Exam Assessment Objectives (AQA GCSE Sociology)
Revision Note
Skills you need to demonstrate in your exam responses
AO1: Knowledge and understanding
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
sociological theories, e.g. functionalism
key thinkers, e.g. Davis and Moore (1945)
key terms, e.g. primary socialisation
concepts, e.g. role allocation
evidence, e.g. Willmott and Young's (1973) research on the symmetrical family
methods , e.g. social surveys
Concepts and key terms from studies and theories must be used when answering exam questions
Links between the theories, concepts and key terms must be made and how this affects the research and collecting of evidence
40% of marks available are for AO1, which is assessed in shorter and extended writing questions
Worked Example
Describe one function of families.
[3 marks]
Model Answer:
Define the key term/concept:
Murdock is a functionalist who identified four main functions of the family. One of these functions is reproductive.
Provide an explanation and an example:
This means that the nuclear family is crucial for procreating and childbearing, so that the next generation of workers in society is produced so it can endure over time.
Level 3 response: 3 marks
Marking Commentary:
This response is in the top band (Level 3) because it shows good knowledge and understanding of one function of families. There are clear links between theories (the functionalist view of the family), concepts (functions of the family), key terms (reproductive, nuclear family) and key sociologists (Murdock, who is not a key thinker on this specification).
AO2: Application
Apply knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods to a range of issues
The reason for discussing a study or theorist must be made explicit when answering exam questions
An item or point is included with the question to maintain focus on the AO2 element of the question
Links between the theories, concepts, ideas, studies and methods must be made and how this links back to the question and/or item
Contemporary examples should be used and explicitly linked to the question and/or item
40% of marks available are for AO2, which is assessed in shorter and extended writing questions
Worked Example
Identify and explain one advantage of using a pilot study to investigate life chances.
[4 marks]
Model Answer:
Identify the advantage in the context of the question:
An advantage is that they allow researchers to trial the research method they wish to use to investigate life chances.
Elaborate in the context of the question:
This is a strength because the sociologist can gauge whether they have chosen the best method. E.g. using questionnaires to investigate life chances in a pilot study will likely show that the method is inappropriate for the topic, as those who face limits to their life chances may struggle to answer the questions, so the data will lack validity.
Level 4 response: 4 marks
Marking Commentary:
This response is in the top band (Level 4) because it identifies an advantage of using pilot studies ('allow researchers to trial the research method') and the answer is well developed ('this is a strength because...') with reference to the context (investigating life chances). This is then clearly linked back to why this is an advantage for this study (using an inappropriate method will lead to less valid conclusions about life chances).
AO3: Analysis and evaluation
Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods in order to construct arguments, make judgements and draw conclusions
Analysis is about the depth and extent of an argument, demonstrated by:
making connections between other relevant topics and explaining how the different areas of sociology are related to each other
drawing conclusions within a 12-mark extended writing question
being able to make sense of any written and statistical information presented
Evaluation is about making balanced judgements, demonstrated by:
assessing an explanation or an idea by identifying its strengths and weaknesses
examining a theory's assumptions, linking its strengths to a particular theory and criticising with an alternative perspective
reaching a balanced conclusion to a 12-mark question after weighing up the evidence
20% of marks available are for AO3, which is assessed in shorter and extended writing questions
Worked Example
From Item A, examine one weakness of using government-reported statistics to research youth crime.
[2 marks]
Model Answer:
Identify a weakness:
Government-reported statistics ignore the dark figure of crime [1 mark].
Explain why it is a weakness:
They do not include criminal acts committed by young people that have not been reported [1 mark].
Marking Commentary:
This response receives full marks because it identifies one weakness of government-reported statistics ('ignore the dark figure of crime') and the answer is well developed ('they don't include...'), showing a clear chain of reasoning.
Command words
An exam question's command words outline precisely what the examiners will be looking for in your response and the skills you must demonstrate to receive full marks
Below are the command words that are used in the AQA GCSE Sociology exam papers, along with suggestions for how to answer them
Describe
This means to set out main features or characteristics
This is a 'what is happening' question
Tests students' ability to describe relevant sociological theories, concepts, evidence or methods as applied to a particular concept
Tests AO1, or AO1 plus AO2 skills
Example questions
Describe one example of white collar crime (AO1)
From Item B, identify and describe one way in which Becker argued that behaviour can be labelled as deviant... (AO1 & AO2)
Identify
This means to name or otherwise characterise
Tests students' ability to select relevant sociological theories, concepts, evidence or methods
Tests AO1 ,or AO1 plus AO2 skills
Example question
Identify and describe one example of how patriarchy can affect the power relationship within families (AO1)
From Item B, identify and describe one way in which Becker argued that behaviour can be labelled as deviant... (AO1 & AO2)
Explain
This means to set out purposes or reasons
This is a 'why is this happening' question
Tests students' ability to explain relevant sociological theories, concepts, evidence or methods as applied to a specific context
Tests AO1 and AO2 skills
Example questions
Identify and explain one advantage of using unstructured interviews to investigate relationships between family members
Identify and explain one factor that may lead to a person experiencing poverty as referred to in Item C
Examine
This means to investigate closely
Tests students' ability to make judgements and draw conclusions based with regard to an example that has been provided
Tests AO3 skills
Example questions
From Item A, examine one strength of the research
From Item C, examine one weakness of the research
Discuss
This means to present key points about different ideas or strengths and weaknesses of an idea and come to a conclusion
Tests students' ability to provide an extended answer covering the full range of assessment objectives
Tests AO1, AO2 and AO3 skills
Example question
Discuss how far sociologists would agree that feminism has changed marriage in modern British society
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