November 2021 NSC Exam's Marking Guidelines

DBE has recently published the marking guidelines of the above-mentioned examination papers. Hence, it is also available on this website, or on the DBE website where other subjects are also available.

IBP broadcast schedule for term two (Update)

The schedule for regular IBP broadcasts was updated yesterday. Click here to download it.

IBP broadcast schedule for term two

The broadcast schedule for this term's IBP is available.

Click here to download the schedule for the examination preparation broadcasts (green cells) as well as memo discussions (turquois cells).

March 2017 control test: Gr 12 comments

As follow-up on today's memo discussion, here are some comments and further clarification of the marking memorandum.

Something on interpretations of vector and scalar answers
The aim with these questions in this control test was to emphasise that final numerical answers must be interpreted. It could help learners if they make it a habit to interpret answers. However, what do we do with the interpretation when the final numerical answer is not the same as the memo? Let's look at it by using two examples.

Q2.2: If the basic formula is correct, but the learner makes one substitution error, that substitution mark is lost and the mark for the final numerical answer is forfeited (two marks gone). Let's say the learner's final numerical answer is -7 m/s instead of the -2,13 m/s. If the learner's interpretation is now "vf = 7 m/s; west", the mark for the interpretation is given. Although the learner has made a mistake in doing the calculation, the learner can interpret the answer scientifically and for that we want to award him/her. So, this learners gets 2/4.

Q4.2.1: The learner, for example, makes a mistake in the substitution step (mark gone and mark for answer forfeited). Let us say the learner gets vf = -20 m/s. Then the interpretation should be "Speed = 20 m/s" and for that you award the interpretation mark.

The way interpretation marks are awarded might differ from paper to paper, but in this paper the mark for interpretation is basically done in the same way as when we apply "positive marking". However, we do not want to call it positive marking, because the term "positive marking" is actually applicable to one calculation going into another.


Lastly on interpretation: If the interpretation is about a scalar (height, speed) and direction is included in the interpretation, the mark for interpretation is NOT awarded.

Further comments on specific questions are as follows:

Q5.3
Accept Newton's second law of motion in terms of momentum. The mark allocation is as follows: The resultant/net force acting on an object (tick) is equal to the rate of change of momentum of the object (tick) in the direction of the resultant/net force (tick).

Q5.2
If a force diagram is given: Max ¾
Numbers as labels are not accepted.

Q4.3
Upward as negative is not compulsory in Q4.3. An alternative correct graph is as follows:

Q3.3.1
Final memo decision on this one. If a learner answers "-F", ignore the "-" and award the mark. We accept that the learner knows the magnitude is "F". Continue to mark the motivation part, and award marks as indicated in the memo.

Q1.1 
Very unfortunate, we have to accept A & D. Option D slipped into this question. The statement is incorrect, because it is possible to tell what happens with acceleration, momentum and velocity at the highest point. Hence, D must also be accepted as an answer.

Application for marking: NSC December 2017

Applications for marking the above-mentioned is invited currently. The closing date is 28 February 2017. The relevant information and application forms are available here.

Gr 10 September Physical Science Control Test: Comments

Reminder: For more information, read the comments at the bottom as well. If they do not open automatically on your device, click on "... comments" to open them.

Gr 11 September Physical Science Control Test: Comments

Reminder: For more information, read the comments at the bottom as well. If they do not open automatically on your device, click on "... comments" to open them.

Q1.5
Answer is B

Q2.1
A third mark is needed. Add it to the first sentence: "The magnitude ... (Q2)."

Q2.3
Mark the question out of two marks as a unit. Total of question two is then nine and total of paper is then 100.

Q3.2
Award the first mark for the correct shape (meaning field lines spread radially around charge with field lines touching the charge).
Second mark for symmetry (meaning eight equally distributed field lines).
Third mark (as indicated in memo) on direction.

Q3.3
Think of mark allocation as follows:
First mark on the idea that the net field is equal to zero.
Second mark for the formula of electric field (one form or another).
Third mark: We cannot award another mark for the zero. Move this mark to the denominator of the first calculation, i.e. (0,2 - x)square.

Q5.3
Units in answers should be watt.

Q7.1
Here is a correct alternative with mark allocation:

Gr 10 September Technical Science Control Test: Comments

You are welcome to post comments, questions, suggestions, alternatives, etc. about the paper and memorandum. I will ask the examiner to respond to it.

Gr 12 Sept Physical Science Examination P1: Comments

To avoid confusion, the majority of comments were removed, as the questions were addressed during the memo discussion. 

In summary, just the following to emphasize certain answers:

Q1.9: Answer is A (there is no internal resistance drawn in the circuit).

Q3.5: The time axis must move upwards in option 1 so that position is zero at t = 0. In option 2 the time axis must move downwards so that position is zero at t = 0. In both tables for marking criteria, the last row must change to: "Top of cliff not ...".

Gr 12 September Physical Science Examination P2: Comments

Teachers, for your convenience, you can download an updated memo for chemistry here.

Gr 12 September Physical Science Practical Task: Comments

You are welcome to post comments, questions, suggestions, alternatives, etc. about the paper and memorandum. I will ask the examiner to respond to it.

IBP memo broadcasts and cluster marking: Grade 12 September 2016 examination

The IBP broadcasts of the grade 12 September examination memoranda will DV be as follows:

Physics (P1): 19 September from 13:00 to 15:00
Chemistry (P2): 20 September from 13:00 to 15:00

Cluster marking and moderation will take place after the broadcasts until 16:30.

