet must indicate that both punctuation and grammar were dictated.
- Students who dictate their answers, indicate punctuation and spell out every word are eligible for all SPaG marks. The cover sheet must indicate that spelling, punctuation and grammar were dictated.