Learn from others: Browse anonymised top 3 and middle 3 mock exam results. No candidate numbers shown.
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| Question | Topic / Title | Max Marks | Class Avg | Performance % | RAG Rating |
|---|
Click on column headers to sort the table.
| Question | Topic / Title | Max Marks | Class Avg | Performance % | RAG Rating |
|---|
Overall: The cohort of 27 students achieved a class average of 40.8/80 (51%) with a pass rate (Grade 4+) of 67% (18 of 27 students). The strongest performance was in the multiple choice and short-answer sections, with Q7b (Institute for Government view, 89%), Q7a (Blair view, 93%) and Q1b (discrimination, 100%) all scoring very well. The weakest area by far was Q7c (Source Agreement, 13%), suggesting students struggled to identify points of agreement between the two sources. The higher-tariff extended writing questions (Q7d and Q8) also showed significant room for improvement.
"Which view do you agree with more?" (12 Marks)
Hover over the highlighted text to see the examiner's commentary.
"The ages of responsibility should be increased." (15 Marks)
One reason mutual respect is necessary is that it allows people from different backgrounds to live peacefully togetherEXAMINER: This earns one mark for identifying the first valid reason why mutual respect is necessary.. This reduces prejudice and conflict in diverse communitiesEXAMINER: This earns a development mark by explaining the positive societal outcome of living peacefully. because individuals feel valued rather than marginalised. Another reason is that it allows disagreements to be expressed without hostilityEXAMINER: This earns a mark for identifying a second valid reason relating to freedom of expression.. This means citizens can engage in healthy democratic debates and find compromisesEXAMINER: This earns a development mark by explaining how expressing disagreement peacefully benefits the democratic process. without resorting to violence or aggression.
Instead of writing: it is nice to respect peopleEXAMINER: This is too vague and does not explain a specific, measurable societal benefit of mutual respect.
Trade unions protect workers' rights by using collective bargaining to negotiate with employersEXAMINER: This earns one mark for identifying a specific, valid method unions use to protect rights.. This gives workers much more influence than they would have individuallyEXAMINER: This earns the development mark by explaining why collective bargaining is an effective tool for workers., making it easier to secure fairer pay and safer working conditions.
Instead of writing: they help workersEXAMINER: This just repeats the premise of the question without identifying a specific method like collective bargaining or legal representation.
One reason is that deep-rooted prejudices and stereotypes can persist in people's mindsEXAMINER: This earns one mark for identifying that personal attitudes do not instantly change just because laws do. even when discriminatory behaviour is made illegal. Furthermore, victims may be too afraid of negative consequences at work to actually reportEXAMINER: This earns a second mark for identifying that fear of reprisals prevents the law from being enforced. the discrimination.
Instead of writing: people break the lawEXAMINER: This is too general and does not give a specific reason why this particular type of law is broken or goes unenforced.
A government minister is responsible for running a specific government departmentEXAMINER: This earns one mark for correctly identifying a key executive role of a minister. and overseeing its policies.
Instead of writing: they make lawsEXAMINER: This is inaccurate because Parliament as a whole makes laws, whereas ministers specifically run departments and propose policies.
A majority government is formed by a single party with over half the seats, whereas a coalition is formed when two or more parties govern togetherEXAMINER: This earns one mark for identifying the structural difference between the two types of government.. This means a majority government can easily pass its own legislation, while a coalition must constantly negotiateEXAMINER: This earns a development mark by explaining how this structural difference impacts the passing of laws. and compromise on policies. Another difference is accountability to the publicEXAMINER: This earns a mark for identifying a second valid difference regarding how the public views the government.. In a majority government, one party clearly owns the record, but in a coalition, voters might find it harder to know which party to blameEXAMINER: This earns a development mark by contrasting how voters judge the parties at election time. for unpopular decisions.
Instead of writing: coalitions have more peopleEXAMINER: This is inaccurate and vague, as the number of MPs in government depends on the size of the majority, not just whether it is a coalition.
A coalition government is formed when no single party wins an overall majorityEXAMINER: This earns one mark for identifying the electoral circumstance that leads to a coalition. in a general election. To govern, two or more parties must agree a joint programmeEXAMINER: This earns a second mark for identifying that policies must be formally negotiated and combined. of policies. As part of this arrangement, ministerial posts in the Cabinet are sharedEXAMINER: This earns a third mark for identifying that government jobs are distributed among the partnering parties. between the different parties involved.
Instead of writing: they work togetherEXAMINER: This is too vague and does not specify a formal feature of a coalition, such as sharing Cabinet posts or creating a joint agreement.
Victims may choose not to report a crime because they have a fear of reprisals from the offenderEXAMINER: This earns one mark for identifying that victims might be too scared of revenge to come forward.. Alternatively, they might not report it due to a belief that the police will not take the incident seriouslyEXAMINER: This earns a second mark for identifying that a lack of faith in the police response deters reporting. enough to act.
Instead of writing: they don't want toEXAMINER: This does not provide a specific, valid reason for why a victim would make that choice.
One key role in the legal profession is a solicitorEXAMINER: This earns one mark for identifying a valid legal profession role., who provides direct legal advice to clients. Another role is a barristerEXAMINER: This earns a second mark for identifying another valid legal profession role., who represents clients in higher courts. Finally, a judgeEXAMINER: This earns a third mark for identifying a third valid legal profession role. is responsible for presiding over court cases and ensuring the law is applied correctly.
Instead of writing: police officerEXAMINER: A police officer enforces the law but is not considered a member of the legal profession itself.
A Neighbourhood Watch scheme encourages local residents to look out for one another's propertyEXAMINER: This earns one mark for identifying how the scheme operates to prevent crime. and report suspicious behaviour. This active community presence means potential offenders are more likely to be seen and deterredEXAMINER: This earns the development mark by explaining the psychological effect this vigilance has on criminals. from committing crimes like burglary.
Instead of writing: it stops crimeEXAMINER: This just repeats the question without explaining the mechanism, such as residents acting as a visual deterrent.
Correct Answer: C
Ethnicity concerns shared ancestry and cultural tradition, not nationality or religion alone. No mark for any other option.
Up to 2 marks per reason (1 mark for a valid reason, 1 further mark for development that explains how or why). Maximum 4 marks. Do not credit the same reason given twice in different words. Indicative content:
1 mark for identifying a valid way, 1 further mark for development explaining how or why it has that effect. Maximum 2 marks. A single point repeated without development scores 1. Indicative content:
1 mark for each of two acceptable points, maximum 2 marks. No development required. Do not credit the same point twice in different words. Accept any of:
1 mark for any one acceptable role. Accept any of:
Up to 2 marks per difference (1 mark for stating a difference, 1 further mark for development). Maximum 4 marks. Both sides of the comparison must be clear for the development mark. Indicative content:
1 mark each for any three acceptable points, maximum 3 marks. Each must be distinct; do not credit the same point twice in different words. Accept any of:
Correct Answer: A
Probation officers supervise offenders in the community and support rehabilitation. No mark for any other option.
1 mark for each of two acceptable points, maximum 2 marks. No development required. Do not credit the same point twice in different words. Accept any of:
1 mark each for any three acceptable points, maximum 3 marks. Each must be distinct; do not credit the same point twice in different words. Accept any of:
1 mark for identifying a valid way, 1 further mark for development explaining how or why it has that effect. Maximum 2 marks. A single point repeated without development scores 1. Indicative content:
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