Exam Tips

Which questions should I answer? Section A – everybody has to answer this question. Section B – you have to chose 4 questions from a choice of: Family, Education, Social Differentiation, Poverty and the Welfare State, Work and Deviance and Social Control. Do not even look at the questions on Politics and Power or Migration as we have not studied these topics! When choosing the question you need to look at part d – this carries the most marks

1 mark answers This is an easy way to get some marks so make sure you have read the question and the data properly. DO NOT spend too long on these question – you just need a few words to answer questions about the data and no more than 1 or 2 sentences to answer other one mark questions. Eg identify one possible reason why a greater proportion of pupils at Key Stage 3 receive help with homework from friends than at Key Stage 2. (1 mark) One reasons for this may be because the work at KS3 is more challenging so friends are more likely to be able than parents. (1 mark)

Section A This cover what was learned in the introductory ‘What is Sociology’ unit. However you will also be expected to refer to other areas of sociology where appropriate, especially in the essay question There will also be questions on coursework – your answers here should focus on the most appropriate method for a GCSE student and also what problems they may face.

2 mark answers These normally start with “Explain Briefly” The best way to tackle these questions is with some explanation and an example: Eg. Explain briefly one form of social stratification other than social class. Another form of stratification is by race, where people are seen as superior or inferior because of their skin colour (1 mark). This happened in South Africa during the Apartheid, where white people had the power and everybody else was treated as second class citizens (2 marks)

Identify and Explain Questions You will get mark for identifying an accurate answer You will get another mark for explanation You can get a third mark from giving an appropriate example. Remember the word one is always in bold – just explain one factor in this way – you will only waste time if you do more than one Example - Identify and explain one effect that unemployment might have on an individual. One effect unemployment may have on an individual is that they are more likely to live in poverty (1 mark). This is because they have lost their income so thy instead will have to rely on state benefits, which will probably be lower (2 marks). Living in poverty will mean that they may need to cut back on luxury items like going out with their friends (3 marks)

Explain the difference questions These questions are worth either 2 or 3 marks To get full marks on these questions you need to explain each term with an example. If you do this clearly, you should have made the difference clear Eg: Explain the difference between the hidden curriculum and the National Curriculum. The National Curriculum is what the government introduced to tell all schools what to study in each subject. For example there has to be lessons on maths and English. The Hidden Curriculum is what students learn in schools without being formally taught it. For example students will learn that they should not challenge people in authority. (3 marks)

Essay Style Questions These are worth 7-9 marks – it is very important that you make a good effort with these. To get good marks your answers must be balanced You also need to explain two different factors on each side. Make sure your answer is focused on the question – use the words from the question at the start of each paragraph To get higher grades, try and add a conclusion which is in line with your argument.

Remember Use key words where appropriate Try and use correct spellings, punctuations and grammar The examiner wants to here sociological facts NOT YOUR OPINIONS When referring to ethnic minorities, remember that different ethnic groups will have had different experiences REVISE, REVISE, REVISE – practice doing exam questions

GOOD LUCK!