Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
SOCIOLOGY 9699/12 SOCIOLOGY 9699/12
Paper 1 Socialisation, Identity and Methods of Research February/March 2026 Paper 1 Socialisation, Identity and Methods of Research February/March 2026
1 hour 30 minutes MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 60
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
*
Published
INSTRUCTIONS
• Answer four questions in total:
Section A: Answer all questions.
Section B: Answer either Question 4 or Question 5.
*
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
• Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 60. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
• The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the February/March 2026 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.
This document has 4 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
03_9699_12_2026_1.11 This document consists of 20 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 2 9699/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
PUBLISHED
Section A Generic Marking Principles
Answer all questions in this section. These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers.
They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level
1 Describe two informal social sanctions. [4] descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.
2 (a) Explain two reasons why group interviews are high in validity. [8] GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
Marks must be awarded in line with:
(b) Explain two strengths of field experiments as a research method. [6]
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
3 ‘The media is the most important influence in shaping class identity.’ • the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
(a) Explain this view. [10] GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
(b) Using sociological material, give one argument against this view. [6]
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
Marks must be awarded positively:
Section B
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit
Answer one question in this section. is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme,
EITHER referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
4 Evaluate the view that human behaviour is shaped by nature rather than nurture. [26] • marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these
OR features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The
meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
5 Evaluate the use of official statistics in sociological research. [26]
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question
(however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate
responses seen).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should
not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 03_9699_12_2026_1.11
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 20
, 3 9699/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
PUBLISHED
Social Science-Specific Marking Principles
BLANK PAGE (for point-based marking)
1 Components using point-based marking:
• Point marking is often used to reward knowledge, understanding and application of skills.
We give credit where the candidate’s answer shows relevant knowledge, understanding
and application of skills in answering the question. We do not give credit where the answer
shows confusion.
From this it follows that we:
a DO credit answers which are worded differently from the mark scheme if they clearly
convey the same meaning (unless the mark scheme requires a specific term)
b DO credit alternative answers/examples which are not written in the mark scheme if they
are correct
c DO credit answers where candidates give more than one correct answer in one
prompt/numbered/scaffolded space where extended writing is required rather than list-type
answers. For example, questions that require n reasons (e.g. State two reasons …).
d DO NOT credit answers simply for using a ‘key term’ unless that is all that is required.
(Check for evidence it is understood and not used wrongly.)
e DO NOT credit answers which are obviously self-contradicting or trying to cover all
possibilities
f DO NOT give further credit for what is effectively repetition of a correct point already
credited unless the language itself is being tested. This applies equally to ‘mirror
statements’ (i.e. polluted/not polluted).
g DO NOT require spellings to be correct, unless this is part of the test. However spellings of
syllabus terms must allow for clear and unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms
with which they may be confused (e.g. Corrasion/Corrosion)
2 Presentation of mark scheme:
• Slashes (/) or the word ‘or’ separate alternative ways of making the same point.
• Semi colons (;) bullet points (•) or figures in brackets (1) separate different points.
• Content in the answer column in brackets is for examiner information/context to clarify the
marking but is not required to earn the mark (except Accounting syllabuses where they
indicate negative numbers).
3 Calculation questions:
• The mark scheme will show the steps in the most likely correct method(s), the mark for
each step, the correct answer(s) and the mark for each answer
• If working/explanation is considered essential for full credit, this will be indicated in the
question paper and in the mark scheme. In all other instances, the correct answer to a
calculation should be given full credit, even if no supporting working is shown.
• Where the candidate uses a valid method which is not covered by the mark scheme,
award equivalent marks for reaching equivalent stages.
