GCSE SOCIOLOGY
, Understanding the Course
Exam Board – AQA
Structure of papers
Paper 1: The sociology of family and education (100 marks)
Paper 2: The sociology of crime and deviance and social stratification (100 marks)
Assessment Objectives
AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and
methods.
AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods.
AO3 Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods in order to construct
arguments, make judgements and draw conclusions.
How to respond to exam questions
Style of question Assessment Number
objective of marks
1. Multiple choice A01 1
2. Multiple choice A01 1
3. Describe (usually definitional) A01 3
4. Identify and describe one A01 3
5. From Item A Identify one strength/weakness of the research A03 2
6. Identify and explain one... (related to item A) A01 4
A02
7. Identify and explain one advantage/disadvantage of (research A01 4
A02
method) to investigate (issue referred to in Item A)
8. From Item B identify and describe (research method and work of A01 4
A02
named sociologist)
9. Identify one (issue related to Item B) and explain… A01 4
A02
10. Discuss how far sociologists would agree… A01 12
A02
A03
11. Discuss how far sociologists would agree… A01 12
A02
A03
2
, How to Answer Questions
How to answer questions:
2 x 1-mark questions:
2 x 3-mark questions:
“Describe… or; Identify and describe one…”
Top answers will show: ‘a coherent description with few inaccuracies and will demonstrate good knowledge and understanding.
How to answer a 3-mark question:
· Identify and describe the answer in detail
· Give an example; try to use key words throughout your answer
· Make sure you have linked your answer to every part of the question, including any key words.
AO1 = 3 marks
Item
Be sure to study items carefully. Pay extra attention to things such as dates and who conducted the research, as this will be crucial to answering the next couple of questions, which
will test how well you have read the item. You could be asked about the type of research methods that the researcher as used, strengths or weaknesses of the research or even to
identify trends, patterns or make observations.
The three questions that follow an item in the exam will expect you to have the ‘context’ of this item in mind. This means the circumstances or background of the research. Try to
refer to it whenever you can!
1 x 2-mark questions:
“From Item A, examine one….” (This question is testing how well you can read and analyse an Item)
How to answer a 2-mark research question:
· Analyse (study) the item and identify a strength or weakness of the research being used.
· Suggest evaluate (weigh up) why this should be seen as a possible strength or weakness.
AO3 = 2 marks
3
, 4 x 4-mark questions:
“Identify and explain one…as referred to in Item A or; Identify and describe… or; Identify one…” (This is a paragraph answer linked to the Item)
Top answers will show: ‘a relevant factor/trend/research method identified, and an appropriate, detailed and well-developed description offered with a clear application to the
context’.
How to answer a 4-mark question:
· Identify and explain the answer
· Develop your answer further
· Give an example
· Make sure you have linked your answer to every part of the question, including any key words.
AO1 = 1 mark, AO2 = 3 marks
How to answer a 4-mark question:
· Write an introduction; focus on the question and explain what it’s asking. Explain any key terms
· Develop your ‘for’ answer; give at least two reasons, use a sociological perspective on the issue and any evidence.
· Develop your ‘against’ answer; give at least two reasons, use a sociological perspective on the issue and evidence.
· Give a conclusion, explicitly addressing the issue of “how far”.
AO1 = 4, AO2 = 4 marks, AO3 = 4 marks
2 x 12-mark questions:
“Discuss how far sociologists agree that…” (Mini essay answers)
Top answers will show: ‘an appropriately developed critical analysis and evaluation of the relevant evidence and/or theory. Good application of relevant knowledge and
understanding to the issues raised by the question with few if any inaccuracies or omissions. A wide range of specialist terms used with precision. A good knowledge and
understanding demonstrated in a coherent and logically structured argument’.
Structure of 12 Mark Question:
T – Theory (name a theorist, for example, feminist sociologists such as Oakley….)
K – Knowledge (discuss the theory using key terminology)
A – Analysis (link the theory to the question and ANSWER the question)
EV – Evaluate (criticise the theory you have just discussed)
You are being assessed on four things:
1. Sociological knowledge (AO1: 4 marks)
2. Your ability to apply knowledge of theories, research and methods (AO2: 4 marks)
3. Your ability to evaluate sociological theories and concepts, remember to evaluate “how far” (AO3: 4 marks)
4. Your ability to write clearly and coherently, spelling well and using specialist terms accurately (for over 9 marks)
4
, Understanding the Course
Exam Board – AQA
Structure of papers
Paper 1: The sociology of family and education (100 marks)
Paper 2: The sociology of crime and deviance and social stratification (100 marks)
Assessment Objectives
AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and
methods.
AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods.
AO3 Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods in order to construct
arguments, make judgements and draw conclusions.
How to respond to exam questions
Style of question Assessment Number
objective of marks
1. Multiple choice A01 1
2. Multiple choice A01 1
3. Describe (usually definitional) A01 3
4. Identify and describe one A01 3
5. From Item A Identify one strength/weakness of the research A03 2
6. Identify and explain one... (related to item A) A01 4
A02
7. Identify and explain one advantage/disadvantage of (research A01 4
A02
method) to investigate (issue referred to in Item A)
8. From Item B identify and describe (research method and work of A01 4
A02
named sociologist)
9. Identify one (issue related to Item B) and explain… A01 4
A02
10. Discuss how far sociologists would agree… A01 12
A02
A03
11. Discuss how far sociologists would agree… A01 12
A02
A03
2
, How to Answer Questions
How to answer questions:
2 x 1-mark questions:
2 x 3-mark questions:
“Describe… or; Identify and describe one…”
Top answers will show: ‘a coherent description with few inaccuracies and will demonstrate good knowledge and understanding.
How to answer a 3-mark question:
· Identify and describe the answer in detail
· Give an example; try to use key words throughout your answer
· Make sure you have linked your answer to every part of the question, including any key words.
AO1 = 3 marks
Item
Be sure to study items carefully. Pay extra attention to things such as dates and who conducted the research, as this will be crucial to answering the next couple of questions, which
will test how well you have read the item. You could be asked about the type of research methods that the researcher as used, strengths or weaknesses of the research or even to
identify trends, patterns or make observations.
The three questions that follow an item in the exam will expect you to have the ‘context’ of this item in mind. This means the circumstances or background of the research. Try to
refer to it whenever you can!
1 x 2-mark questions:
“From Item A, examine one….” (This question is testing how well you can read and analyse an Item)
How to answer a 2-mark research question:
· Analyse (study) the item and identify a strength or weakness of the research being used.
· Suggest evaluate (weigh up) why this should be seen as a possible strength or weakness.
AO3 = 2 marks
3
, 4 x 4-mark questions:
“Identify and explain one…as referred to in Item A or; Identify and describe… or; Identify one…” (This is a paragraph answer linked to the Item)
Top answers will show: ‘a relevant factor/trend/research method identified, and an appropriate, detailed and well-developed description offered with a clear application to the
context’.
How to answer a 4-mark question:
· Identify and explain the answer
· Develop your answer further
· Give an example
· Make sure you have linked your answer to every part of the question, including any key words.
AO1 = 1 mark, AO2 = 3 marks
How to answer a 4-mark question:
· Write an introduction; focus on the question and explain what it’s asking. Explain any key terms
· Develop your ‘for’ answer; give at least two reasons, use a sociological perspective on the issue and any evidence.
· Develop your ‘against’ answer; give at least two reasons, use a sociological perspective on the issue and evidence.
· Give a conclusion, explicitly addressing the issue of “how far”.
AO1 = 4, AO2 = 4 marks, AO3 = 4 marks
2 x 12-mark questions:
“Discuss how far sociologists agree that…” (Mini essay answers)
Top answers will show: ‘an appropriately developed critical analysis and evaluation of the relevant evidence and/or theory. Good application of relevant knowledge and
understanding to the issues raised by the question with few if any inaccuracies or omissions. A wide range of specialist terms used with precision. A good knowledge and
understanding demonstrated in a coherent and logically structured argument’.
Structure of 12 Mark Question:
T – Theory (name a theorist, for example, feminist sociologists such as Oakley….)
K – Knowledge (discuss the theory using key terminology)
A – Analysis (link the theory to the question and ANSWER the question)
EV – Evaluate (criticise the theory you have just discussed)
You are being assessed on four things:
1. Sociological knowledge (AO1: 4 marks)
2. Your ability to apply knowledge of theories, research and methods (AO2: 4 marks)
3. Your ability to evaluate sociological theories and concepts, remember to evaluate “how far” (AO3: 4 marks)
4. Your ability to write clearly and coherently, spelling well and using specialist terms accurately (for over 9 marks)
4
