An evaluation/judgement is a ‘clinching’ argument which builds on a statement of preference or an assertion/ opinion which is supported/justified with some additional reasoning based on the evidence (relevant and accurate contextual knowledge) already provided in the answer. An evaluation/judgement is not a statement of preference or a straightforward assertion only, or a repetition of what has already been written or stated.
In Q1d L5, there is one mark available for an explanation at the top of Level 4 with an evaluation/judgement supported by relevant and accurate contextual knowledge [10 marks]. To gain the evaluation mark a response must have already obtained 9 marks by producing an argument addressing both sides of the issue in answer to the question, and then give an opinion/preference that clearly addresses the question and is supported by some additional reasoning based on evidence already given in their response. Comments on marks awarded are in red italics.
In the optional Q2-5c there are now up to two marks available in L5. This is described in Table 2 of the mark scheme. To gain the evaluation mark(s) a response must have already obtained 12 marks by producing an argument addressing both sides of the issue in answer to the question, and then give an opinion/preference that clearly addresses the question and is supported by some additional reasoning based on evidence already given in their response. An answer will be awarded L5 13 marks if the additional reasoning in the evaluation/judgement supporting the opinion/preference is simple and 14 marks if this reasoning is more developed. Comments on marks awarded are in red italics.
An example of a (simple) evaluation/judgement for an optional part c question using a response written by a candidate is given below:
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Q2c: ‘The “Two-Nation” Theory was Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s main contribution to the development of the Pakistan Movement during the nineteenth century.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
[this candidate obtained 12 marks for their explanation that preceded this evaluation]
To conclude, it can be said that Sir Syed’s ‘Two Nation Theory’ was his most important contribution as it became the policy of the League during the Pakistan Movement. Therefore, Sir Syed was known as ‘the Father of the ideology of Pakistan’ (L5).
13 marks
Having already reached the top of L4, this response gave a (simple) evaluation/judgement about the contribution of the ‘Two Nation Theory’. The opinion/preference given was supported by some simple additional reasoning based upon the relevant contextual knowledge already given in the main body of the answer and did not repeat arguments made previously. Therefore one of the available evaluation/judgement marks, L5/13 is credited in this response.
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An example of a developed evaluation/judgement for an optional part c question using a response written by a candidate is given below:
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Q3c: To what extent was Direct Action Day more significant in the creation of Pakistan than other key events of the 1940s? Explain your answer.
Thus, it can be concluded that the efforts of Muslims in Direct Action Day were extremely significant to the emergence of Pakistan as it pressurised and forced the British to an extent that they had no choice but to partition India to avoid Civil War (L5). Muslim groups had now shown their numerical strength and unity in action as well as at the ballot box during the 1945/6 elections (L5).
14 marks
Having already reached the top of L4, this response gave a developed evaluation/judgement about the significance of Direct Action Day in the creation of Pakistan. The opinion/preference given was supported by simple additional reasoning based upon the relevant contextual knowledge already given in the main body of the answer which was then developed in the final sentence without repeating arguments made previously. Therefore, both the available evaluation/judgement marks, L5/14 are credited in this response.
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