Please check the examination details below before entering your candidate information
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE
Thursday 21 May 2026
Morning (Time: 2 hours)
Paper
9PL0/01 Mark Scheme
(Results)
reference
Politics
Advanced
PAPER 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas
You must have:
Source Booklet (enclosed)
Total Marks Summer 2026
Instructions
Pearson Edexcel
•• Use black ink or ball-point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name, Level 3 Advanced Level in Politics 9PL0/01
centre number and candidate number.
• –There are two sections: you must answer three questions:
in Section A answer either Question 1(a) or 1(b) and then either
Paper 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas
Question 2(a) or 2(b)
– in Section B answer either Question 3(a) or 3(b).
• Answer the questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 84.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
Advice
•• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
Check your answers if you have time at the end.
Turn over
P76456APearson Education Ltd.
P:1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1
*P76456A0128*
, SECTION A
Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Political Participation
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Answer ONE question from EITHER Question 1(a) OR Question 1(b) on page 2 and then answer Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s
ONE question from EITHER Question 2(a) OR Question 2(b) on page 10. largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications
EITHER including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
programmes for employers. For further information visit our
Look at Source 1(a) in the Source Booklet.
qualifications websites at or .
1 (a) Using the source, evaluate the view that class and region remain the most Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
important factors in influencing how people vote. contact us page at
In your response you must:
• compare and contrast the different opinions in the source
• examine and debate these views in a balanced way
• analyse and evaluate only the information presented in the source. Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
(30)
OR Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help
everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of
Look at Source 1(b) in the Source Booklet.
learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been
(b) Using the source, evaluate the view that the dominance of the Labour and involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in
Conservative parties has now ended. 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to
In your response you must: high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find
out more about how we can help you and your students at:
• compare and contrast the different opinions in the source
• examine and debate these views in a balanced way
• analyse and evaluate only the information presented in the source.
(30)
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P76456A
Publication Code 9PL0_01_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is
Pearson
2
*P76456A0228*
, General Marking Guidance
Indicate which question you are answering by marking a cross in the box . If you change your
mind, put a line through the box and then indicate your new answer with a cross . • All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
Chosen question number: Question 1(a) Question 1(b)
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
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perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
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used appropriately.
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• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
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should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the
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mark scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the
candidate’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles
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•
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• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme
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to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
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with an alternative response.
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................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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3
*P76456A0328* Turn over
, How to award marks when level descriptions are used
1. Finding the right level
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................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The first stage is to decide which level the answer should be placed in. To do this,
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
use a ‘best-fit’ approach, deciding which level most closely describes the
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quality of the answer. Answers can display characteristics from more than one
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level, and where this happens markers must use the guidance below and their
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professional judgement to decide which level is most appropriate.
For example, one stronger passage at L4 would not by itself merit a L4 mark, but
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it might be evidence to support a high L3 mark, unless there are substantial
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some characteristics of L2 might be placed at the bottom of L3. An answer
displaying some characteristics of L3 and some of L1 might be placed in L2.
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2. Finding a mark within a level
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After a level has been decided on, the next stage is to decide on the mark within
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However, where a level has specific guidance about how to place an answer
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within a level, always follow that guidance.
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Levels containing two marks only
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Start with the presumption that the work will be at the top of the level. Move
down to the lower mark if the work only just meets the requirements of the
level.
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................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Levels containing three or more marks
Markers should be prepared to use the full range of marks available in a level
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and not restrict marks to the middle. Markers should start at the middle of the
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move the mark up or down to find the best mark. To do this, they should take
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into account how far the answer meets the requirements of the level:
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• If it meets the requirements fully, markers should be prepared to award
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full marks within the level. The top mark in the level is used for answers that are
as good as can realistically be expected within that level
• If it only barely meets the requirements of the level, markers should
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................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . consider awarding marks at the bottom of the level. The bottom mark in the
level is used for answers that are the weakest that can be expected within
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that level
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4
*P76456A0428*
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE
Thursday 21 May 2026
Morning (Time: 2 hours)
Paper
9PL0/01 Mark Scheme
(Results)
reference
Politics
Advanced
PAPER 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas
You must have:
Source Booklet (enclosed)
Total Marks Summer 2026
Instructions
Pearson Edexcel
•• Use black ink or ball-point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name, Level 3 Advanced Level in Politics 9PL0/01
centre number and candidate number.
• –There are two sections: you must answer three questions:
in Section A answer either Question 1(a) or 1(b) and then either
Paper 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas
Question 2(a) or 2(b)
– in Section B answer either Question 3(a) or 3(b).
• Answer the questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 84.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
Advice
•• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
Check your answers if you have time at the end.
Turn over
P76456APearson Education Ltd.
P:1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1
*P76456A0128*
, SECTION A
Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Political Participation
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Answer ONE question from EITHER Question 1(a) OR Question 1(b) on page 2 and then answer Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s
ONE question from EITHER Question 2(a) OR Question 2(b) on page 10. largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications
EITHER including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
programmes for employers. For further information visit our
Look at Source 1(a) in the Source Booklet.
qualifications websites at or .
1 (a) Using the source, evaluate the view that class and region remain the most Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
important factors in influencing how people vote. contact us page at
In your response you must:
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(30)
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(30)
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P76456A
Publication Code 9PL0_01_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is
Pearson
2
*P76456A0228*
, General Marking Guidance
Indicate which question you are answering by marking a cross in the box . If you change your
mind, put a line through the box and then indicate your new answer with a cross . • All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the
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first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
Chosen question number: Question 1(a) Question 1(b)
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded
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• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
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perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
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used appropriately.
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• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
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should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the
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mark scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the
candidate’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles
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•
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• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme
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to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
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with an alternative response.
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3
*P76456A0328* Turn over
, How to award marks when level descriptions are used
1. Finding the right level
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................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The first stage is to decide which level the answer should be placed in. To do this,
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use a ‘best-fit’ approach, deciding which level most closely describes the
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quality of the answer. Answers can display characteristics from more than one
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level, and where this happens markers must use the guidance below and their
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professional judgement to decide which level is most appropriate.
For example, one stronger passage at L4 would not by itself merit a L4 mark, but
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it might be evidence to support a high L3 mark, unless there are substantial
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some characteristics of L2 might be placed at the bottom of L3. An answer
displaying some characteristics of L3 and some of L1 might be placed in L2.
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2. Finding a mark within a level
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After a level has been decided on, the next stage is to decide on the mark within
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However, where a level has specific guidance about how to place an answer
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within a level, always follow that guidance.
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Levels containing two marks only
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Start with the presumption that the work will be at the top of the level. Move
down to the lower mark if the work only just meets the requirements of the
level.
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Markers should be prepared to use the full range of marks available in a level
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and not restrict marks to the middle. Markers should start at the middle of the
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move the mark up or down to find the best mark. To do this, they should take
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into account how far the answer meets the requirements of the level:
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• If it meets the requirements fully, markers should be prepared to award
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full marks within the level. The top mark in the level is used for answers that are
as good as can realistically be expected within that level
• If it only barely meets the requirements of the level, markers should
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level is used for answers that are the weakest that can be expected within
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that level
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4
*P76456A0428*
