EXAM ADVICE 

WHAT EXAMS DO I HAVE TO DO ? 

HOW AM I ASSESSED? 

THE 3 GREAT ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES

When you answer the AS /A2 Papers examiners are looking for key elements. They are looking for:

• Political knowledge and understanding.
• The ability to analyse, evaluate and argue your point
• Ability to write within a clearly structured format with a good quality of communication. These are all assessed under three Assessment objectives: 
  

1. Assessment Objective 1 (AO1) :  Assessing your political and factual knowledge (looking for key words / evidence of detailed knowledge and understanding) 
2. Assessment Objective 2 (AO2) : Assessing your skill in analysing, evaluating and arguing your point in a question. 
3. Assessment Objective 3 (AO3) : This assesses the actual quality of your written communication - your use of appropriate political terms / Grammar,  Spelling and structure.  

REMEMBER these three objectives when you are answering any questions - Have I used enough knowledge? Have I explained myself well? Have I used the right political terms? Have I written in a clear and well argued way? 

WHAT TYPES OF QUESTIONS WILL I BE ASKED AT AS LEVEL? 

There are several types of questions which will come up on your exams. The best way to prepare yourself is to look over and practice past papers. This will get you in the right frame of answering questions.


NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICS: AS 1 

With the Northern Ireland paper there are 3 questions to answer - TWO based on a Source/s  and one Analytical essay based question.  They are worth 8, 16 and 26 marks for each question. 

QUESTION 1:  (8 POINTER) SOURCE BASED DESCRIPTIVE SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:   (AO1/2) 

• You will have to USE THE SOURCE AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE to IDENTIFY and explain elements within the source 
• These  are designed to test your Political knowledge (AO1) and knowledge. They usually are limited to TWO points - commit yourself to finding two clear points and explaining them well. 
• Examples :   With reference to the source and your own knowledge explain what are TWO functions of MLA's 
• RECOMMENDED TIME: 12 MINUTES

QUESTION 2: (16 POINTER) SOURCE BASED DESCRIPTIVE LONGER ANSWER QUESTIONS:   (AO1 /2 /3 ) 

• You will have to USE THE SOURCE AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE to IDENTIFY and explain more open ended areas of Government 
• These  are designed to test your Political knowledge (AO1) and Analytical skill (AO2)  They require more answers and  explanation 
• Examples :      With reference to the source and your own knowledge explain how the executive committee is formed 
• RECOMMENDED TIME: 18 MINUTES

QUESTION 3: (26 POINTER) ESSAY BASED ANALYTICAL QUESTION:   (AO1 /2 /3 ) 

• You will have a choice of two to choose from
• In the past these have tended to focus on analysing party shifts / strengths / weaknesses/ They could also be on the health of the Assembly? Success of the Good Friday agreement / Analysis of the electoral systems. Be prepared for this one and plan your structure well.  
• These  are designed to test your Political knowledge (AO1) Analytical skill (AO2) and ability to construct a clearly structured argument. They require detailed structure and analysis.
• Examples :      Assess the Legislative record of the Assembly since 2007 ?  Assess the view that Northern Ireland is now a two party state?  Assess the view that the DUP is now the dominant party of Unionism? Assess the record of the Assembly to hold the Executive to account since 2007?  Assess the reasons for the increased support for Sinn Fein since 1994?  
• RECOMMENDED TIME: 35 MINUTES

BRITISH POLITICS: AS 2 

QUESTION 1:  (4 POINTER)  DESCRIPTIVE SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:   (AO1) 

• You will have to IDENTIFY 2 ELEMENTS  (ie: Roles / Weaknesses / Strengths) 
• These  are designed to test your Political knowledge (AO1) and are worth smaller amount of marks as they require direct answers and not as much detailed explanation or argument. 
• Examples :     Identify TWO roles of the Party Whips? (4)    Identify and explain THO types of Peer in the House of Lords? (4)

QUESTION 2:  (6 POINTER)  DESCRIPTIVE  AND EXPLANATORY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:   (AO1 / 2) 

• You will have to EXPLAIN WHAT IS MEANT BY key terms or elements  (ie: Roles / Weaknesses / Strengths) 
• These  are designed to test your Political knowledge (AO1) and Analytical skill (AO2)  They require direct answers and a little explanation 
• Examples :      What is Judicial Review? (6)      What is meant by the term backbench rebellion? (6)  What is meant by the term Private Members Bill? (6)

QUESTION 3:  (10 POINTER)  STRENGTHS / WEAKNESSES ANALYSIS:   (AO1 / 2 /3) 

• You will have to EXPLAIN TWO STRENGTHS / WEAKNESSES  of a political institution  (ie: HOL/ Select Committees/ House of Commons) 
• These  are designed to test your Political knowledge (AO1) and Analytical skill (AO2)  They require direct answers and argumentative skill. 
• Examples :      Explain two strengths of the HOL? (10)      Explain two weaknesses of the HOL? (10)  Explain two criticisms of Select committees? (10)

QUESTION 4:  (16  POINTER)  POLITICAL ANALYSIS:   (AO1 / 2 / 3) 

• You will have to ANALYSE  AND EXPLAIN an element of Government 
• These  are designed to test your Political knowledge (AO1) and Analytical skill (AO2) Political Communication (AO3) They require direct answers and argumentative skill. 
• Examples :      Explain how select committees can act as a check on Government? (16)      Explain how the PM can control cabinet? (16)  

QUESTION 5:  (24  POINTER)  ESSAY - FULL POLITICAL ANALYSIS:   (AO1 / 2 / 3) 

• You will have a CHOICE OF ESSAY QUESTIONS (Choose one of two) 
• You will have an open ended statement to analyse and argue. 
  
• Always keep this balanced. You may want to argue one side of an argument BUT show you know there are two sides. 
• Use paragraphs to clearly structure and break up your arguments. 
• Examples would be:  Analyse the main factors which limit the effectiveness of Parliament?  Evaluate the need for further reform of the House of Lords? Make a case for and against reforming the electoral system?  The Prime Minister now has Prime Ministerial powers? Discuss the validity of this statement?  The Judiciary remains an important check on government - discuss the validity of this statement? 

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The Politics course is ALL about, expressing yourself, analysing and showing everyone your amazing knowledge of politics! This is an AS which is 100% exam so tackling essays is going to be key!

These are just a few quick and easy steps to set you on the road to being the next Jeremy Paxman or Natasha Kaplinsky!