Please attend at any of the following IBP centres nearest to you (Name of person in charge is in brackets):

Akademia (Mr Sello)
Aramela (Miss Motau or Mr Leeuw if Miss Motau is not available)
Concordia (Mrs van den Heever)
DTDC (ERC) (Mr Nkone)
Iphateleng (Mr Hlwempu)
Kheleng (Mr Mabitse)
LA Wesi (Mr Moremi)
Leseding (Miss Motaung)
Mamello (Mr NS Mofokeng)
Oziel Selele (Mr Nzunga)
Rainbow (Mr TN Moreki)
Rearabetswe (Mrs Moahludi)

Gr 11 June physical science exam: Comments

You are welcome to post comments, questions, suggestions, alternatives, etc. about today's paper and memorandum in this space. I will ask the examiners to respond to it.

***  New information  ***
Q.10.3
The missing mark should be for plotting co-ordinates three and four.

***  Previous information  ***

Q5.4
Correct alternative for the reason:

• According to n = c/v (mark)
• the speed of light is inversely proportional
• to the refractive index, (mark)
• because c (speed of light) is constant. (mark)

June practical tasks: Comments

You are welcome to post comments, questions, suggestions, alternatives, etc. about today's papers and memoranda for all the practical tasks in grades 12, 11 and 10. I will ask the examiners to respond to it.

*** New info ***

Grade 10 practical task Q3.1

Interpret the marking criteria as follows for 1 and 2:

• If any three co-ordinates are plotted correctly; give the first mark for plotting.
• (1): A second mark is given for plotting if a further two co-ordinates (total of five by now) are plotted correctly.
• (2): A third mark is given for plotting if another two co-ordinates (seven in total by now) are plotted correctly.

Interpret the marking of 3 as follows:

• If learners put volume on the y-axis and temperature on the x-axis, they forfeit the first mark mentioned in the marking criteria, but if they draw the graph correctly from their plotted co-ordinates, they get the last mark. 
• For swapped axes and correctly plotted co-ordinates, the graph should be a more or less straight line that curves upwards at the end.

Grade 11 practical task Q1.12

• The graph in the memorandum is incorrect.
• The correct graph (see picture below) should display critical angle versus material according to the question. That implies that each critical angle should be calculated.
• This graph is more complicated than originally intended for the balance of the question paper. You therefore have permission to ignore this answer and to mark the paper out of 35 if necessary.
• Please make a note of this correction in your memorandum for future reference.

Gr 10 June physical science exam: Comments

You are welcome to post comments, questions, suggestions, alternatives, etc. about today's paper and memorandum in this space. I will ask the examiners to respond to it.

*** New information ***

Q2.1.1

• Scratch "granite counter top". Granite is a heterogeneous mixture.
• Add "paper clip". If a paper clip is made of an alloy such as steel wire, it is a heterogeneous mixture.

Q2.1.2

• Add "granite counter top" here.

Q2.1.4

• Keep "paper clip" here. If it is made of copper, it is fine here. Hence, two answers must be accepted for paper clip.

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Gr 12 June physical science exam (P2): Comments

You are welcome to post comments, questions, suggestions, alternatives, etc. about today's paper and memorandum in this space. I will ask the examiners to respond to it.

*** New info ***

Question 5.3
Question: "Do we penalise if the zero(s) is/are not shown?"
Answer: "No. Based on the rule that non-inclusion of zeros into correct formulae are not penalised, you can accept 15 divided by 60 as correct substitution."

Question 8.2.1
Question: "Can I accept "... forms hydroxide ions ..."?
Answer: "Yes"

Question 8.2.4
Question: "May I accept a final answer of 0,01 dm3?"
Answer: "Yes. Rounding off to a minimum of two decimal places is allowed."

Gr 12 June physical science exam (P1): Comments

You are welcome to post comments, questions, suggestions, alternatives, etc. about today's paper and memorandum in this space. I will ask the examiners to respond to it.

*** New information ***
Question 8.6.2: The question counts two marks. Replace the single tick on the memo with two ticks. They are marked as a unit; two or zero.

Here are the extra options discussed during the IBP session.

Gr 10 June technical science exam: Comments

You are welcome to post comments, questions, suggestions, alternatives, etc. about today's paper and memorandum in this space. I will ask the examiners to respond to it.

IBP June memo broadcasts and cluster marking: Grade 12

The IBP broadcasts of the grade 12 June examination memoranda will DV be as follows:

• Physics (P1): 13 June 2016 from 12:00 to 14:00
• Chemistry (P2): 14 June from 12:00 to 14:00

Cluster marking and moderation are scheduled from 14:00 to 16:00. Arrangements were emailed to all teachers and principals.

Please attend at any of the following IBP centres nearest to you (Name of person in charge is in brackets):

• Akademia (Mr Sello)
• Aramela (Miss Motau or Mr Leeuw if Miss Motau is not available)
• Concordia (Mrs van den Heever)
• DTDC (ERC) (Mr Nkone)
• Iphateleng (Mr Hlwempu)
• Kheleng (Mr Mabitse)
• LA Wesi (Mr Moremi)
• Leseding (Miss Motaung)
• Mamello (Mr NS Mofokeng)
• Oziel Selele (Mr Nzunga)
• Rainbow (Mr TN Moreki)
• Rearabetswe (Mrs Moahludi)