AS SociologyAS Sociology

Exam TechniqueExam Technique

Assessment objectivesAssessment objectives AO1: knowledge, and understanding.AO1: knowledge, and understanding.

Know some of the theories, methods and concepts that Know some of the theories, methods and concepts that sociologists have used and studies they have done. sociologists have used and studies they have done.

AO2: identification, interpretation, analysis and AO2: identification, interpretation, analysis and evaluation.evaluation.

Recognise what you need to include, select what you Recognise what you need to include, select what you know and apply it with relevance, explain what the know and apply it with relevance, explain what the question involves, link your knowledge to the item question involves, link your knowledge to the item and use relevant examples.and use relevant examples.

Analysis involves breaking down an argument Analysis involves breaking down an argument into the ideas that make it up and show how into the ideas that make it up and show how they fit together. AND organising your essays they fit together. AND organising your essays with a focused logical line of reasoning.with a focused logical line of reasoning.

Evaluation – looking at ‘for’ and ‘againsts’ Evaluation – looking at ‘for’ and ‘againsts’ and examining a theory and linking it to a and examining a theory and linking it to a perspective.perspective.

Of course the two objectives overlap in Of course the two objectives overlap in practice. practice.

General AdviceGeneral Advice You must answer all questionsYou must answer all questions The exam lasts for 1Hr 15 minsThe exam lasts for 1Hr 15 mins Use the items for clues of what to includeUse the items for clues of what to include You can do the questions almost backwards spending approx You can do the questions almost backwards spending approx

50 minutes on the two essay questions, (20-25 mins each) then 50 minutes on the two essay questions, (20-25 mins each) then do the rest starting with a. (in practice the small questions do the rest starting with a. (in practice the small questions might not take that long so you can spend more on e and f.might not take that long so you can spend more on e and f.

Aim to write about ¾ of a side on a, b and c combined. Don’t Aim to write about ¾ of a side on a, b and c combined. Don’t write too much on these as you can waffle and give unclear write too much on these as you can waffle and give unclear answers. answers.

Spend the rest of the time on question d.Spend the rest of the time on question d.

( a ) 2 Marks( a ) 2 Marks

What does ________ mean?What does ________ mean? You need to give a clear explanation / You need to give a clear explanation /

definition of the term. It will be in the item so definition of the term. It will be in the item so read it carefully.read it carefully.

Avoid repeating the term and an example is Avoid repeating the term and an example is not enough.not enough.

( b ) 4 marks( b ) 4 marks

This will ask to ‘identify’ or ‘suggest’.This will ask to ‘identify’ or ‘suggest’. Identify – state from your knowledgeIdentify – state from your knowledge Suggest – put something forward. – there Suggest – put something forward. – there

doesn’t have to be definite evidence. doesn’t have to be definite evidence. Sometimes you might be asked to Sometimes you might be asked to explain the explain the

difference or similaritydifference or similarity between two things. between two things.

You need to define/ explain each so you can You need to define/ explain each so you can bring out the difference. bring out the difference.

( c ) 6 marks( c ) 6 marks

Identify and suggest three pointsIdentify and suggest three points One sentence for each part will be fineOne sentence for each part will be fine Refer to the item to get your answer in context.Refer to the item to get your answer in context. Put an extra point down if you are not sure if Put an extra point down if you are not sure if

one of them is right. (but you will use up more one of them is right. (but you will use up more time)time)

( d ) 8 marks( d ) 8 marks

‘‘identify and briefly explain two things’ (or identify and briefly explain two things’ (or describe)describe)

The two things might be reasons, problems, The two things might be reasons, problems, criticisms, examples, ways, policies etc.criticisms, examples, ways, policies etc.

You will get two marks for each plus two for You will get two marks for each plus two for explaining.explaining.

Set out your answer by leaving a line between Set out your answer by leaving a line between points.points.

Make sure your points are clearly different. Make sure your points are clearly different.

E and fE and f

For the mini essay 14 marks are allocated for For the mini essay 14 marks are allocated for knowledge and understanding and 6 marks knowledge and understanding and 6 marks allocated for interpretation, analysis and allocated for interpretation, analysis and evaluation.evaluation.

Each is worth a third of the total marks for the Each is worth a third of the total marks for the paper. paper.

You can do these questions first as they carry You can do these questions first as they carry the most marks. As long as you label your the most marks. As long as you label your answers it does not matter to the examiner.answers it does not matter to the examiner.

( e) 20 marks( e) 20 marks Asks you to ‘examine’ something – need to look Asks you to ‘examine’ something – need to look

closely, consider its different aspects or features in closely, consider its different aspects or features in detail. You need to show you have a good knowledge detail. You need to show you have a good knowledge and understanding of the relevant material and the and understanding of the relevant material and the issues raised by the question. issues raised by the question.

Write about a Write about a rangerange of reasons of reasons Write a solid paragraph for each main point using Write a solid paragraph for each main point using

relevant studies and theories. relevant studies and theories. Knowledge must be your own not from the itemKnowledge must be your own not from the item

( f ) 20 marks( f ) 20 marks Asks you to assess a theory, method or Asks you to assess a theory, method or

explanation. explanation. Assess means evaluate. Assess means evaluate. You You mustmust use the material from the item(s) use the material from the item(s) You can quote from the item but make sure You can quote from the item but make sure

you build on it by linking it to the question and you build on it by linking it to the question and your own knowledge. your own knowledge.

You also need to use material from You also need to use material from elsewhere elsewhere - - you won’t find everything you need in the you won’t find everything you need in the item!item!