Band 6 checklists by response type

Band 6 work is not just “more detail”. It is controlled, relevant, well-evidenced and matched to the question.

Short-answer checklist

• Does the first sentence answer the question, not merely introduce the topic?
• Have you used the command verb properly?
• Is every example connected back to the question?
• Have you included the exact unit, process, trend, text, case, law, data or concept required?
• Could the marker see where each mark is earned?

Essay checklist

• Is the thesis a judgement rather than a topic sentence?
• Does every paragraph prove part of the judgement?
• Are examples specific enough to separate your answer from a generic response?
• Have you avoided memorised paragraphs that ignore the wording?
• Does the conclusion sharpen the judgement rather than repeat the introduction?

Calculation checklist

• Have you written the formula before substituting?
• Are units carried through?
• Is the answer rounded appropriately?
• Have you checked whether the answer is reasonable?
• Have you explained the result if the question asks for interpretation?

Source/data response checklist

• Have you used the source directly rather than writing from memory only?
• Have you identified the trend, anomaly, relationship or limitation?
• Have you linked evidence to syllabus knowledge?
• Have you avoided describing the graph/table without answering the question?