# How marking works: the way an examiner does

> Marked one mark at a time against a guide based on the Department of Basic Education memo, with a reason for every lost mark. If we are unsure, we say so.

Canonical: https://sharpkop.co.za/how-marking-works/
Last updated: 2026-11-12

We mark the way an examiner does.

## 01. Against a marking guide built from the memo

Every question has a marking guide based on the Department of Basic Education memo: the points an examiner gives marks for. We mark each point on its own, so a 5-mark question gives you 5 separate answers about your work.

You see which points you earned and which you missed, so you know exactly what to fix.

Example · the 5 mark points:

- Tick (M): Uses an exponent law: 3²ˣ − 3·3ˣ − 54 = 0
- Tick (M): Factorises: (3ˣ − 9)(3ˣ + 6) = 0
- Tick (A): 3ˣ = 9
- Cross (A): Rejects 3ˣ = −6: a power of 3 is never negative
- Tick (A): Answer: x = 2

## 02. Like examiners: method, answer, follow-through

Method marks (M) are for the right steps, even if the final answer is wrong. Answer marks (A) are for the right result.

If you make one slip early, we follow it through like examiners do (CA, consistent accuracy), so one mistake doesn’t cost every mark after it.

One slip, followed through:

- Tick (M): Correct method: sets the derivative to 0
- Cross (A): Slip: 6x − 4 = 0 written as 6x + 4 = 0
- Tick (CA): Solves their own equation correctly
- Tick (M): Correct method for the y-value

## 03. When we’re not sure, we say so

Some answers can’t be marked fairly: a blurry photo, working we can’t follow, an approach the guide doesn’t cover. A wrong mark is worse than no mark.

So we show no score, give you the marking guide, and ask you to check your work against it.

No score is shown. For photos, you can retake it.

## 04. Report any mark

Every result has “Report this mark”. The report goes to the Sharpkop team, who read it.

If we got it wrong for one person, we’ve probably got it wrong for others, so a fix reaches everyone.

What can happen:

- The mark stands: We tell you why, with the mark point that decided it.
- Your mark changes: We update it and tell you. Your level updates too.
- We fix the question: Everyone who got that mark is re-marked, and told.

## Where the questions come from

Questions are based on National Senior Certificate papers set by the Department of Basic Education. Sharpkop is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department. Where we changed the numbers in a question, its source line says "Based on".

Questions are based on National Senior Certificate papers set by the Department of Basic Education. Sharpkop is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department.