Assessment Objectives are a way of allocating marks on the basis of skills demonstrated in students’ work. Understanding the Assessment Objectives used in A Level Politics is the best way to boost your grade. You can then learn how to apply them to your own writing. The highest-marked answers will show evidence of all three AOs throughout their writing.
Paper 1, 2 and 3: all 30-mark essay and source questions (sources on Paper 1&2 only)
- AO1: 10 marks
- AO2: 10 marks
- AO3: 10 marks
Paper 1 and 2: 24-mark political ideas essays
- AO1: 8 marks
- AO2: 8 marks
- AO3: 8 marks
Paper 3: 12-mark questions
- AO1: 6 marks
- AO2: 6 marks
AO1: Knowledge
“Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues.”
It’s important to remember here that AO1 covers both knowledge and understanding, and there is a difference between the two. For example, the difference between knowing what that parliament is sovereign, and understanding this means that parliament can make and unmake any law it wishes to.
Knowledge and understanding lay the foundation of an answer, and all other AOs flow from this one. You cannot achieve high marks on an essay without accurate and consistent factual knowledge. The best way to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding is by using examples and definitions.
