Understanding A-Level Politics
A-Level Exam Boards
Upon completion of their GCSE or IGCSE exams, students will transition into A-Level (Advanced Level). Depending on their geographical location and their school’s preferences, different exam boards are available. The three most common A-Level exam boards are AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance), OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations), and Edexcel. Each exam board utilises different assessment methods but are equally rated, meaning no one board is better than the other.
The Edexcel Politics Syllabus
The Edexcel politics syllabus is divided into three components. The first component is UK Politics and Core Political Ideas. Here, A-Level politics students will focus on the UK’s political environment, examining the nature of politics on the island and how its citizens engage with the political system, under the topic headings of democracy and participation; political parties; electoral systems; and voting behaviour and the media. Moreover, politics learners will cover three core political ideas. These being liberalism, conservatism, and socialism.
The second component of the A-Level politics syllabus is UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas. Here, students focus on four content areas regarding the UK government. These are the constitution; parliament; Prime Minister and the executive; and relations between the branches. Insofar as the ‘non-core political ideas’ are concerned, there are five options with students choosing one for close analysis:
Anarchism
Ecologism
Feminism
Multiculturalism
Nationalism
The third and final component of the A-Level politics syllabus is Comparative Politics. Here, A-Level politics students will study one of two topics, either ‘Government and Politics of the USA’ or ‘Global Politics’. If studying the former, there will be a focus on six content areas:
The US Constitution and federalism
US Congress
US presidency
US Supreme Court and US civil rights
US democracy and participation
Comparative theories
If politics students are tackling ‘Global Politics’ instead, there are another six distinct areas of learning:
The state and globalisation
Global governance: political and economic
Global governance: human rights and environmental
Power and developments
Regionalism and the European Union
Comparative theories
How A-Level Politics Is Assessed
The A-Level politics exam, like the syllabus itself, consists of three exam components. Each exam paper is worth 33.3% of the total grade and timed at two hours. The first two exam papers are concerned with UK Politics and Core Political Ideas and UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas, respectively. During both of these papers, A-Level politics students must complete three questions, two weighted at 30 marks and one weighted at 24 marks. In the Comparative Politics exam, candidates must complete two compulsory 12 mark questions and two 30 mark questions from a choice of three options.
A-Level Politics Materials
When studying A-Level politics, it is important to review the syllabus guide. By doing so, students have a clear understanding of their learning goals right from the start of the course. Moreover, making use of a textbook can be vital for initial learning and later revision. It can often be the case that teachers avoid textbooks in favour of notes that they have composed. While these notes can be useful, a textbook offers an anchor for students to refer back to when needed that may prove more supportive than a series of notes. Information about textbooks, as well as past examination papers and mark schemes, have been made available by Edexcel for the benefit of its students.
Challenges of A-Level Politics
There are a number of distinct challenges of A-Level politics. First and foremost, A-Level politics students have a considerable amount of content to cover in the duration of the course and, consequently, numerous concepts to grasp and definitions to memorise. This can be an overwhelming task for many learners. In addition to textbook revision and class work, those taking A-Level politics are also expected to stay on top of both domestic and international political news. This means reading the news daily and often engaging with multiple news sources. Lastly, students often find the different types of essays that they must write for their exams (source analysis, evaluative, and so on) and the unique requirements of these essays a considerable stumbling block.
Tips for Success
To succeed in A-Level politics, students must maintain consistency in their learning. This means formulating a realistic and comprehensive revision timetable. Study should be varied, moving from memorisation of concepts to essay writing, and breaks should be utilised to ensure that A-Level politics learners don’t burn themselves out. As noted above, students should familiarise themselves with the subject guide and carefully review past exam papers and mark schemes. All of this will aid in later exam success. Additionally, it can be beneficial to make use of politically-focused podcasts, such as the BBC’s Global News Podcast, as a means to stay on top of current events. This way, students can listen while on the way to and from school, making the most of their free time.
BartyED’s A-Level Tuition
At BartyED, our tutors understand the unique pressures facing A-Level students. Along with revision and coursework, there are also the expectations of parents and teachers. Consequently, our A-Level tutors work closely with students to boost subject mastery and develop revision practices that best suit their unique learning style. Whatever assistance students require, our team of experienced tutors are available to offer a helping hand.
So, if you think that you or your child could benefit from the guidance and support of a BartyED tutor, get in touch today via our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The course consists of three components: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas; UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas; and Comparative Politics.
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Students must sit three papers, each corresponding to the course components.
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Politics can be a challenging subject as it requires students to engage not only with the information in their textbooks but also stay on top of current political events, while also preparing for exams that engage in multiple writing skills.
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Tutors can prove extremely useful for A-Level students, whether they are studying politics or any other subject. An experienced A-Level tutor can help to plan revision, offer exam tips and techniques, and explain concepts that students find difficult to understand.