Exams, Essays and Short Answer Questions
Table of Contents
Last Updated on May 10, 2024 by Karl Thompson
This page provides the following information:
An Overview of the Three Sociology Exam Papers
There are three exam papers for AQA A-level sociology. All papers are two hours long, all papers have a total of 6 questions (the format of some of these repeat across papers), and all papers are marked out of a total of 80.
For more advice on each paper and examples of specific questions and answer, please scroll down!
A Level Sociology Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods
General advice for answering questions on paper 1, 10 mark ‘applying material from the item analyse questions’, 20 mark methods in context questions , 30 mark education essay questions , 10 mark theory and/ or methods outline and explain (no item) 10 mark questions, a level sociology paper 2: topics , families and households.
Examples of possible 10 mark questions for AQA A-Level sociology: families and households topic
Beliefs in Society (aka Religion)
Outline and explain two ways in which religion might promote social change
Outline and explain two arguments against the view that sociology is a science (10)
Applying material from the item, analyse two reasons why younger people are generally less religious than older people (10)
Applying material from the item, analyse two reasons for gender differences in the membership of religious organisations (10)
Evaluate the view that religious beliefs and organisations are barriers to social change (20)
Evaluate the pluralist view of the ownership and control of the media (20)
Global Development
Outline and explain two criticisms other theories of development might make of dependency theory (10)
Evaluate explanations of development and underdevelopment put forward by Dependency Theorists (20)
A Level Sociology Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
General advice on answering all questions, 4 and 6 mark ‘outline and explain questions’, 30 mark crime and deviance essays , as level sociology resources .
There are two 90 minute papers at the end of the AS year, and three two hour papers at the end of the A Level Year. Remember that if you do the AS qualification, your grades don’t count towards the A level, you are reassessed in a slightly different format on all of the first year material, along with all of the second year material as part of the A level exams at the end of the two years of study.
Related Posts
Assessment Objectives in AS and A Level Sociology – It’s useful to know how the marks are distributed in the exam – there are complex question by question breakdowns on the specification, but to simplify it – Knowledge and Understanding (of concepts, theories, research) is worth about 50% of the marks in the exam, the other 50% are for Application, Analysis and Evaluation.
Sociology Revision Resources for Sale
Overall the bundle contains:
Sociology Teaching Resources for Sale
Included in the bundle is a clearly structured 50 page gapped student work-pack, six PowerPoints* to structure the 10 lessons, 10 detailed lesson plans outlining a range of learning activities you can use with students, a massive list of relevant contemporary resources with links, and numerous lesson activities including introductions, plenaries and links to some Socrative quizzes.
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Essay Questions
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You will find a 20 mark question on all three papers of the A-Level exam, however, Methods in context question will be dealt with separately.
20 mark questions are essay style questions and should be answered in continuous prose and paragraphs. You should take around 25 – 30 minutes to answer these questions and contain between 3 and 4 paragraphs as well as an introduction and conclusion.
30 Mark Questions only appear on paper 1 and 3 for both Education and Crime and Deviance. 30 Mark questions are to be approached in the same way as the 20 markers, however, you ware expected to show a deeper level of knowledge and understanding (4-5 points), analysis and evaluation.
Command Words
All essay questions use the same command words:
Applying material from = Use the item explicitly in your answer. The examiner needs to see "the item" to show you have taken material from the item.
Evaluate = Look at multiple arguments and come to a reasoned and definitive conclusion
Evaluation Stems
There are two types of essay that you can be asked, Argument or relative importance. You will need to identify which type it is by looking at the question and identifying the evaluation stem. There are four stems for argument essays and two for relative importance:
ARGUMENT ESSAY STEMS
- The view
- The contribution of
- The usefulness of
RELATIVE IMPORTANCE ESSAY STEMS
- Sociological explanations of
- The reasons / causes / factors of
Planning your answers is an important step in practicing essay questions. There is no point writing out a full essay answer if you have no idea or are unsure on what it is you are being asked to do or what to include.
The for and against sides of the content section are essentially two different essays. They do not have to correspond. You then choose which you one you are going to turn into your essay [answer].
Introduction
The introduction should give an overview to the examiner of what it is you are going to write about in the essay. It is also there to show the examiner that you understand the question and what it is asking you to do.
The introduction should contain three elements:
Context:
This is the background information on the question and can come in three forms:
- Definition of key sociological terms.
- Trends in statistical subjects.
- Background of the theory or topic.
Content:
In this part of the introduction you show the examiner that you have interpreted the question correctly by explaining the key points that you are going to cover in the essay.
