OCR AS Level Sociology Researching and understanding
social inequalities (H180/02)
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
May 2026 – Morning
AS Level Sociology
H180/02 Researching and understanding social inequalities
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
*1334670877*
You must have:
• the OCR 12‑page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must
be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 75.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
, 2
Section A
Read the source material.
Source A
Comparison of attainment between students eligible for Free School Meals and those not
eligible for Free School Meals (2019)
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Age 5 Age 7 Age 11 Age 16 Age 19
achieved an achieved an achieved achieved achieved 2
acceptable acceptable an acceptable an acceptable or more
level of level of reading level of ability pass in English A levels
development ability in reading, and Maths
writing and GCSEs
maths
FSM (Eligible for Free School Meals) Not eligible for Free School Meals
The graph above shows the percentage of students who achieve expected measures of attainment
(an agreed acceptable level set by the government) at different ages during children’s education in
the UK. It compares students who are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) with students who are not
eligible for Free School Meals.
To be eligible for Free School Meals pupils usually have to come from families who receive one of
a range of benefits and so represent some of the poorest children in the country. Around 15% of
schoolchildren receive free school meals.
The graph was compiled from official statistics from the Department for Education.
, 4
1 Using data from Source A, describe two conclusions on the comparison of attainment between
students eligible for free school meals, and those not eligible for free school meals. [4]
2* With reference to Source B explain why sociologists might use quota sampling in order to obtain
a sample when carrying out research. [9]
3* With reference to Source A, explain the limitations of using quantitative data to study social
inequalities in relation to educational attainment. [12]
4* Using Source B and your wider sociological knowledge, explain and evaluate the use of online
questionnaires to investigate public opinion about gender equality across the world. [20]
Section B
5* Outline two ways in which gender inequalities in UK society have decreased. [10]
6* Assess functionalist explanations of social inequality. [20]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Copyright Information
OCR is committed to seeking permission to reproduce all third‑party content that it uses in its assessment materials. OCR has attempted to identify and contact all copyright holders
whose work is used in this paper. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer‑related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced in the OCR Copyright
Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download from our public website (www.ocr.org.uk) after the live examination series.
If OCR has unwittingly failed to correctly acknowledge or clear any third‑party content in this assessment material, OCR will be happy to correct its mistake at the earliest possible
opportunity.
For queries or further information please contact The OCR Copyright Team, The Triangle Building, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge CB2 8EA.
OCR is part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.
social inequalities (H180/02)
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
May 2026 – Morning
AS Level Sociology
H180/02 Researching and understanding social inequalities
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
*1334670877*
You must have:
• the OCR 12‑page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must
be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 75.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
, 2
Section A
Read the source material.
Source A
Comparison of attainment between students eligible for Free School Meals and those not
eligible for Free School Meals (2019)
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Age 5 Age 7 Age 11 Age 16 Age 19
achieved an achieved an achieved achieved achieved 2
acceptable acceptable an acceptable an acceptable or more
level of level of reading level of ability pass in English A levels
development ability in reading, and Maths
writing and GCSEs
maths
FSM (Eligible for Free School Meals) Not eligible for Free School Meals
The graph above shows the percentage of students who achieve expected measures of attainment
(an agreed acceptable level set by the government) at different ages during children’s education in
the UK. It compares students who are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) with students who are not
eligible for Free School Meals.
To be eligible for Free School Meals pupils usually have to come from families who receive one of
a range of benefits and so represent some of the poorest children in the country. Around 15% of
schoolchildren receive free school meals.
The graph was compiled from official statistics from the Department for Education.
, 4
1 Using data from Source A, describe two conclusions on the comparison of attainment between
students eligible for free school meals, and those not eligible for free school meals. [4]
2* With reference to Source B explain why sociologists might use quota sampling in order to obtain
a sample when carrying out research. [9]
3* With reference to Source A, explain the limitations of using quantitative data to study social
inequalities in relation to educational attainment. [12]
4* Using Source B and your wider sociological knowledge, explain and evaluate the use of online
questionnaires to investigate public opinion about gender equality across the world. [20]
Section B
5* Outline two ways in which gender inequalities in UK society have decreased. [10]
6* Assess functionalist explanations of social inequality. [20]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Copyright Information
OCR is committed to seeking permission to reproduce all third‑party content that it uses in its assessment materials. OCR has attempted to identify and contact all copyright holders
whose work is used in this paper. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer‑related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced in the OCR Copyright
Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download from our public website (www.ocr.org.uk) after the live examination series.
If OCR has unwittingly failed to correctly acknowledge or clear any third‑party content in this assessment material, OCR will be happy to correct its mistake at the earliest possible
opportunity.
For queries or further information please contact The OCR Copyright Team, The Triangle Building, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge CB2 8EA.
OCR is part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.
