Specific marks are being allocated for good spelling, punctuation and grammar - a change that affects exams in English literature, geography, history and religious studies taken since January this year.

BBC: Education & Family

For ease of visual comparison, territories are split into 12 geographical regions -- e.g. blue for North America, brown for Northern Africa -- and shading marks out specific countries.

CNN: Mapping out a new world order

Having harvested and germinated seeds from her hand pollinated plants, Minushika scored those seedlings for presence or absence of the red fleck and white V leaf marks and assayed for a specific genetic precursor and enzyme need for the production of hydrogen cyanide.

UNESCO: Outstanding Student Award - Realise the Dream

Like Boy Scout merit badges for professionals, these marks of achievement would show competence in specific skills, and they could be granted by any number of institutions.

WSJ: Merit Badges for the Job Market

It alleged that teachers were "routinely" given information about future exams, including questions, syllabus areas to focus on and the specific words or facts students must use to win marks.

BBC: Government calls for 'fundamental reform' of exam system

And the hurricane has hit him in specific ways, with the Thursday poll and others giving him lower marks than before on his traditional strong suits, such as tough leadership and ability to handle a crisis.

ECONOMIST: Seeking a cure for the hurricane hangover | The