The annotated work samples in Judging Standards support teachers when reporting
against the achievement standards; when giving assessment feedback; and when
explaining the differences between one student’s achievement and another’s.
Judging Standards
Reporting against the Achievement Standard
Grey highlighting identifies those aspects of the achievement standard addressed in
the work sample. Annotations in black text refer to the assessment pointers while
those in coloured text highlight additional, specific qualities evident in the work.
Work Sample: Year 9 Science
Performance associated with Grade A, representing excellent achievement
Summary of task:
Investigation: How length and diameter affect resistance in metal wires
Students selected a topic from a given list to investigate. They researched the topic using sources and completed an
investigation planning sheet. Students conducted an experiment, including details of the aim, description of equipment,
method to be followed and the results. Students then analysed the results, explained problems that were encountered
and wrote a conclusion. This information was presented in a detailed report with a bibliography.
Year 9 Science Achievement Standard
By the end of Year 9, students explain chemical processes and natural radioactivity in terms of atoms and energy
transfers and describe examples of important chemical reactions. They describe models of energy transfer and apply
these to explain phenomena. They explain global features and events in terms of geological processes and timescales.
They analyse how biological systems function and respond to external changes with reference to interdependencies,
energy transfers and flows of matter. They describe social and technological factors that have influenced scientific
developments and predict how future applications of science and technology may affect people’s lives.
Students design questions that can be investigated using a range of inquiry skills. They design methods that include the
control and accurate measurement of variables and systematic collection of data and describe how they considered
ethics and safety. They analyse trends in data, identify relationships between variables and reveal inconsistencies in
results. They analyse their methods and the quality of their data, and explain specific actions to improve the quality of
their evidence. They evaluate others’ methods and explanations from a scientific perspective and use appropriate
language and representations when communicating their findings and ideas to specific audiences.
Key words:
Electrical resistance, Electrical conductivity, Scientific inquiry
Student achievement is reported at the end of the semester or year using the letter grades
and achievement descriptors. Letter grades and achievement descriptors should not be used
to assess individual pieces of work.
2014/6416 [2014/9254]
Science: Year 9 Grade A Work Sample
1
Work Sample
Annotations
Develops a plausible hypothesis
by linking the independent and
dependent variables.
Allocates times for each step in
conducting the investigation
and writing the report.
Designs a fair test by selecting
appropriate equipment and
method; includes points
concerning the purpose and/or
required characteristics of the
equipment.
Identifies the independent and
dependent variables.
2014/6416
Science: Year 9 Grade A Work Sample
2
Work Sample
Annotations
Identifies information to be
researched and data to be
collected.
2014/6416
Science: Year 9 Grade A Work Sample
3
Work Sample
Annotations
Provides clear and detailed
explanations of complex
scientific models.
Researches background
information to support an
explanation of the hypothesis.
2014/6416
Science: Year 9 Grade A Work Sample
4
Work Sample
Annotations
Supports explanations of the
method outlined on the
following page with the use of
appropriate, clear, labelled
photographs.
2014/6416
Science: Year 9 Grade A Work Sample
5
Work Sample
Annotations
Provides a detailed step-bystep method, including repeat
trials or replicates, enhanced by
photographs.
Supports explanations of these
steps with the use of
appropriate scientific
terminology, e.g. reliable,
interval, resistance.
Modifies the method based on
initial observations or
measurements
2014/6416
Science: Year 9 Grade A Work Sample
6
Work Sample
Annotations
Constructs an appropriate table
and records data accurately.
Omits units in some column
headings.
Includes repeat trials or
replicates, and excludes
outliers, where appropriate,
when calculating averages
Selects and constructs an
appropriate graph type,
although the interval is
inaccurate in this instance.
2014/6416
Science: Year 9 Grade A Work Sample
7
Work Sample
Annotations
Constructs an appropriate table
and records data accurately.
Omits units in some column
headings.
Includes repeat trials or
replicates, but doesn’t exclude
outliers when calculating
averages.
Selects and constructs an
appropriate graph type,
displaying data accurately.
2014/6416
Science: Year 9 Grade A Work Sample
8
Work Sample
Annotations
Identifies and uses scientific
knowledge to explain patterns
and trends in the data.
Explains results using correct
scientific terminology and
knowledge, and suggests future
investigations or applications
related to content of the
investigation.
Identifies sources of error in
the investigation, explains their
impact and makes specific
suggestions for improving the
accuracy of data.
2014/6416
Science: Year 9 Grade A Work Sample
9
Work Sample
Annotations
Offers a conclusion, providing a
summary of the patterns or
trends in the data and making
reference back to the original
hypothesis.
Includes a brief bibliography
appropriately formatting
sources.
2014/6416
Science: Year 9 Grade A Work Sample
10