Specification

Performance Level Descriptors give a general indication of the learning outcomes students need to display in order to be awarded a Distinction or a Merit.

Award	Learning Outcomes
Distinction	Students: use and apply knowledge from all the areas of the criteria assessed with no significant omissions; select and use the relevant information, principles and concepts of physics, recognise information that is not relevant, and bring together principles and concepts from different areas of physics in seeking a solution, demonstrating consistently a clear and deep understanding of the relationships between these; apply the fundamental principles and concepts of physics effectively and with efficiency when dealing with a range of contexts and situations, many of which are new to them; communicate their ideas with clarity and precision, selecting a form appropriate to the situation, and make effective use of a range of appropriate concepts, data and techniques in constructing arguments and solving problems; show a clear understanding of the underlying relationships between physical quantities in their treatment of numerical relationships and carry out extended calculations correctly and in a logical and concise manner, in situations where no guidance is given; and interpret, analyse and evaluate qualitative information and quantitative data from a range of sources, identifying weaknesses and strengths, and suggesting improvements; draw inferences and, where appropriate, relate these to other contexts.
Merit	Students: use and apply knowledge from all the assessed areas of the criteria with a few significant omissions; select the relevant information, principles and concepts of physics and bring together principles and concepts from different areas of physics in seeking a solution, demonstrating a clear understanding of the relationships between these; apply fundamental principles and concepts of physics correctly and consistently, when apply them to both familiar and new contexts; communicate their ideas clearly and logically, making good use of appropriate ideas, data and techniques in constructing arguments and solving problems; show a clear understanding of the underlying relationships between physical quantities in their treatment of numerical relationships and carry out extended calculations correctly and in a logical manner, in situations where minimal guidance is given; and interpret, analyse and evaluate qualitative information and quantitative data from a range of sources, identifying weaknesses and strengths, and drawing appropriate inferences.

Award

Learning Outcomes

Distinction

Students:

use and apply knowledge from all the areas of the criteria assessed with no significant omissions;
select and use the relevant information, principles and concepts of physics, recognise information that is not relevant, and bring together principles and concepts from different areas of physics in seeking a solution, demonstrating consistently a clear and deep understanding of the relationships between these;
apply the fundamental principles and concepts of physics effectively and with efficiency when dealing with a range of contexts and situations, many of which are new to them;
communicate their ideas with clarity and precision, selecting a form appropriate to the situation, and make effective use of a range of appropriate concepts, data and techniques in constructing arguments and solving problems;
show a clear understanding of the underlying relationships between physical quantities in their treatment of numerical relationships and carry out extended calculations correctly and in a logical and concise manner, in situations where no guidance is given; and
interpret, analyse and evaluate qualitative information and quantitative data from a range of sources, identifying weaknesses and strengths, and suggesting improvements; draw inferences and, where appropriate, relate these to other contexts.

Merit

Students:

use and apply knowledge from all the assessed areas of the criteria with a few significant omissions;
select the relevant information, principles and concepts of physics and bring together principles and concepts from different areas of physics in seeking a solution, demonstrating a clear understanding of the relationships between these;
apply fundamental principles and concepts of physics correctly and consistently, when apply them to both familiar and new contexts;
communicate their ideas clearly and logically, making good use of appropriate ideas, data and techniques in constructing arguments and solving problems;
show a clear understanding of the underlying relationships between physical quantities in their treatment of numerical relationships and carry out extended calculations correctly and in a logical manner, in situations where minimal guidance is given; and
interpret, analyse and evaluate qualitative information and quantitative data from a range of sources, identifying weaknesses and strengths, and drawing appropriate inferences.