• Where an answer makes use of a candidate’s own incorrect figure from previous working,
the ‘own figure rule’ applies: full marks will be given if a correct and complete method is
used. Further guidance will be included in the mark scheme where necessary and any
exceptions to this general principle will be noted.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 03_9699_12_2026_1.11
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 20
SOCIOLOGY 9699/12 SOCIOLOGY 9699/12
Paper 1 Socialisation, Identity and Methods of Research February/March 2026 Paper 1 Socialisation, Identity and Methods of Research February/March 2026
1 hour 30 minutes MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 60
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
*
Published
INSTRUCTIONS
• Answer four questions in total:
Section A: Answer all questions.
Section B: Answer either Question 4 or Question 5.
*
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
• Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 60. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
• The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the February/March 2026 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.
This document has 4 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
03_9699_12_2026_1.11 This document consists of 20 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 2 9699/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
PUBLISHED
Section A Generic Marking Principles
Answer all questions in this section. These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers.
They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level
1 Describe two informal social sanctions. [4] descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.
2 (a) Explain two reasons why group interviews are high in validity. [8] GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
Marks must be awarded in line with:
(b) Explain two strengths of field experiments as a research method. [6]
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
3 ‘The media is the most important influence in shaping class identity.’ • the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
(a) Explain this view. [10] GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
(b) Using sociological material, give one argument against this view. [6]
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
Marks must be awarded positively:
Section B
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit
Answer one question in this section. is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme,
EITHER referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
4 Evaluate the view that human behaviour is shaped by nature rather than nurture. [26] • marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these
OR features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The
meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
5 Evaluate the use of official statistics in sociological research. [26]
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question
(however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate
responses seen).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should
not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 03_9699_12_2026_1.11
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 20
, 3 9699/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
PUBLISHED
Social Science-Specific Marking Principles
BLANK PAGE (for point-based marking)
1 Components using point-based marking:
• Point marking is often used to reward knowledge, understanding and application of skills.
We give credit where the candidate’s answer shows relevant knowledge, understanding
and application of skills in answering the question. We do not give credit where the answer
shows confusion.
From this it follows that we:
a DO credit answers which are worded differently from the mark scheme if they clearly
convey the same meaning (unless the mark scheme requires a specific term)
b DO credit alternative answers/examples which are not written in the mark scheme if they
are correct
c DO credit answers where candidates give more than one correct answer in one
prompt/numbered/scaffolded space where extended writing is required rather than list-type
answers. For example, questions that require n reasons (e.g. State two reasons …).
d DO NOT credit answers simply for using a ‘key term’ unless that is all that is required.
(Check for evidence it is understood and not used wrongly.)
e DO NOT credit answers which are obviously self-contradicting or trying to cover all
possibilities
f DO NOT give further credit for what is effectively repetition of a correct point already
credited unless the language itself is being tested. This applies equally to ‘mirror
statements’ (i.e. polluted/not polluted).
g DO NOT require spellings to be correct, unless this is part of the test. However spellings of
syllabus terms must allow for clear and unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms
with which they may be confused (e.g. Corrasion/Corrosion)
2 Presentation of mark scheme:
• Slashes (/) or the word ‘or’ separate alternative ways of making the same point.
• Semi colons (;) bullet points (•) or figures in brackets (1) separate different points.
• Content in the answer column in brackets is for examiner information/context to clarify the
marking but is not required to earn the mark (except Accounting syllabuses where they
indicate negative numbers).
3 Calculation questions:
• The mark scheme will show the steps in the most likely correct method(s), the mark for
each step, the correct answer(s) and the mark for each answer
• If working/explanation is considered essential for full credit, this will be indicated in the
question paper and in the mark scheme. In all other instances, the correct answer to a
calculation should be given full credit, even if no supporting working is shown.
• Where the candidate uses a valid method which is not covered by the mark scheme,
award equivalent marks for reaching equivalent stages.
• Where an answer makes use of a candidate’s own incorrect figure from previous working,
the ‘own figure rule’ applies: full marks will be given if a correct and complete method is
used. Further guidance will be included in the mark scheme where necessary and any
exceptions to this general principle will be noted.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 03_9699_12_2026_1.11
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 20