For an argument essay this will be both the arguments for and against the view in the question. Whereas for a relative importance question this will be the reasons, factors or explanations you are going to discuss.
This a a single sentence which either states that you are going to argue for or against the view in the question, or which reason, factor or explanation is the most important.
The main body of the essay should be around 3 or 4 paragraphs for a 20 marker and 4 or 5 paragraphs in length for a 30 marker, meaning that there should be 4 or 5 points that come from both the item that you have been given as well as your own knowledge.
A nswer the Question
The first sentence of your paragraph should directly answer the question. Use the terms of the question to help make sure you are answering the question set.
Argument Essay - Why have you come to your overall answer. Give a reason not a concept.
Relative Importance - Identify the explanation, reason, cause or factor.
R easons / Explanation
Use your sociological knowledge to explain how and why this answers the question. This should be around 3-4 sentences where you teach the reader and convince them that your answer is the correct one.
E valuation
The evaluation section of the paragraph is where you show your understanding of the opposing argument to your answer. The evaluation should directly link to the point that you are making at the start of your paragraph. It must be shorter than your explanation.
A pplication
The application elements of your paragraph are floating and go where they fit. Application comes in a range of formats:
- Integrated use of the item [Paraphrase don't quote]
- Appropriately named sociologists
- Appropriately used sociological studies
- Contemporary real life examples
- Illustrative Examples
L ink
This is where you reiterate your answer.
Argument Essay - What is your overall argument again. Not necessary for Assessment objectives but good literacy.
Relative Importance - Why is this factor the most important / not the most important. This is ESSENTIAL to show you are answering the question and not just describing the topic.
The conclusion should be about 2 or 3 sentences long and needs to answer the question directly, and explain why you have come to that answer.
Do not evaluate or add anything you have not mentioned already.
So how should you write your sociology essays to best meet the needs of the examiners?
 £1.99+ How to Write A Level Sociology EssaysMore products.
 AQA A-Level Sociology- Beliefs in Society (Detailed Plans)Subject: Sociology Age range: 16+ Resource type: Assessment and revision  Last updated 17 September 2019
 7 detailed essay plans (both 10 markers and 20 markers) ranging from secularisation, postmodernism and the changing influence of religion in today’s society. Each paragraph incorporates evaluative points with evidence and a link at the end. The essays are colour coded based on what should be included in a Sociology essay which makes them useful for working on your exam technique as well as your knowledge. Tes paid licence How can I reuse this? Your rating is required to reflect your happiness. It's good to leave some feedback. Something went wrong, please try again later. This resource hasn't been reviewed yet To ensure quality for our reviews, only customers who have purchased this resource can review it Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch. Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource: |
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
A quick look at the three sociology exam papers; A pared-down mark scheme for A Level sociology essays; Knowledge, application, analysis, evaluation, what are they, how to demonstrate them.
52 Pages of revision notes covering the entire AQA ‘beliefs in society’ specification: from perspectives on religion, organisations, class, gender ethnicity and age and secularisation, globalisation and fundamentalism. Three 10 mark ‘outline and explain’ practice exam questions and model answers.
An overview of the three exam papers for AQA A-level sociology (paper 1: education with theory, paper 2: topics, and paper 3: crime with theory) Links to posts offering specific advice on how to answer each of these papers, including the 2017 and 2018 sociology exams.
PPT Relative Importance Essay Planner. You will find a 20 mark question on all three papers of the A-Level exam, however, Methods in context question will be dealt with separately. 20 mark questions are essay style questions and should be answered in continuous prose and paragraphs.
Introductions should be: Short; define key terms; show how the terms link together; outline the debate. Main Parts should: Outline and assess alternative theories/studies, making use of AO1, AO2 and AO3. Conclusions should: Offer your opinion on the question, with reference to the theories/studies outlined in the Main Part.
Follow along with the Example 30 marker here: https://joellephua.notion.site/Example-30-marker-1017593a2bcd4233957971ce85838b7fToday's video is all about A l...
How to Write A Level Sociology Essays. This short booklet contains an overview of how to plan and write 30 mark essays for the AQA A level paper 1 exam (education and theory and methods).
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Study with Quizlet and memorise flashcards containing terms like Functionalism + education, Social democrats + education, Globalisation + education and others.
7 detailed essay plans (both 10 markers and 20 markers) ranging from secularisation, postmodernism and the changing influence of religion in today’s society. Each paragraph incorporates evaluative points with evidence and a link at the end.