Preparing for your A Level Sociology mock exams can feel like an overwhelming task when you first get started. With a lot of theorists, perspectives and examples to remember, along with strict exam techniques to master, it’s natural to feel a little overwhelmed.
However, mocks are your best opportunity to “fail safe”: to test your timing and structure before the real exams in the summer. Here is Study Dog’s guide to mastering your A Level Sociology mock exams and securing those top marks.
Understand the Assessment Objectives (AOs)
The first step to mastering your A Level Sociology mock exams is to think about what the examiner is looking for. Most exam boards (specifically AQA and OCR) mark you on three core objectives:
- AO1: Knowledge and Understanding: Defining terms, naming sociologists, and describing studies.
- AO2: Application: Linking your knowledge directly to the “Item” (the short text provided) or the specific question.
- AO3: Analysis and Evaluation: Weighing up arguments. Does the theory still work today? What do other perspectives say?
Look at the mark schemes included with A Level Sociology past papers and see how the Assessment Objectives are spread out over the different question types. This will allow you to understand how the essays in your A Level Sociology mock exams will be marked.
Mastering Question Structures
The secret to smashing your A Level Sociology mock exams isn’t just knowing the content; it’s knowing how to write it persuasively. Use the table below as a quick cheat sheet for your timing and approach.
| Question Type | Focus | Strategy |
| 10 Mark (No Item) | Depth of Knowledge | Two “PEEL” paragraphs. No introduction or conclusion needed. |
| 10 Mark (With Item) | Application | Two paragraphs. You must quote or paraphrase from the Item to get full marks. |
| 20/30 Mark Essay | Debate & Evaluation | Introduction, 3–5 “PEEL” paragraphs, and a clear, evaluative conclusion. |
The “PEEL” Method for Essays
For every paragraph in your long-form answers, follow this flow:
- Point: State a clear reason or factor (“One way the education system reproduces class inequality is through the hidden curriculum.”)
- Evidence/Explanation: Mention a key theorist or study (such as Bowles and Gintis).
- Evaluation: Criticise the point. What are the limitations? (“However, Willis’ study of the ‘lads’ suggests that students are not always passive puppets of the system.”)
- Link: Connect it back to the specific wording of the question. (“Therefore, this demonstrates how the hidden curriculum can influence the reproduction of class inequality in the education system.”)
Using theorists to your advantage
Regardless of the topic (Education, Crime, or Families), you need these theories fresh in your mind for your A Level Sociology mock exams:
Functionalism
- Key Thinkers: Durkheim, Parsons, Davis & Moore.
- Core Idea: Society is like a biological organism; every part has a function to maintain “value consensus” and social order.
- Mock Tip: Use this as your starting point for “positive” views on institutions.
Marxism
- Key Thinkers: Marx, Althusser, Bowles & Gintis.
- Core Idea: Society is based on class conflict. Institutions exist to serve the “Bourgeoisie” (ruling class) and keep the “Proletariat” (working class) in a state of false class consciousness.
- Mock Tip: Great for evaluating Functionalist views on meritocracy.
Feminism
- Key Thinkers: Oakley, Sharpe, Ansley.
- Core Idea: Society is patriarchal. Whether it’s the “Triple Shift” in the family or the “Glass Ceiling” in work, look for how gender inequality is maintained.
Interactionism
- Key Thinkers: Becker, Goffman.
- Core Idea: Don’t just look at big structures; look at small-scale labels. “Labelling theory” is essential for both Education and Crime & Deviance.
Don’t Forget the “Item”
The biggest mistake students make in their A Level Sociology mock exams is ignoring the included material. In 10, 20, and 30-mark questions that include an “Item,” the examiner has literally given you the “hooks” for your answer.
The best way to do this is to quote from the item in your answer directly. Use phrases like “As suggested in Item A…” or “The Item mentions X, which can be seen in the work of Y…” to guarantee your AO2 marks.
Plan out your revision
We often talk at Study Dog about the need to plan revision in advance, and this also applies to your A Level Sociology mock exams. Set out times during the holidays and between your exams to ensure you cover all of the topics that you are uncomfortable with. Make sure to vary between topics you enjoy and those you struggle with, as this will ensure you stay on track with your revision.
Take Your Revision to the Next Level
Mocks are the dress rehearsal, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t important. Take away the feedback from your A Level Sociology mock exams and make sure you act on it.
Study Dog offers comprehensive course notes, interactive quizzes on all of the core topics, and model answers so you can see how a top-level answer is written, ready for your A Level Sociology mock exams.
Ready to ace your A Level Sociology mock exams? Sign up for a Study Dog membership today and get instant access to our multimedia revision resources.
