AS 91202 annotated exemplars

This annotated exemplar is intended for teacher use only. Annotated exemplars are extracts of student evidence, with commentary, that explain key parts of a standard. These help teachers make assessment judgements at the grade boundaries.

Download all exemplars and commentary [PDF, 768 KB]

TKI Classical Studies assessment resources (external link)

For Excellence, the student needs to demonstrate perceptive understanding of a significant event in the classical world.

This involves giving an explanation that shows insight into why the event was important. This could be through explaining reasons for similarities and differences, cultural expectations and codes of behaviour, and/or recognising limitations of sources of evidence.

In this extract the student demonstrates perceptive understanding by showing insight into why the event of the Battle of Marathon was important. Primary source evidence of specific relevance has been used in their explanation (1). They have explained a range of aspects/factors: leadership, cultural significance, social significance (2) and reasons for similarities and differences (3). Throughout their explanation, the student makes links to the wider cultural context (4).

For a more secure Excellence, the student could recognise the limitations of sources of evidence, and explain cultural expectations and codes of behaviour in greater depth. 

For Merit, the student needs to demonstrate in-depth understanding of a significant event in the classical world.

This involves placing the event in context to give an informed explanation of why the event was important. This could be through using primary source evidence of specific relevance to the context and/or explaining a range of aspects and/or factors.

In this extract the student gives an informed understanding of why the event of the Battle of Marathon was important, using primary source evidence of specific relevance to support their explanation (1). This explanation covers a range of aspects related to the event: leadership, cultural significance and political significance (2).

To reach Excellence, the student could link the event more closely to the shifts in cultural expectations, i.e. how the battle directly linked to the development of democratic systems of government.

For Merit, the student needs to demonstrate in-depth understanding of a significant event in the classical world.

This involves placing the event in context to give an informed explanation of why the event was important. This could be through using primary source evidence of specific relevance to the context and/or explaining a range of aspects and/or factors.

In this extract, the student has provided an informed understanding of the event of the Trojan War, using primary source evidence which is specifically relevant to the points made (1). A range of aspects/factors are covered to explain why this event was significant: timing, location, causes, and cultural significance (2).

For a more secure Merit, the student could respond in a more balanced manner by explaining why the event was important in the classical world, rather than the emphasis on placing the event in context.

For Achieved, the student needs to demonstrate understanding of a significant event in the classical world.

This involves using primary source evidence and placing the event in context to explain why the event was important.

Within the whole submission, the student uses supporting primary source evidence and explained points in more depth than what can be seen in this extract. Or with a level of depth that approaches Merit.

In this extract, the student demonstrates understanding of the significance of the formation of the first triumvirate (1) through an explanation of the reasons it was established and the effect of its breakup. The student places the event in its historical context, and makes some comments explaining why the event was important.

To reach Merit, the student could consider the implications of the significance of the triumvirate on a range of aspects, such as social implications on the higher classes, impact on lives of the Romans, expansion of the provinces, to give an informed explanation.

For Achieved, the student needs to demonstrate understanding of a significant event in the classical world.

This involves using primary source evidence and placing the event in context to explain why the event was important.

In this extract, the student has demonstrated understanding of the event of the battle of Thermopylae. Primary source evidence has been used in the explanation (1). The explanation places the event in context (2) and explains why the event was important (3).

For a more secure Achieved, the student could provide a more considered response, rather than making generalisations.

For Achieved, the student needs to demonstrate understanding of a significant event in the classical world.

This involves using primary source evidence and placing the event in context to explain why the event was important.

In this extract the student does not deal with the event as an actual event, instead focuses on mythological context rather than treating the event as an occurrence.

The student attempts to use primary source evidence to support their ideas. The response is generalised and lacks sophistication required at this curriculum level.  The student does not explain why event was important, other than we learn about their society through the written/oral accounts of the event. This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

To reach Achieved, the student could place the event in historical context (rather than mythological) to explain why it was important.